Student Service Honored at Cory White Awards

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Twenty-one middle and high school students from all five school districts were recently honored by the Anderson County Human Relations Council (HRC) for their efforts to promote acceptance and diversity within the school community. Students, their families, school and government officials were treated with an award dinner and presentation ceremony at the Anderson Civic Center in Anderson.

The HRC established the Cory White Diversity Award in memory of the student designer of its logo, Cory White. This annual award spotlights a student nominated by teachers and other school officials from each of Anderson County’s middle and high schools. These students have positively affected their peers, teachers, and/or school staff in the areas of human rights, special needs, and disabilities, and/or cultural inclusion and acceptance, qualities all exemplified by Cory White. Cory was known for his ability and efforts to reach out to those who were alone, shy, or ignored.

The 2025 Cory White Award Winners:

McKenna Holcombe - Palmetto High School

Khloe Gilliland - Palmetto Middle School

Ziana Billings - Powdersville High School

Lashmy Balbuena Barranco - Powdersville Middle School

Sitara Veerabagu- Wren High School

Isaiah Jeffery - Wren Middle School

Kody Brock - Belton-Honea Path High School

Jacob Conrad - Belton Middle School

Kinsley Smith - Honea Path Middle School

Alyssa Dickson - Crescent High School

Lacey Burdette - Starr-Iva Middle School

Maggie Gilder - Pendleton High School

Aria Penley - Riverside Middle School

Jenna Bariou - Anderson 5 Charter School

Emerson Cooley - Glenview Middle School

Nailah Brownlee - McCants Middle School

Zyan Earle - Robert Anderson Middle School

Jazelyn Robinson - Southwood Academy for the Arts

Anna London Bufkin - T. L. Hanna High School

Khaya Hunt - Westside High School

Trevor Clark - Renaissance Academy