The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

Big Sandy Activities is initiating an award available to all students 7th grade through 12th at the Big Sandy High School called the POWER AWARD.

Big Sandy Activities motto is "Empowering people". It was shortened from Empowering People with Disabilities to just Empowering People.

People with disabilities are just people living with the challenges given to them, not unlike any of us. BSA's goal is to help them feel powerful and appreciated. Nothing gives any of us a boost in life more then others encouraging us and helping us to rise above our circumstance.

The Power Award is designed to encourage all students to empower their classmates, teammates, and community members. It wants to reward those students who encourage not demean, to reward team effort not individual power, and to reward community involvement and inclusion not individual glory. Hopefully it will lessen bullying and teasing and foster empathy and understanding. Everyone needs to strive for excellence, to work hard for his or her best. Although excellence should be rewarded, it should not be on the backs of others.

Anyone can nominate a student. Nominations will be due in April. A student can nominate him/herself. We'll be asking teachers as well as community members to watch and listen to the behavior of the students so the best can be rewarded. The Power award is worth $250 and will be given annually at the Awards Banquet. After nominations there will be a panel made up of teachers, community members and a representative of Big Sandy Activities. They will review and interview each nomination. This will be an annual award.