Cox Communications recognized 37 students from across Okaloosa County for their resilience and positive attitudes during the annual Cox Inspirational Student Hero Awards ceremony held Tuesday at Northwest Florida State College.
- The honorees, selected by school leaders, have overcome challenges including loss of family members, medical issues and difficult family situations while continuing to 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, during the ceremony. “Despite facing numerous challenges in their young lives, they continue to maintain a positive outlook. They’re true heroes who deserve to be celebrated.”
Superintendent Marcus Chambers praised the students’ courage and determination.
- “I am continually blown away by the resilience and courage shown by our students here in Okaloosa County,” Chambers said. “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.”
During the event, students received engraved medallions and certificates of honor from Cox. They also received certificates of accomplishment from U.S. Senators Rick Scott and 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 approved a proclamation on May 6, declaring May 2025 as Cox Inspirational Student Hero month in Okaloosa County. Commissioner Drew Palmer attended the ceremony.
The Cox Inspirational Student Hero Awards program began 32 years ago in New Orleans and has recognized more than 5,100 students across Cox markets in the southeast.
This year’s honorees represent 37 schools throughout Okaloosa County, including students from elementary, middle and high schools.
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
Chambers highlighted the importance of community support in helping students overcome adversity.
“It takes everybody coming together, our schools coming together. It takes our families coming together to truly make a difference in the lives of students,” he said. “When you have educators behind you and families behind you to be able to do the things that they need to do to be successful amidst adversity, that’s when great things can happen.”
