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    REEL Kids 2007

          • K - 5th Grade
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HTC REEL Kids 2007

On Thursday, May 24, forty-seven Horry County Schools' students were honored during the REEL Kids luncheon at the Holiday Inn West sponsored by HTC. These forty-seven students have proven themselves through scholastic, athletic and community achievements in the face of obstacles or extenuating circumstances and have been recognized by their schools as winners of the HTC REEL Kids (Recognizing Extraordinary Examples of Leadership) award.

For the seventh consecutive year, HTC has hosted the HTC REEL Kids program to honor students who may otherwise be overlooked. These students are worthy of such great recognition for their outstanding leadership qualities through special circumstances. All schools in Horry County, grades primary through 12th, were encouraged to participate by nominating an extraordinary student, and for the seventh year, all Horry County Schools are represented.

"When we receive the nominations from the schools and read about the trials these young people have endured, we are humbled," said Nicole Hyman, senior marketing coordinator for HTC. "These REEL Kids have struggled through physical disabilities, learning disabilities, and loss of loved ones, disease, emotional problems, abuse, abandonment and so much more. The most remarkable fact is that the REEL Kids have overcome what some would have seen as stumbling blocks."

The HTC REEL Kids program began in the fall of 2000 and was created to recognize one student per school who has overcome a significant obstacle in their life. Guidance counselors were asked to nominate these students and one child from each school in Horry County was awarded the HTC REEL Kids award. The nomination form also asked the counselor to describe how the nominee has proven him/herself through scholastic, athletic and community achievements in the face of obstacles or extenuating circumstances. The guidance counselor and principal signed off on the information provided, and the parent/guardian gave permission for all personal and academic information to be released publicly by HTC in its efforts to recognize and describe award winners for this honor.

As part of becoming an HTC REEL Kid, each child along with his/her teacher, principal or guidance counselor was interviewed for an HTC REEL Kids segment that airs each Friday during the local talk show, RiverTalk. Each child's inspiring story of overcoming adversity was shared during the interview.

"The REEL Kids program is one of the many highlights of the year for us at HTC. We are amazed at the amount of maturity these children possess and can see how tough times have made them stronger. During the interviews, the REEL Kids give advice to those who are going through difficult situations and urge others above all to never give up," said Hyman.

An awards luncheon was held at the Holiday Inn West in Myrtle Beach on May 24th, to honor each student. HTC invited ESPN's ESPY Award-Winning Wrestler, Kyle Maynard, to share how his "No Excuses" philosophy helps him meet the numerous challenges that confront him daily and how they too can overcome the great challenges in their own lives - and succeed. Born without most of his limbs, award winning wrestler, Kyle Maynard, turned limitations into opportunities for achievement. Read Kyle's Bio >> Following Kyle's presentation, HTC awarded medals to each winner for their accomplishments. The Meagan Conner Award and Taylor McKinney Award for Courage winners were announced at the end of the ceremony.

Kyle Maynard

Meagan Conner Award During the first season of HTC REEL Kids, Meagan Conner, Loris High School’s REEL Kid, was battling cancer. It was a battle she lost just four months after the REEL Kids luncheon. Her story touched everyone that year and we continue to pay tribute to her life by honoring one REEL Kid each year with this award. A special committee selects one outstanding REEL Kid who made a lasting impression at the time of the interview, a REEL Kid who displays strong character, determination and perseverance. The objective of the Meagan Conner award is not to choose a student based on the severity of the obstacle, but rather the strength of their character, the degree of their determination, and the duration of their perseverance.

2007 Meagan Conner Award Winner - Lucas Snyder

Taylor McKinney Award for Courage Last school year, Waccamaw Elementary teachers, Dawn Haithcock and Sandy Drose nominated 4th grader, Taylor McKinney, to represent their school as an HTC REEL Kid. Taylor battled leukemia from the time she was five years old and sustained several bone marrow transplants to survive. Although she was in remission for several years, on October 4, 2005, she passed away. HTC and Waccamaw Elementary made the decision to honor Taylor McKinney with the award posthumously. In honor of this courageous young lady, HTC has created a new REEL Kid award. This award will be presented to a REEL Kid only in the most extraordinary of situations; a case in which courage overcomes fear and a REEL Kid emerges. The honorary award is presented to the family of Taylor McKinney and will hereafter be known as The Taylor McKinney Award for Courage.

2007 Taylor McKinney Award for Courage - Carolyn Petrick