Peabody Mayor Awards First City's Youth Spirit Award

PEABODY, MA — Olivia Bormann, a young Peabody resident who has maintained outstanding courage and a fighting spirit following spinal surgery, has been honored as the city's first Youth Spirit Award recipient.

Bormann was rushed to Children's Hospital after losing feeling in both her legs. Doctors found and removed a hematoma from her spine. She is recovering at home after a lengthy hospital stay.

Mayor Ted Bettencourt said Bormann "has helped unit our community with her strength and resolve."

"By facing her adversity with outstanding courage and a great fighting spirit, Olivia shines as an example for us all," Bettencourt said in announcing the award. "Having to overcome daily challenges and rehabilitation, Olivia has had to work incredibly hard and with that beautiful spirit she continues to persevere."

"Her grace and persistence have inspired our community and brought us all much closer together," Bettencourt said. "We all couldn't be more proud of her."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)