Cory White Awards Recognizes Students Who Make a Difference

Observer Reports

Twenty-one middle and high school students were recently honored by the Anderson County Human Relations Council (HRC) for their efforts to promote acceptance and diversity within the school community.  Students, their families, school and government officials were treated with an award dinner and presentation ceremony at the Anderson Civic Center in Anderson.

The HRC established the Cory White Diversity Award in memory of the student designer of its logo, Cory White. This annual award spotlights a student nominated by teachers and other school officials from each of Anderson County’s middle and high schools. These students have positively affected their peers, teachers, and/or school staff in the areas of human rights, special needs, and disabilities, and/or cultural inclusion and acceptance, qualities all exemplified by Cory White. Cory was known for his ability and efforts to reach out to those who were alone, shy, or ignored.

Recipients:

District One:  Victoria Riddle (Palmetto High), Harper Koon (Palmetto Middle), Karina Melendrez (Powdersville High), Madelyn Harrell (Powdersville Middle), Saniya Fields (Wren High), Brice Shelley (Wren Middle)

District Two:  Kamarion Glenn (Belton Middle), Caleb Guest (Honea Path Middle), Ava King (Belton-Honea Path High)

District Three:  Paola Ruiz Rosario (Starr-Iva Middle), Nevaeh Hammond (Crescent High)

District Four: Naomi Anderson (Riverside Middle), Zy’Adriya Johnson (Pendleton High)

District Five: Emerson Fletcher (Glenview Middle), Lucy Gray (McCants Middle), Jazmone Groves (Robert Anderson Middle), Elijah Williams (Southwood Academy of the Arts), Grace Ikenegbu (T. L. Hanna High), Sendy Normil (Westside High), Rae Willis (Anderson Five Charter School)

Haley Eaton (Renaissance Academy)