Crestwood High junior receives national honor
Crestwood High School junior Tayvon Givens was recently honored with a national award for his leadership and volunteerism at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans.
Last week, Givens, 17, traveled to "The Big Easy" to receive a 2019 Billy Michal Student Leadership Award, a national honor awarded annually to one student in every state who maintains a strong record of volunteerism, demonstrates school and community activism, and helps implement creative solutions to problems.
According to a news release, the museum first presented the leadership award in 2017, and it was created in honor of Billy Michal, who was a child living in Louisiana during World War II. At only 6 years old, Michal helped his one-room schoolhouse win a statewide scrap paper-collection contest during the war, proving that every citizen could contribute to victory. The young boy's achievement demonstrated the positive impact the American spirit could have on the home front war efforts, and Michal continues to inspire students across the U.S., according to the museum.
"During World War II, our country needed everyone to come together for a common goal of securing freedom and democracy around the world," said Stephen Watson, president and CEO of the National World War II Museum. "Much like Billy Michal's contribution over 70 years ago, our student honorees prove that their positive actions, no matter how big or small, can make a difference in their communities."
Givens' nomination was submitted by his former Mayewood Middle School social studies teacher Zach Lowe. In the release, Lowe noted Givens' leadership in the classroom in assisting other students with their assignments while working to perfect his own. Givens volunteers for causes across Sumter County, particularly in his hometown of Mayesville. He also aspires to be a physical therapist and previously volunteered at Prisma Health Tuomey to find a way to make his dreams come true.
"Tayvon has something that few people do," Lowe said, "an innate ability to continue trying and never give up - no matter what. This fire continues to burn as he moves toward his senior year. He is determined to reach each and every one of his goals."