Local students who create a positive culture receive Hero and Extraordinary Student Awards
CINCINNATI, May 25, 2018 – The Lovis Foundation, a Cincinnati based non-profit, awarded four Hero Awards and three Extraordinary Student awards to local students.
The Lovis Hero Award recognizes high school students who have overcome incredible obstacles to make a difference in their community. The obstacle may be, but not limited to, poverty, mental illness, homelessness, obesity, disability, extreme bullying, abuse, violence. The Lovis Extraordinary Student Award honors 5th– 8thgrade students who make a difference in their community by promoting kindness, being selfless, demonstrating compassion and/or giving to the less fortunate.
Students were nominated by a teacher, counselor or caseworker and winners were selected based on impact to the community and sensitivity to those who do not have a voice. Their stories were videotaped to raise awareness about how young people can make a difference.
Rene Brinson, Logan’s mother and founder of the Lovis Foundation explained, “These awards are given to young people that are often overlooked, who have a positive outlook on life and impact others. We purposefully did not attach an academic requirement to the qualifications. We wanted to provide a way for school districts to recognize young people who are doing amazing things, many times in spite of what life has dealt them.”
The success of the program was summed up by James Loomis, Guidance Counselor at Robert A. Taft Information Technology High School in Cincinnati’s downtown area. Mr. Loomis stated, “We appreciate the recognition you are giving our students. Our students receive far too little attention from sources that are important to them, so it is particularly gratifying when an organization from outside the school chooses to recognize them. We can’t thank you enough.”
The 2018 Lovis Hero Award Winners are:
Myasia Barber, Senior at Robert A. Taft Information Technology High School, Cincinnati, Ohio. Myasia, a single mother of a one year-old daughter, was the president of Taft’s Philanthropy Club and the JCG Career Association. Myasia organized projects for the school to give back to the community, including creating personal care packages for children and families affected by the hurricanes, a fundraiser for breast cancer awareness month, canned food drive for the Free Store as well as volunteering at the City Gospel Mission’s holiday store. She also headed up a project to bring awareness to mental illness in teens called “Operation Teen Survival Week” focusing on bullying, suicide prevention, drug/alcohol abuse in teens and teen domestic violence.
Noah Smilg, Senior at Sycamore High School, Cincinnati, Ohio. Noah’s tenacious ability to overcome the challenges associated with his diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome, a mild form of autism, his dedication to becoming an integral part of theater productions and his role as a mentor to younger students makes him an award winner. Finding his niche in the theater by working behind the scenes, his work helped those on-stage shine brighter. As a mentor in an intervention study hall, Noah assisted his peers with their academics while providing encouragement and advice on how to handle challenges. He also presented to incoming 8th-grade students and their parents and shared his high school journey. His words encouraged the students and impressed those who heard him.
Hayden Chambers, Senior at Mariemont High School, Mariemont, Ohio. When Hayden Chambers entered high school, he was the only identified transgender student in the school district. Although he was bullied by peers due to his differences, he held his head high and excelled as a student and a person. Hayden bravely paved the way for other transgender students in school. Through his journey, students have learned by Hayden’s example to express, live, and celebrate their differences in an eloquent manner. His positive outlook, joyous spirit, strength and determination are celebrated by this award.
Maddie Schramm, Senior at Sycamore High School, Cincinnati, Ohio. Maddie is diagnosed with Autism and her determination and conscientious work habits have set her up not only as a strong academic achiever but have also made her invaluable to the Sycamore school community as a School Ambassador, member of National Honor Society and as recipient of 1st place in poetry in a state writing contest. Maddie makes a difference by volunteering in the community at soup kitchens, holiday events and Matthew 25 Ministries. She was a counselor at the annual Freshman Camp, mentoring incoming freshman and worked with new students by accepting them to shadow her day. Maddie is an advocate for herself and others with disabilities.
The 2018 Lovis Extraordinary Student Award Winners are:
Liv Day, 8thgrade at Goshen Middle School, Goshen, Ohio. Liv is exceptionally kind, caring and compassionate. She is welcoming to all, particularly new students and students who look or feel left out and helps her classmates who need help without being asked. She genuinely cares about how people are doing and is great at making people feel like they matter, teachers included. In addition to being a leader, she actively participates in fundraisers. During the Warrior Walk fundraiser to help promote school spirit and earn money for the school, Liv was able to raise $1,000 by herself. Liv is an exceptional young lady who lights up the room and spreads joy wherever she goes.
Jerica Knickerbocker, 8thgrade at Batavia Middle School, Batavia, Ohio. Jerica is an active member of student council and a merit student. Not only does she work tirelessly on building district student council initiatives, she is compassionate, generous and kind to others. She is always the first to respond to a teacher or student need, whether it be tutoring, running errands or welcoming new students. Outside of school, Jerica spends many hours working for non-profits, such as the Salvation Army and Matthew 25 Ministries, and as a member of her church, she has also been found passing out hotdogs in impoverished local areas. Jerica is dependable, service-oriented, socially and academically responsible and the epitome of a positive role model at Batavia Middle School.
Eddie Julious, 7thGrade at RobertA. Taft Information Technology High School, Cincinnati, Ohio. Although Eddie is a 7th grader in a 7-12 high school, he is a proven leader in the school. In addition to spending his summers volunteering in his community, Eddie impacted the culture of the school by igniting the Media Club program with his zeal for technology and media. His leadership and passion have resulted in the school expanding their programing to start a YouTube page in the upcoming school year. Most importantly, Eddie created a positive culture in the school. Because of Eddie, more students wanted to get involved in clubs and activities. His bubbly personality and upbeat spirit inspired the whole school community by creating a higher sense of pride in the school.
See their stories at http://bit.ly/2LPzKpo.
About the Lovis Foundation
The Lovis Foundation honors the life of a charismatic, uniter of hearts named Logan Brinson. During his 19 years on this earth, Logan’s joyous spirit had a positive impact on everyone he met. The Lovis Foundation honors Logan’s tremendous impact on the world by advancing initiatives that reflect his core values: benevolence, spirituality, courage, kindness and self-expression. By funding community programs as unique and imaginative as Logan himself, we help make a difference in the lives of youth with disabilities, first responders and many others.
Media Contact:
Rene Brinson
President/Founder, The Lovis Foundation
513-405-8584