Alabama Public Television (APT) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 APT Young Heroes Awards, recognizing five outstanding Alabama students who have demonstrated extraordinary courage, resilience, and commitment to their communities. Each student will receive a $10,000 scholarship to the school of their choice, a laptop computer and other prizes as well. The students will be honored at a dinner at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel on Wednesday, April 9 and will visit the Alabama House and Senate for special recognition on Thursday, April 10.

This year’s winners are:

• Bailey Cox, Hoover High School, Hoover: Bailey has transformed her personal struggles with mental health into a powerful platform for advocacy, raising awareness and reducing stigma.
• Jamyracle Williams, Marbury High School, Browntown: Jamyracle demonstrates exceptional leadership and community commitment, notably through her Alabama Black Farmers Collective project.
• Benjamin Wortham, James Clemens High School, Madison: Benjamin has defied significant medical challenges to excel academically and artistically, fostering empathy and inclusivity.
• Kounte Hampton Threadgill, Auburn High School, Auburn: Kounte's extraordinary bravery in rescuing his siblings from a house fire, combined with his academic dedication, exemplifies true heroism.
• Jaedyn R. Johnson, Austin High School, Decatur: Jaedyn embodies resilience and determination, overcoming physical challenges to excel academically and serve his community.

This is the 24th year of APT’s Young Heroes Awards. Nominees for the award must be full-time students in a 9th through 12th grade curriculum, and must have demonstrated academic excellence, active participation in their community and the courage to persevere in the face of adversity. Nominations were accepted from school staff, family members or other members of the students’ communities from September 2024 – January 2025.

One of the five Young Heroes will also be honored with the Marissa Feigelson Community Service Award as part of the dinner and ceremony on April 9. The Marissa Feigelson award was created in honor of one of the first APT Young Heroes who tragically died of cancer. Each year, Mr. Mickey Feigelson, Marissa’s father,  selects the winner of the prize which includes an additional $1000 scholarship.

The APT Young Heroes program is made possible by the generous donations of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, The Daniel Foundation, Harris Trust, and YellaWood Pressure Treated Pine.

Learn more at the 2025 APT Young Heroes program online at www.aptv.org/heroes.