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District Judge Jim Kramer with Character in Action Award winners Mickel Moore, Toni Lee, Savanna Jobson, Emilyano Hernandez-Maldonado, Janie Gray and Diego Martinez.(Photos by Steven Calhoun)

Jim Kramer with Diego Martinez and his parents Rocio and Raul.

Jim Kramer with Janie Gray and her parents Kim and Mark.

Savanna Jobson with her father Dewey.

Toni Lee with her father Darryl.

Mickel Moore with his mother Casetta.

Emilyano Hernandez-Maldonado with his parents Maria and Juan.

By STEVEN CALHOUN/Staff Writer

The Shelby County Drug Free Coalition held its Character in Action award ceremony on Jan. 25 at Family Connection in Alabaster.

The CIA award is given to students who exhibit outstanding character in the classroom and set an example for their peers.

“We get to hear all the good stuff that’s being done,” District Judge Jim Kramer said. “You see these traits and you think ‘I should be doing that’ and [these students] are displaying them at a young age.”

This month, the Vincent and Montevallo school districts were chosen to submit applications for their students to receive the CIA award.

The winners from Vincent were Mickel Moore, Toni Lee and Savanna Jobson.

Moore is the son of Casetta Moore and Larry Sullivan. He is a student at Vincent Elementary. Part of his recommendation read: “To sum him up, he is a gentleman, no matter if he is interacting with adults or peers.”

Lee is the daughter of Daryll and Tracey Lee. She is a student at Vincent Middle High. An excerpt from her recommendation read: “Toni keeps her priorities straight – education, family, peer relationships. She does not go along with the crowd – she is her own person with self-confidence.”

Jobson is the daughter of Dewey and Tina Jobson and a student at Vincent Middle High. She is the chief of staff for the JROTC at her school. Part of her recommendation read: “She remains calm and focused when faced with multiple problems at the same time, effectively prioritizing issues and solving them in order of importance and urgency.”

The winners from Montevallo were Emilyano Hernandez-Maldonado, Janie Gray and Diego Martinez.

Hernandez-Maldonado is the son of Joan Hernandez and Maria Maldonado. He is a student at Montevallo Elementary. He was commended for his leadership in class and willingness to help fellow students.

Gray is the daughter of Mark and Kim Gray. She is a student at Montevallo Middle. An excerpt from her recommendation read: “The true sign of a leader is the ability to have others choose to follow you. This is a gift that Janie takes very seriously and uses very respectfully.”

Diego Martinez is the son of Raul and Rocio Martinez. He is a student at Montevallo High. Part of his recommendation read: “Diego takes his role as a student very seriously, even going so far as to ask teachers to hold him accountable to ensure work is done correctly. He routinely turns in assignments early, is prepared for class, and turns in high-quality work.”

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