News release

Boyle County High School is delighted to announce 67 students are being recognized by the United Nations Association of the USA and InnerView in the forth Annual National Community Service Awards.  This program, open to all U.S. students, has been designed to connect student community service activities and commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to transform our world. The Kroger Company is presenting the second annual Zero Hero Awards to students for taking action to help create communities free of hunger and waste.

“Youth efforts and voices are essential to achieve the SDGs.  These awards allow us to share our appreciation for youth leaders who have invested talent and effort in the causes they care about,” says Rachel Bowen Pittman, Executive Director of United Nations Association of the USA.  “With a decade remaining to deliver on the SDGs, we are thrilled that these students will be entering the workforce with meaningful community engagement skills and socially aware experiences. We are encouraged that educators are including community service and cultural engagement in the educational experience of their students.”

“We are grateful for the efforts of every Zero Hero among us, especially the 49 student honorees from Boyle County High School who serve their communities in ways that advance Kroger’s Zero Hunger | Zero Waste social and environmental impact plan,” said Denise Osterhues, senior director of sustainability and social impact for Kroger. “Through this partnership with InnerView, we’ve connected more than 2,600 Zero Hero student leaders across 35 states to national subject matter experts and resources that build greater awareness of critical issues and inspire meaningful volunteer service, leadership and career exploration.”

“I am most impressed that these students were able to find creative ways to serve their community even during the pandemic. They were fired up for service this year,” said Eli Edwards, National Honor Society advisor at BCHS. Students from Boyle County High School delivered the most impact for SDG 2 – Zero Hunger. The collective activity of our students this school year, delivered 4,410 service hours and personal activities to address local needs.  This achievement earned an additional distinction of the Sapphire Award for outstanding impact. 

“In a year like no other, students have demonstrated resilience and personal understanding of the connectedness between all people and local and global challenges,” says Kristine Sturgeon, CEO of InnerView Technologies.  “We are delighted to amplify and honor the incredible work of students who are changing the world, one action at a time.” The pandemic emphasized a call for change; as a result, student community service activities this past school year grew by more than 37% across the InnerView network of students.

A key artifact students gain through the Award Program is the development of a digital service resume for use in job and college applications to demonstrate personal commitment, 21st century skills, and key areas of interest. The three tier award program recognizes a range of student achievement: Merit for 20 hours, Honor for 40 hours and Ambassador for 100 hours of service this school year and special recognition for a focus on Zero Hunger and Zero Waste.

• Ambassador Awardees: Whitney Bean, Brianna Crabtree, Lindsey Harris, Jacob Lyons, Kailey Young

• Honor Awardees: Wesley Allahham, Leticia Andrade, Kennedy Aulick, Emma Baker, Joshua Blackwell, Matthew Britt, Laney Burnette, Edith Clark, Bennett Coffey, Tristan Compton, Tiffany Couch, Madison Craig, A E, Brianna Ely, Hannah Faulkner, Alexandria Fowler, Abigail Gnann, Peyton Guerrant, McKenna James, Haylie Lamb, Zoe Lee, Karly Longwill, Bennett Reynolds, Cameron White, Peyton White, Kendall Williams, Molly Wise

• Merit Awardees: Grant Carlsen, Payton Crawford, Claudia Douglas, Bryce Drake, Carly Durham, Cora Gilbert, Cailyn Godsey, Marlayna Greer, Mia Grubbs, Benjamin Guerrant, Sophia Hammack, Tristan Harris, Avery Holman, Shelby Horn, Lenox Isola, Karlee Johnson, Kennedy Kirkland, Logan Kirkland, Alana Lassiter, Bennett Lemonds, Jack Little, Madison Moore, Reagan Pack, Alexus Phegley, Vanessa Ramos, Zoey Robbins, Halee Shepherd, Maggie Smith, Sophie Spencer, Emily Stiltner, Mia Stivers, Lindsey Warinner

• Zero Hero Awardees: Wesley Allahham, Leticia Andrade, Kennedy Aulick, Emma Baker, Whitney Bean, Joshua Blackwell, Matthew Britt, Laney Burnette, Edith Clark, Bennett Coffey, Tristan Compton, Tiffany Couch, Brianna Crabtree, Madison Craig, Payton Crawford, A E, Brianna Ely, Hannah Faulkner, Alexandria Fowler, Cora Gilbert, Abigail Gnann, Benjamin Guerrant, Peyton Guerrant, Sophia Hammack, Tristan Harris, McKenna James, Karlee Johnson, Alana Lassiter, Zoe Lee, Bennett Lemonds, Jack Little, Karly Longwill, Jacob Lyons, Connie Mullins, Reagan Pack, Alexus Phegley, Kennedy Qualls, Vanessa Ramos, Bennett Reynolds, Zoey Robbins, Halee Shepherd, Maggie Smith, Sophie Spencer, Emily Stiltner, Cameron White, Peyton White, Kendall Williams, Sophie Witmer, Kailey Young