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Alabama Public Television's 2005 Young Heroes
 Ashley
Farr
McCalla, Alabama
Ashley was diagnosed at age six with a
disease called CMT (Charcot-Marie-Tooth Syndrome), which is a neuro-muscular
degenerative condition that causes progressive deterioration of
the muscles in the feet and lower legs, hands and forearms. Despite
this obstacle Ashley maintains a 4.0 GPA and is ranked #1 out of
159 students in her class. She is President of the Student Government,
a Member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club B.A.D.D Student
Impact Team. She volunteers for T.E.A.R.S (The Emergency Animal
Rescue Service), and the Salvation Army among numerous other volunteer
and academic pursuits.
 Brandon
Morgan
Dadeville, Alabama
For the past several years Brandon has
made it a point to visit assisted living facilities in Dadeville
and Opelika once or twice each week to sing and play piano for the
residents. He is involved in Key Club, participates in the Big Brothers/Big
Sisters program, and is a member of S.A.D.D. (Students Against Drunk
Driving). In addition to his academic honors, he has performed on
The Children’s Miracle Network Telethon in 2004, and made
numerous other television and film appearances. Brandon has accomplished
all this despite being born with hydrocephalus.
 Julie
Privett
Holly Pond, Alabama
Julie has had to face too much in her short lifetime. When in the
eighth grade, the doctors thought she had a severe sinus infection;
it turned out to be level four cancer. She underwent surgery, radiation
and grueling chemotherapy. On the road to recovery, Julie has become
a valuable volunteer at the Life First Oncology Center. All this
while maintaining an A honor roll academic record and working on
weekends and nights to help the family make ends meet. She is the
family taxi for her siblings and her 15 –month old nephew.
 Abby
Reid
Oxford, Alabama
Three years ago, Abby was involved in a car accident
which left her partially paralyzed. Abby insisted on going back to
school at the Alabama School for the Deaf (ASD) and maintaining her
full academic load while juggling physical therapy sessions and doctors
appointments. Abby now walks with the aid of braces and is a member
of the school’s volleyball team. Her positive outlook and eager
spirit contributed to her winning the title of Miss Alabama School
for the Deaf 2003. Her generous spirit inspires, motivates and encourages
all of her peers and teachers at the ASD.
 Savannah
Wisener
Arab, Alabama
When it became apparent that her mother was not capable of parenting,
Savannah took on the role. She got the younger children up and to
school, signed papers, coached little league and worked to ensure
that her sisters had food and clothes. Add to this assumed task
of motherhood that fact that Savannah lives with Type 1 diabetes
(insulin dependent; she has to give herself two shots a day). While
doing this she continued academic excellence and participated on
the band’s dance team. As a senior, Savannah is in the National
Honor Society and Senior Girls’ Honor Society at AP Brewer
High School. She plans to attend college and major in engineering.
Marissa Feigelson Community Service Award
One Alabama Young Hero is honored each year with the Marissa Feigelson
Community Service Award, named for one of the first Alabama Young
Heroes who died of leukemia in February 2001. This year the award
was presented to Young Hero Ashley Farr for her extensive volunteer
activities with Brookwood Elementary School’s Extended Day
Program, The Emergency Animal Rescue Service, Salvation Army and
the children’s music program at her church.
The Alabama Young Heroes Awards are made possible by the support
of Books-A-Million, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, the Rotary
Club of Birmingham, Alabama Power Foundation, Thompson Family Foundation,
Goodrich Family Foundation, The Barton Head Foundation, Honda Manufacturing
of Alabama and Parisian.
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