Academy for Arts, Science & Technology - Kelly Murphy - 12th grade
She was nominated by her guidance counselor, Lisa Aglietti.

Kelly is a student who would inspire and motivate any young person. The youngest of three children, and the only girl, she has taken on the responsibility of caring for her mother throughout a lengthy and painful illness. When her mother was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, she and her mother moved back to New York to be near family and friends while she received her initial treatment. This required Kelly to spend the second semester of her sophomore year in another school. She was able to return to Horry County and begin classes at AAST in the fall of 2009. Since returning, her mother continued to have grueling treatment sessions and Kelly was often responsible for taking her to appointments and caring for her afterward. Despite carrying the heaviest of burdens, Kelly is one of the most positive, upbeat, and generous young women I have ever met. She has excellent grades, many great friends, and a heart that does not stop giving. Kelly will be attending college in the fall of 2011 to study Biology

Kelly is the winner of a $2,000 Wireless Alliance Scholarship.

Academy for Technology & Academics - Shekinah Brunt - 11th grade
She was nominated by her Health Science Instructor, Janet Hodge.

Shekinah Brunt is an outstanding, young lady who has had her life turned upside down this past year. She moved from Georgia to South Carolina to live with her Mom and her Aunt. Then her Mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer last year, received chemotherapy, and then had a stroke after the last treatment. Shekinah was at home that day and called 911. Her brother was at work and her Dad did not live with them. The Mom was in a coma for two months and required lots of rehabilitation to learn how to do everything again. Then Shekinah’s grandmother had a massive heart attack in March 2009. Her father died in November and Shekinah had to return to Georgia. She and her brother had to make the funeral arrangements. They discovered that there was no money to bury the Dad and he was taken by the state. To this day, they do not know where he is buried or if he was cremated. Shekinah had a sickle cell crisis related to stress after all of this occurred. Then they discovered her gallbladder was inflamed. She continues to persevere, help care for her Mom, make good grades in school, and serve as the student organization, Heath Occupations Students of America, junior president.

Aynor High School - Brett Cooksey - 11th grade
He was nominated by his teacher, Melissa Lewis.

Brett Cooksey is a fine young man at Aynor High School who has done very well with his academics and personal growth even as he has had to deal with Aspergers and Type 1 Diabetes. At the start of his high school years, Brett was very uncomfortable with groups of people and social situations. In the past, he has had some unpleasant experiences with some people but this has not stopped Brett from moving forward. Through the years, Brett has shown great growth with interpersonal relationships and group situations. Academics have been another area of growth for Brett. Over the last two years, he has gone from making a mix of D’s, C’s, B’s, and A’s to A’s and one B this year. He is also taking two AP classes and one honors class. Brett does not feel that he is at a disadvantage; in fact, he has stated that he credits his Aspergers to his success in school. He has a great insight into what it means to have Aspergers. He lives it. I believe we could all learn a great deal about ourselves and Brett by hearing about who he is. He has a unique perspective. He once said to me that even if there was a magic cure for Aspergers, he would not want it. He accepts who he is and in a perfect world wishes everyone else would too.

Carolina Forest High - Becca Adams - 12th grade
She was nominated by her guidance counselor, Kathy Henderson.

Written by Becca: When I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at age 8, I had to learn to grow up faster than most 8-year-olds. I continued to attend school with all that was going on but got really sick in high school. I have been on homebound three and a half years of the four of high school. I was able to attend the first half of last year but ended up in and out of the hospital. I try my hardest with all of my school work and manage to get good grades. I am currently being treated at Duke University.

Conway High School - Anna Crosby - 11th grade
She was nominated by her teacher, Tracey Hall.

Anna Crosby moved to Conway from an abusive biological family to live with relatives. However, again she was faced with an abusive family life. About two years ago, she was adopted by a wonderful family and is doing extremely well. Having faced many obstacles in her life, Anna remains a positive person. Anna is a strong Christian knowing that she must always remain in God’s will for her life and always do everything for His glory. She is very involved in her church youth group and Praise Team. She assists with children’s church, helping with the music program. She sings at various churches for different occasions.

Green Sea Floyds High - Colby Hodge - 10th grade
He was nominated by his teacher, Gail Williamson.

Every day before metal detector started, Colby greeted everyone at the door wishing them a good day, brightening the day for adults and students alike. He takes students in his class “under his wing” looking out for them. Colby is known by everyone in school and never misses a day of school. Colby was born with Arrskog Syndrome which affects his mental and physical development. He has been on growth hormones since he was five. He excels in the academics taught in his classroom. Colby loves any kind of music and looking at “the girls”.

Loris High School - Danielle Strickland - 12th grade
She was nominated by her Army JROTC teacher, Sgt. Phillip Gaillard.

Danielle Strickland has always been a dependable and trustworthy person. She is in mostly honors classes and has always participated in sports. She is an overall hardworking person. She is also in the Army National Guard which she joined at age 17. Recently, she has endured the loss of her father. They were very close and through it she has continued to keep her grades up and show excellent leadership in her Army JROTC class.

Myrtle Beach High - Robert Church - 12th grade
He was nominated by his guidance counselor, Cookie Goings.

When you look into the eyes of this round faced boy with the huge smile, one would never know the emotional pain he has suffered. Robert Church lost BOTH parents at a very young age. He is the youngest of four siblings, so his memories of them are a little shallow; however, he does remember he was loved very much by both. After the death of his mom and dad, he and his three siblings were reared in a very spiritual and supportive home with their grandparents. The Church family once again suffered another major loss when Robert’s grandfather died when he was in middle school. In spite of their loss, the Church children and their grandmother stayed together and it appeared they were even stronger. Last year, Robert’s Grandma Sarah and matriarch of the family lost her earthly battle with cancer. But once again, they have chosen to stay together! Robert and his second brother live with his sister, her husband and their kids in their grandparent’s home. His oldest brother is now married and they have just become parents of baby girl. However, his big brother has been parenting long before now. He has been the glue in the fabric which has kept this family together. Although he is married, he and his wife are a present force in the lives of Robert and his siblings. Because of the love and support from ALL of his siblings, Robert Church is one of the most well-mannered and gifted students of Myrtle Beach High School. He is highly respected among his peers and faculty/staff. His humble spirit, strong work ethic, big heart and huge smile will all contribute to his success.

Robert is the winner of the 2011 Meagan Conner Award, REEL Kids' highest honor.

North Myrtle Beach High - Tamara Clark - 11th grade
She was nominated by her guidance counselor, Beth Brown.

Tamara Clark was born with physical deformities. She has two fingers on each hand. She is missing toes and her teeth never properly developed. She has gone through a total mouth reconstruction. She has been picked on in her life due to her hands, but she has not let it hold her back. She makes all A’s and B’s. She has the most beautiful handwriting, and wants to become a nurse to “pay it forward” in return for all those who helped her.

Tamara is the winner of the 2011 Taylor McKinney Award for Courage.

Socastee High School - Brittney Johnson - 11th grade
She was nominated by her guidance counselor, Eva Gaddy.

On October 16, 2007, Brittney Johnson witnessed the murder of her mother by her father. Her mother passed away and her father is now serving 30 years for this horrendous act. Brittney and her brother were taken in my relatives and in August 2008, she started Socastee High. She struggles emotionally everyday of her life, but instead of giving in, she excels. She has been an active member of the band flag line for three years and will continue as a senior. She has maintained great grades and has over a 3.0 GPA. Brittney is also an active member of the Poplar United Methodist Church in Conway. She attends regularly, is in the MYF program and sings in the choir.