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Cedar Rapids kids celebrated for kindness, leadership with ‘14 Under 14’ awards
Kids First Law Center recognizes 14 students, nominated by their teachers
Feb. 29, 2024 5:30 am, Updated: Feb. 29, 2024 8:20 am
CEDAR RAPIDS — Wright Elementary School fifth-grader Avery Enekwechi is described by her teacher as brave, empathetic, having a kind soul and a leader. She tackles hard issues like equality and racism with kindness.
“She is not afraid of the tough issues,” said Josh Reynolds, Avery’s teacher. “She’ll stick up for anybody. She’s a quiet kiddo, but she’s not afraid to stand up and speak up.”
Reynolds said Avery’s self motivation is “inspirational.” At the beginning of the school year, Avery decided she was going to read more than 400 pages of the class’s reading curriculum book. She finished it in early December.
Wednesday, Wright Elementary fifth-graders took trifold posters they created featuring historic Black colleges and universities and presented them to students at Washington High School. Avery’s poster featured Johnson C. Smith University, in Charlotte, N.C., which she chose because of its veterinary program and dance team.
Avery, 10, is one of 14 students in the Cedar Rapids Community School District recognized Thursday with a “14 Under 14” award from Kids First Law Center. The program highlights young leaders under the age of 14 for exemplifying positive leadership qualities like good citizenship, problem-solving, empathy and kindness.
The awards are being presented at 4 p.m. Thursday at the downtown Cedar Rapids Public Library Whipple Auditorium, 450 Fifth Ave. SE. The event is free to the public.
“We as parents all think our kids are great, and it’s a whole other amazing feeling to know that other people see how great they are,” said Jenn Cannon, Avery’s mother.
The students are nominated by educators and staff in their schools for the award. A selection committee narrows the nominees to 14 recipients. This is the third year recognizing students for 14 Under 14.
The Kids First Law Center gives children a voice in divorce, custody and other conflicts by providing them with legal representation and services.
Another student, Zaevion McBride, 13, a seventh-grader at Roosevelt Creative Corridor Business Academy, also was nominated by his teacher for being a leader and positive role model.
His teacher, Myra Hall, said he quietly “nudges” others to do the right thing, like quiet down when it’s time to do classwork. Hall calls it the “Zaevion way.”
Zaevion is the first to help resolve classroom conflicts while remaining “calm and cool,” Hall said. His classmates and teachers recognize his leadership ability as he models his school’s expectations that students be safe, respectful and responsible.
Zaevion also plays basketball and is captain of his team.
“He’s a leader on and off the court,” said his mother, Rosalynn Hawk. “We’re definitely proud of him.”
Other honorees
Other students who received the “14 Under 14” awards and what the selection committee said about them:
- Devendra Bahadur, 11, a sixth-grader at Taft Middle School, is an agent for change. He is guided by strong morals and dedicates himself to service for others. He uses life experiences to expand the worldview of classmates and works to improve the lives of others in his community.
- Kyra Brown, 13, an eighth-grader at McKinley Middle School, is a student-athlete taking on leadership roles and volunteering in many student organizations. Her work for diversity and racial justice has earned the respect of her peers and teachers.
- Evie Creighton, 13, an eighth-grader at Wilson Middle School, plays volleyball and basketball. She is a courageous voice for students, even speaking to the Cedar Rapids school board on behalf of classmates. She inspires students and adults alike with her emotional intelligence and courage.
- Hannah Jones, 11, a fifth-grader at Erskine Elementary School, consistently models kindness for her peers. She is patient and generous in helping other classmates understand difficult material and a dedicated peacemaker who joined a peace walk last year.
- Isiah Julis, 13, an eighth-grader at Wilson Middle School, uses her lunch time to provide volunteer tutoring for her classmates. A leader who works to inspire classmates, her teacher relies on her to be the liaison whenever there is a substitute teacher.
- Teaghan Kuniega, 13, a seventh-grader at McKinley STEAM Academy, values personal connections. She often can be found in one-on-one deep conversations when others are focused on their electronic devices instead. She is a student-leader in soccer, trusted by the coach to help prepare the team for practice.
- Aureole Matuakanunu, 13, an eighth-grader at Roosevelt Creative Corridor Business Academy, is mature, patient and reliable. He is seen bridging gaps between others around him and showing a steadfast commitment to inclusion.
- Avarijana Norberg, 11, a fifth-grader at Harrison Elementary School, shows empathy and resilience. She is the first person to offer assistance when a student is crying, even a student she doesn’t know. She openly coaches other students how to face their own challenges.
- Joanelis Roman, 12, a sixth-grader at Franklin Middle School, excels academically and is always willing to help her classmates and teachers. She guides new students, using her bilingual skills to create a welcoming environment for Spanish-speaking peers.
- Natalie Ross, 12, a seventh-grader at Franklin Middle School, is starting a Kindness Club for sharing both big and small acts of kindness throughout school. Natalie shows generosity by using “Bolt Bucks,” her school’s reward system, to give gifts to her peers rather than buying things for herself.
- Kervense Telcy, 10, a fourth-grader at Hoover Elementary, is a model of persistence. When facing a difficult task, he always asks for help and works to complete the best product possible. He is not easily deterred and always maintains a positive attitude.
- Abdi Yusuf, 10, a fifth-grader at Johnson STEAM Academy, is an open-minded peacemaker. He can always be counted on to tell the truth to peers and teachers, and to do so with care, kindness, and without judgment.
Comments: (319) 398-8411; grace.king@thegazette.com
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