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 Ms. 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 HS. She also earned an academic and softball scholarship to college, graduated from Shorter College with top honors and began working as a teacher at Sixes ES 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 years overall winner is Greer Unterreiner of Sixes ES.

The school winners are:
Avery ES: Ella Walker
Canton ES STEM Academy: Madison Bonitatibus
Hasty ES Fine Arts Academy: Riley Crawford
Hickory Flat ES: Hannah Rivers
Holly Springs ES STEM Academy: Katherine Vansword
Indian Knoll ES: Megan Kirby
Knox ES: Stella Belfield
Liberty ES: Emily Beasley
Macedonia ES: Addison Spell
Sixes ES: Greer Unterreiner

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

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.