WHEREAS, Alabama Public Television (APT) established the Young Heroes Awards in 2001 to honor Alabama students in Grades 9-12 who have excelled in academics, given of themselves through public service, overcome adversity, or inspired others through their deeds and strength of character; and

WHEREAS, Young Heroes receive scholarships, laptop computers, and other prizes; and

WHEREAS, the Young Heroes Program is made possible through the support of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, Books-A-Million, Honda, and Publix; and

WHEREAS, from hundreds of nominations, a committee of Alabama business, civic, and education leaders selected the following five students as Alabama Public Television’s 2012 Young Heroes:

• Ashley Askins, Cherokee High School, Colbert County Schools
• Karlie Blankenship, Lawrence County High School, Lawrence County Schools
• K. J. Jones, Cullman High School, Cullman City Schools
• Wei Min Patrick, Baker High School, Mobile County Schools
• Michael Tempero, J. F. Shields High School, Monroe County Schools

WHEREAS, the 2012 APT Young Heroes will be recognized at their schools with an award as part of their senior assemblies, and videos of their personal stories of success over adversity will be shown on APT during the Stars in Education broadcast on May 9:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Alabama State Board of Education does hereby commend these outstanding young people for their accomplishments and their characters and wishes them every success in their future endeavors.

Done this 10th day of May 2012