Cox Recognizes Inspirational Students in Okaloosa County
Niceville, FL - Cox Communications hosted the annual Cox Inspirational Student Hero Awards yesterday at Northwest Florida State College in Niceville. The 37 students honored were selected by a committee of school leaders to honor their resilience in the face of adversity. Whether they have overcome the loss of a family member, medical issues, difficult family situations, or other hardships, they have done so with optimism while continuing to encourage and inspire those around them.
"Cox is proud to recognize these remarkable students and celebrate their inspirational impact on their peers and school staff," said David Deliman, vice president of Cox’s Gulf Coast market. "Despite facing numerous challenges in their young lives, they continue to maintain a positive outlook. They’re true heroes who deserve to be celebrated."
This great event could not be held without the strong partnership between Cox and the Okaloosa County School District.
“I am continually blown away by the resilience and courage shown by our students here in Okaloosa County,” said Superintendent Marcus Chambers. “Each year, the Cox Inspirational Student Hero Awards remind us of the incredible strength, determination, and heart our students demonstrate in the face of life’s challenges. I am so proud of these young people and grateful to Cox for recognizing and celebrating the remarkable students we are privileged to serve in this community.”
During the event, Cox presented the students with personalized engraved medallions and certificates of honor. Additionally, the students received certificates of accomplishment from United States Senator Rick Scott, United States Senator Ashley Moody, Florida State Senators Don Gaetz and Jay Trumbull, and Florida State Representatives Patt Maney and Michelle Salzman. The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners also approved a proclamation on May 6, congratulating all the student honorees and proclaiming May 2025 as Cox Inspirational Student Hero month in Okaloosa County.
The Cox Inspirational Student Hero Awards program began 32 years ago in New Orleans, Louisiana, and to date, Cox has recognized more than 5,100 students from Cox markets across the southeast.
The 2025 Okaloosa County Cox Inspirational Student Heroes are:
- Antioch Elementary School - Derrick Stokes
- Baker School - Kadance Fredericksen
- Bluewater Elementary School - Tristan Phillips
- Bob Sikes Elementary School - Brendon Diguilio
- Bruner Middle School - Hunter Kelhi
- Choctawhatchee High School - Cristian Santos
- Crestview High School - Lilyann Triplett
- Davidson Middle School - Riley Martin
- Destin Elementary School - Asher Blose
- Destin Middle School - Dixon Stanton
- Edge Elementary School - Donnie Guillory
- Edwins Elementary School - Kaleb Pridgen
- Eglin Elementary School - Wilfredo Mendez
- Elliott Point Elementary School - Christopher Gutierrez-Acosta
- Florosa Elementary School - Mia Martin
- Fort Walton Beach High School - Thrystain Sparks
- Kenwood Elementary School - Zaiden Cordoba
- Laurel Hill School - Alessa Maynard
- Lewis School - Emmy Liufau
- Longwood Elementary School - Martin Lopez Camposeco
- Mary Esther Elementary School - Ryleigh John-McVay
- Meigs Middle School - Joniel Medina
- Niceville High School - Timberland Smith
- Northwest Florida Ballet Academie - Antonio Thomas
- Northwood Elementary School - Victoria Galvan
- Okaloosa STEMM Academy - Allyson Fuller
- Plew Elementary School - Jeremiah Martin
- Pryor Middle School - Joel Dias Alvarez
- Richbourg School - Alex Gomez
- Riverside Elementary School - Chanel Coward
- Ruckel Middle School - Peyton McKissack
- Shalimar Elementary School - Avery Cudney
- Shoal River Middle School - Jacoby Steinmann
- Silver Sands School - Hunter Wilson
- Southside Primary School - Ayden Berrios
- Walker Elementary School - Ava Carpio
- Wright Elementary School - Maria Arcanjo
