NEW ORLEANS – Cox Communications New Orleans paid tribute to 124 student heroes who lead meaningful, productive lives, while working very hard to overcome personal adversities at its 25th Annual Cox Inspirational Heroes Program Tuesday, April 25, at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner, Louisiana.
Each spring, all public, private and parochial schools in the parishes of Jefferson, Orleans, St. Bernard and St. Charles nominate one student hero from within their school. Through the Cox Inspirational Heroes Program, Cox has recognized more than 3,000 incredible students (K-12) who have made overwhelming achievements despite their physical, emotional, psychological or social challenges faced on a daily basis, Cox reps said. Challenges include academic difficulties, physical challenges, mental/emotional challenges, serious illness, family adversities, substance abuse, cultural transitions, language transitions and behavioral disorders. Guests of the recognition program include district superintendents, administrators, educators, parents and family members.
“We are so excited to be celebrating 25 years of honoring our area’s unsung student heroes, who come from many different walks of life, have faced many challenges and range in ages from five to 19,” said Steve Sawyer, director of Government and Public Affairs for Cox. “Our heroes have overcome so much in their young lives, while exhibiting inner peace and strength of character. They truly serve as an inspiration to us all.”
A central theme of the event was taken from a quote by Booker T. Washington, “Success is measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles that one has overcome while trying to succeed.” A short bio was read aloud for each hero as he or she was honored on stage at the breakfast awards ceremony. Each student received a certificate of achievement and a commemorative Cox Inspirational Heroes plaque.
The 2017 Cox Inspirational Heroes included:
Jasriel Alvarez, St. Rose Elementary
Joseph Amedio, Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy
Dominic Arthur, T.H. Harris Middle School
Jackson Audibert, Marie Riviere Elementary
Alejandro Banegas, Grace King High School
Gabriela Bencomo, Live Oak Manor Elementary
Donovan Bentley, Lincoln School for the Arts
William Black, St. Christopher School
Alyssa Bovie, Adams Middle School
Macie Bridges, Marrero Academy for Advanced Studies
Ethan Brown, Gretna Middle School
Rhomad Brown, ReNEW Schaumburg Elementary
Valery Buquoi, Chateau Estates School
James Burks, New Orleans and Maritime Academy
Rashaad Butler, Rudolph Matas School
John Calandro, Hazel Park/Hilda Knoff Elementary
Miley Carbo, Benjamin Franklin Elementary
Davone Carter, ARISE Academy
Adam Cavignac, A.C. Alexander Elementary
Peyton Charles, Estelle Elementary
Austin Christian, Thomas Jefferson High School
Kristen Clement, Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy
Nikki Cloud, Eleanor McMain Secondary School
Krysten Craft, Gretna No. 2 Academy for Advanced Studies
America Creig, Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary
Skye Crusto, Mary D. Coghill Charter School
Patrick Davis, Martin Behrman Charter School
Dayja Davis, Phoebe Hearst Elementary School
Edinson Deras, Shirley Johnson/Gretna Park Elementary
Steven Dews, Judge Lionel R. Collins Montessori
Alex Donato, Airline Park Academy
Brayden Duhon, Leo Kerner Elementary
Kasey Dumas, J. B. Martin Middle School
Steven Durr, Arabi Elementary
Sereyonce Fatty, Vic Pitre Elementary
Timothy Fleming, JCFA
Sarah Fouquet, Academy of Our Lady
Tyler Foy, Norco Elementary
Demi Francisco, Einstein Charter School-Sherwood Forest
Omarie Frank, Gentilly Terrace Elementary
De'Shaun Frye, John Ehret High School
Danny Gaines, Frederick Douglass Elementary
Isaac Garner, L.B. Landry-O.P. Walker High School
Jaymerson George, Warren Easton Charter School
Tyler Gilmer, Chalmette Elementary
Nevaeh Gilmore, Bonella A. St. Ville Elementary
Jewlez Gittens, Miller Wall Elementary
Tiy-e Green, William Hart Elementary
Teranika Green, Granville T. Woods Elementary
Tyrell Griffin, Dwight D. Eisenhower Academy of Global Studies
Chad Grosch, Lakewood Elementary
Tristan Hebert, J.C. Ellis Elementary
Ximena Hernandez, Bissonet Plaza Elementary
Chance Herron, George Cox Elementary
Sa'Bria Jackson, Harry S. Truman Middle School
Dylan Jackson, Meisler Middle School
Hakia James, Einstein Charter High
Nicolas Jimenez Roque, Helen Cox High School
Tiara Jones, Mahalia Jackson Elementary
Jasmin Jones, Marrero Middle School
Dijanay Jordan, Schaumburg Elementary
Dajon Joseph, Cherbonnier/Rillieux Elementary
Stephanie Juarez, Paul J. Solis Elementary
Macy Klix, Green Park Elementary
Nathan Lansing, Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies
Don Lawrence, International High School of New Orleans
Christina Le, Alice Birney Elementary
Irving Lopez, Grand Isle School
Caleb Lund, Chalmette High School
Rachel Madron, Washington Montessori
Aniya Marsaw, Woodland West
Makayal Matherne, Catherine Strehle Elementary
Denver McClarty, Lake Forest Charter School
Myshalik McDonald, Einstein Charter Middle School
Henri Melancon, Stella Worley Middle School
Christopher Moore, Jefferson Elementary
Cameron Morales, Allen Ellender School
Dominic Morgan, Allemands Elementary
Bry'lyn Moses, Luling Elementary
Chance Mullin, Riverdale Middle School
Ronald Murphy-Carrasco, Harahan Elementary
Grace Murray, Ethel Schoeffner Elementary
Jaraad Nance, Hynes Charter Elementary
Khy Nguyen, Ella C. Pittman Elementary
Diane Nino, Riverdale High School
Karolina Nogues, Mount Carmel Academy
Maheen Noor, Schneckenburger Elementary
Elias Paguada, Terrytown Elementary
Eric Parsa, Harry Hurst Middle School
Kiya Patton, Edna Karr High School
Teyrianne Payne, Trist Middle School
Jan Piedra, John James Audubon Elementary
Jasmine Quinn, JCFA-East
Conner Richard, Raymond K. Smith Middle
Rykia Richardson, Mimosa Park Elementary
A'Mya Robertson, Joshua Butler Elementary
Jaysheena Robinson, JCFA-East
Jose Rodriguez, Bridgedale Elementary
Jovanny Siguenza, Clancy-Maggiore School for the Arts
Remy Singleton, West Jefferson High School
Troy Smallwood, Albert Cammon Middle School
Jaden Sparks, Mildred Harris Elementary
Issac Taplin, W. Smith Elementary
Anthony Taylor, Crescent Leadership Academy Alternative School
Gabriel Tender, Metairie Academy for Advanced Studies
JayQuan Terrell, Destrehan High School
Nicholas Thomas, Fannie C. Williams Charter School
Shiloh Thomasss, Einstein Charter School-Village de l'Est
Kaeli Thurman, Ruppel Academy
Christian Toliver, L. W. Higgins High School
Yexson Torres, Greenlawn Terrace Elementary
Vinny Vallelungo, New Sarpy Elementary
Kenneth Veal, Andrew Wilson Charter School
Ryan Vieregge, Joseph J. Davies Elementary
Miguel Villatoro, Success Preparatory Academy
Isabella Wallace, Cabrini High School
Sarah Wegener, Hahnville High School
Gavin Weigand, McDonogh 26 Elementary
Kendricks West, Arthur Ashe Charter School
Cody Westbrook, R. J. Vial Elementary
Zachary Whitaker, Lacoste Elementary
Randie Williams, Geraldine Boudreaux Elementary
Ken'teria Wilson, Algiers Technology Academy
Logan Zuniga, Harold Keller Elementary