10 Cherokee Students Given Cindy Richards Woody Awards

Ten Cherokee County School District students have been recognized with Cindy Richards Woody Awards. 

The annual awards are presented by the Canton Kroger supermarket and the family of the late Cindy Woody, who lived with cystic fibrosis until her death at age 24 in 1995 after fulfilling her lifelong dream of becoming a teacher.  

She was known for her strong will and love of life and graduated sixth in her class at Cherokee High School, earned an academic and softball scholarship to college, graduated from Shorter College with top honors and began working as a teacher at Sixes Elementary School in 1993.   

One student is selected from each participating school to receive the honor, and of all the honorees, one overall winner is selected. Students in Grades 3 to 6 are eligible for the award; nominations are made by teachers.  

This year’s overall winner is Ava Wenclawiak of Liberty Elementary School.

The school winners are: 

• Avery Elementary School: Brinn Dameron
• Canton Elementary School STEM Academy: Luis Mijangos
• Hasty Elementary School Fine Arts Academy: Emilie Clason
• Hickory Flat Elementary School: Sophia AnnMargaret Singer
• Holly Springs Elementary School STEM Academy: Kyleigh Wallace
• Indian Knoll Elementary School: Myles McGee
• Knox Elementary School: Blane Waters
• Liberty Elementary School: Ava Wenclawiak
• Macedonia Elementary School: Reagan Pastor
• Sixes Elementary School: Chandler Stevenson

"We select students who we feel best fit the life that Cindy portrayed," said Kathryn Laird of the Canton Kroger. "These nominees are expected to excel in academics, sports, morals and citizenship."

All of the honorees receive an engraved plaque; the county winner also receives a gift basket and a trophy is displayed at his or her school for a year.