MARCH 2, 2026

Alabama Public Television is pleased to announce the winners of our 2026 APT Young Heroes scholarships. Kayden Bland of Billingsley School, Grayson Gay of Cullman High School, and Courthey Pride of Alabama School of Fine Arts in Birmingham will each 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 luncheon at The Club in Birmingham on Tuesday, April 14^th.

This is the 25^th year of APT’s Young Heroes Awards. Nominees for the award must be full-time students in 11^th or 12^th grade, 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 2025 – January 2026.

One of the three Young Heroes will also be honored with the Marissa Feigelson Community Service Award during the lunch and ceremony on April 14. The Marissa Feigelson award was created in honor of one of the first APT Young Heroes who tragically lost her battle with cancer. Each year Marissa’s father, Mr. Mickey Feigelson, selects the winner of the award, 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 and The Harris Trust.

Learn more at the 2026 APT Young Heroes