Alabama Public Television's 2001 Young Heroes
Recognizing that the future of Alabama is in our youth, we wanted to tell the stories of some of our state's outstanding young people. Students in grades 4 - 12, who have excelled in academics, given of themselves through public service, overcome adversity, or inspired others through their deed and strength of character were eligible to be nominated. More than 250 nominations were received and the excellent quality of those nominations made the selection of this year's recipients very difficult. Nevertheless, as we went through the selection process, certain nominees rose to the top. The six people we selected are truly heroes and an inspiration to us all.

Marissa Feigelson, 12
Birmingham, Alabama
7th Grade, Mountain Brook Junior High School
Died February 17, 2001
Over six years ago, Marissa's mother Ethel was diagnosed with breast cancer. With her parents' support and guidance, Marissa faced her mother's illness with courage, determination, and great maturity. As Ethel battled a mastectomy, chemotherapy, and recurrences of the disease, Marissa and her father stood firmly beside her and supported her with love. Within the last few years, Marissa's aunt and grandmother have also been diagnosed with cancer. Although she faced challenges and seemingly insurmountable obstacles each and every day, Marissa demonstrated amazing fortitude and inner strength. The experience of dealing with her family's cancer transformed her from a remarkable child into a young woman possessing wisdom far beyond her years

Throughout the years, she excelled in everything she undertook. She was an outstanding student, an accomplished pianist, singer, and dancer. She helped collect toys for needy children, supplies for victims of a hurricane, and books for students at a partner school. This past fall, she made gift bags for cancer survivors and raised money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. She and her family became involved in the Foundation's "Race for the Cure" after her mother was diagnosed with the disease. This year she was the organization's youngest volunteer. She made over 200 gift bags for the survivors and helped make 36 gift bows which raised $3,600 for the Foundation. As a result of the work that she did, she was awarded the 2001 Prudential Spirit of Community Award for Mountain Brook Junior High School and later she was selected as one of the top two teen volunteers for the state of Alabama.

On January 4, 2001, Marissa was diagnosed with leukemia. On February 17, 2001, Marissa lost her battle with this disease.

Melanda Nichole Jones, 17
Arley, Alabama
Senior, Meek High School
Melanda's home environment for herself and her younger brothers included inadequate nutrition, neglect, and fights. She volunteered for public service by taking a strong stand for her own independence, working with the Winston County Police Department to end a drug ring, and using her courageous persistence to remove her three younger brothers from a dangerous home and give them peace in a healthy environment. Melanda continued to excel academically despite the potentially damaging effects of her home environment. Melanda is her own legal guardian.

Jason Kelly, 17
Hillsboro, Alabama
Senior, East Lawrence High School
Jason is the youngest of four children and the only one that is living at home. Home and family are very important part of his life. His mother has Lou Gehrig's disease and is wheelchair bound and totally disabled. His father has suffered open-heart surgery and is a candidate for dialysis at any time. Jason doesn't let this get him down. He continues to be kind, caring, and uplifting to his parents, peers, and teachers.

Jason cares for his parents in many ways, physically and financially. Even with all his extracurricular activities, head ambassador, State FCCLA District I Vice-President, vice president of Key Club, Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta, and an "A" student, he finds time and energy to work at a local grocery store to provide for his family.

Kellie Letson, 17
Moulton, Alabama
Senior, Lawrence County High School
Kelly has played Volleyball, Basketball, and Softball every season since the 8th grade. She has excelled and been a leader in these sports as well as being a top student. Kellie helps with Special Olympics and Relay for Life for the Cancer Society. She also is a Key Club member, SGA Representative, Secretary of the senior class and a D.A.R.E. Representative.

On May 21, 2000, Kellie was involved in a car accident. This accident left her clinging to life. Her neck was broken, liver severed and her gall bladder and appendix had to be removed. Much of her month long stay in Huntsville Hospital was spent in a coma. She also spent 10 days in physical rehabilitation at Scottish Rite Hospital for Crippled Children in Atlanta. When she returned to school in August, she was still wearing a 5-pound neck halo. Kellie doesn't remember anything about the accident although her classmates will likely never forget. Kellie continues to have short-term memory difficulties.

When Kellie returned to school, she was determined to be as she was before the accident. She was voted Homecoming Queen, and made the Volleyball and Basketball teams.

Emily Meadows, 14
Montgomery, Alabama
Freshman, St. James High School
Emily's personal qualities have enabled her to serve as an inspiration and example for both students and adults in her community. As a small child, Emily's' leg was amputated due to bone cancer. She is an avid softball and basketball player. Emily never labels herself as disabled even though she wears a prosthetic leg. She is a leader in academics, an athletic star, and an inspiration to others.

David Broox Middleton, 11
Chunchula, Alabama
5th Grade, Clark School of Mathematics & Science
Broox Middleton is a five-year survivor of a cancerous brain tumor and is redefining what it means to persevere against the odds. Broox was first diagnosed with an Astrocytoma Brain Tumor in 1995. The tumor was located in one of the most sensitive areas of the brain. With this frightful information, Broox and his family turned to the St. Jude Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. The doctors said Broox would spend at least five days in the hospital, and then he would start chemotherapy as an outpatient, if he made it through surgery.

It took a team of doctors nine hours to remove the tumor. Broox woke up in Surgical Intensive Care with a smile on his face. Instead of going back to St. Jude as an outpatient, Broox was released after only four days in the hospital. Broox was left with some disabilities, he has only partial vision, he is totally color blind, and has a hearing problem. Most of his friends do not even notice the disabilities unless he tells them. He never uses this as an excuse or finds reason to complain.

Five years later, Broox's doctors continue to marvel over his success. In spite of his travel and check up visits, Broox has had three years of perfect attendance at school, and is working toward his fourth. He is giving back to other young cancer patients by volunteering with St. Jude's on the Bay. He actively volunteers during the annual charity auction and other events that help battle childhood cancer.