Students recognized for dedication to academic excellence and civic duty
The Best and Brightest Awards recognized Leon County’s most noteworthy seniors from public and private high schools at this year’s ninth annual ceremony. The top 45 students – three winners in each of 15 categories – were recognized Wednesday night for their unparalleled dedication to both community service and academic excellence. In this ninth year of the program, more than $400,000 in scholarships have been awarded to 1,200 students and their schools.
“Leon County boasts truly exceptional students who undoubtedly will go on to be leaders of our city, state and nation,” said Ron Sachs, president of Sachs Media Group. “It is my privilege to help honor these students and encourage community service by young people across the county.”
On March 1, three-judge panels interviewed the school-based winners in the 15 categories to explore each student’s character and volunteer experience. The winner, runner-up and honorable mention honorees in each category were awarded with scholarships at last night’s ceremony.
Thanks to the generosity of the Best and Brightest sponsors, scholarship amounts awarded were $1,500 for winners, $750 for runners-up and $500 for honorable mention honorees. All of the school-based winners receive at least a $100 scholarship for their outstanding achievements, in addition to a Best and Brightest Awards medallion. It is also the fourth year for the Best and Brightest eighth-grade scholarship essay contest, aimed to encourage Leon County’s rising high school students to plan to be involved in service to school and community. The first-place winner of the essay contest was awarded $500, the runner up received $250 and the honorable mention honoree was awarded $100.
“Envision Credit Union is honored to sponsor the Best & Brightest Awards for the ninth consecutive year,” said Darryl Worrell, president and CEO of Envision Credit Union. “The students are truly an inspiration to us all and it is rewarding for us to recognize such superior and dedicated high school seniors.”
The Best and Brightest Awards program is grateful for major underwriting from Envision Credit Union, as well as the Tallahassee Democrat, Sachs Media Group, Credit Union 24, Florida Lottery, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, Mainline Information Systems, Summit Group Commercial Properties, Core Message, Florida League of Cities, ITT Technical Institute and Target Copy. The Awards program also appreciates sponsorship by Publix Super Markets Charities, Springtime Charitable Foundation, Awards4U, Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, 101 Restaurant, WFSU, Leon County Schools and World Class Schools of Leon County.
The Best and Brightest Awards was created in 2005 to recognize seniors from Leon County’s public and private high schools who have excelled in one of 15 academic proficiencies and have demonstrated a long-term commitment to service in their schools and community. For more information, please visit www.TheBestandBrightestAwards.com.