• Cox Recognizes Inspirational Student Heroes in Okaloosa County

    Yesterday, Cox Communications hosted the annual Cox Inspirational Student Hero Awards in Okaloosa County, recognizing 37 students who have overcome extreme hardships in their lives. The Heroes were recognized at a ceremony on Wednesday, May 10, at Northwest Florida State College in Niceville. 
     
    “Hearing the struggles these students have endured reminds us how difficult life can be, but our response to those adversities is what really matters,” said Cox Gulf Coast Market vice president David Deliman.  “It’s our honor to recognize these students for everything they’ve accomplished in their young lives. They’re true heroes and deserve their time in the spotlight.”
     
    “We appreciate Cox Communications for hosting this event each year,” stated Okaloosa Superintendent Marcus Chambers. “It is always touching to hear the students’ stories and a reminder of why we as educators do what we do.” 
     
    The students were chosen by a committee of leaders at their school, due to their resilience in the face of adversity.  Whether they have overcome a loss of a family member, medical issue, difficult family situation or other hardship, they did so with a positive attitude and continued to encourage and inspire others around them.  
     
    During the event, Cox presented the students with a personalized engraved medallion and certificates of honor. The students were also presented with certificates of achievement from Congressman Matt Gaetz, State Senators Doug Broxson and Jay Trumbull and State Representatives Michelle Salzman, Joel Rudman and Patt Maney. They also received congratulatory letters from United States Senator Rick Scott, United States Senator Marco Rubio, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.   
     
    The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners also honored the students with a proclamation naming May 2023 as Cox Inspirational Student Hero Month in Okaloosa County. 


     
    Okaloosa County’s Cox Inspirational Student Heroes for 2023 are:
     
    1. Antioch Elementary School - Damaree Wilkins
    2. Baker School - Brayshawn Baker
    3. Bluewater Elementary School - Donovan Roland
    4. Bob Sikes Elementary School - Carson Newman
    5. Bruner Middle School - Ryan Linder
    6. Choctawhatchee High School - Alyssa Crawford
    7. Crestview High School - Izzy Hicks
    8. Davidson Middle School - Addison Maneen
    9. Destin Elementary School - River Lee Miller
    10. Destin Middle School - Mariia Iasinska
    11. Edge Elementary School - Zakaria Williamson
    12. Edwins Elementary School - Adrien Asque
    13. Eglin Elementary School - Emmy Liufau
    14. Elliott Point Elementary School - Anna McNamara
    15. Florosa Elementary School - Ariana Najera
    16. Fort Walton Beach High School - Dominik Quesnel
    17. Kenwood Elementary School - Genevieve Banks
    18. Laurel Hill School - Jalion Smiley
    19. Lewis School - Nathan White
    20. Longwood Elementary School - Enrique Lopez
    21. Meigs Middle School - Susie Garcia
    22. Niceville High School - Erik Sirmans
    23. Northwest Florida Ballet Academie - Zoey Kocher
    24. Northwood Elementary School - Miguel Rodriguez
    25. Okaloosa STEMM Academy - Diego Rodriguez-Mundo
    26. Plew Elementary School - Aiden Tupper
    27. Pryor Middle School - Tinika Jackson
    28. Richburg School - Alli Drake
    29. Riverside Elementary School - Haley Markheim
    30. Ruckel Middle School - Hailey Grisamore
    31. Shalimar Elementary School - Charlotte Schindler
    32. Shoal River Middle School - Marie Fensler
    33. Shoal River Middle School - Azana Jackson
    34. Silver Sands School - Destiny Gay
    35. Southside Primary School - Cayden Stevick
    36. Walker Elementary School - Ayden Foley
    37. Wright Elementary School - Esther Rodriguez
     
    The Cox Inspirational Student Hero Awards program began 30 years ago in New Orleans, Louisiana.  The program has spread to other Cox markets in the Southeast Region.  To date, Cox has recognized nearly 4,700 students from Lafayette, Louisiana, to Gainesville, Florida.  

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