The Anderson County Human Relations Council (HRC) recognized 21 middle and high school students Monday evening at the Civic Center of Anderson with the 2026 Cory White Diversity Awards, an annual program honoring young people who help make their schools more welcoming, respectful, and mindful of the dignity of others. The award was established in memory of Cory White, designer of the HRC logo, and continues to recognize students whose lives reflect acceptance, strong character, and a concern for others.
The evening brought together families, local government officials, and school officials to recognize a kind of leadership that is often quiet but deeply important: the leadership of inclusion, encouragement, friendship, and service. The program included welcoming remarks from HRC Chair Cindy Robertson, keynote remarks from HRC Vice Chair Elizabeth Strong, special entertainment by Khasius Hunt, presentation of the awards by HRC members, and closing remarks from Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns.
“For more than twenty years, the Cory White Awards have recognized something our community should never take for granted,” said Tommy Dunn, chairman of Anderson County Council. “They recognize the students who notice the person left out, who treat others with dignity, who build bridges where it would be easier to ignore differences, and who make their schools better by the way they live. These young people represent the best of Anderson County, and we are proud to honor them.”
The 2026 Cory White Award recipients are:
District 1: Jada Thurmond, Palmetto High School; Yannabah Poola, Palmetto Middle School; Marley Merritt, Powdersville High School; and Collin Butler, Powdersville Middle School.
District 2: Thomas Marte, Wren High School; Jose “Bryan” Guzman Garcia, Wren Middle School; Jaxon Smith, Belton-Honea Path High School; Kaden Ballentine, Belton Middle School; and Roxanne Sanders, Honea Path Middle School.
District 3: Kylan Ware, Crescent High School; and Griffin Smith, Starr-Iva Middle School.
District 4: Corday Chapman, Pendleton High School; and Phoenix Smith, Riverside Middle School.
District 5: Sara Kate Smith, Anderson Five Charter School; Krisna Patel, Glenview Middle School; Andre Rodrigues, McCants Middle School; Timothy Davis, Robert Anderson Middle School; Lillian Amare, Southwood Academy for the Arts; Emry Smith, T. L. Hanna High School; Karoline Stewart, Westside High School; and David Miranda Sagastume, Renaissance Academy.
About the Anderson County Human Relations Council
The Anderson County Human Relations Council works to improve human relations in Anderson County by encouraging understanding, respect, and cooperation across lines of difference. The Council also sponsors educational and community awareness efforts throughout the year, including the annual Cory White Diversity Awards. The HRC is composed of members appointed by the Anderson County Council.