On Wednesday, May 27, HTC honored 51 students representing all Horry County Schools during the 15th Annual REEL Kids Awards held at the Marriott Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes in Myrtle Beach. These 51 students have proven themselves through scholastic, athletic, and community achievements in the face of recent obstacles or extenuating circumstances and have been recognized by their schools as winners of the HTC REEL Kids (Recognizing Extraordinary Examples of Leadership) award.

Since 2001, HTC has confirmed a local connection to the community by hosting the HTC REEL Kids program to honor students who may otherwise go unnoticed. These students are worthy of recognition for their outstanding leadership qualities that have helped them through special circumstances. All schools in Horry County, primary through high school, were encouraged to participate by nominating an extraordinary student. For the 15th consecutive year, HTC received 100% participation, and all Horry County Schools are represented with a REEL Kids award winner.

“When we receive the nominations from the schools and read about the hardships these young people have endured, we are humbled,” said Mike Hagg, HTC Chief Executive Officer. “These REEL Kids have fought through the loss of loved ones, physical disabilities, learning disabilities, disease, emotional problems, abuse, neglect, abandonment, and so much more. The most remarkable fact is that the REEL Kids have overcome what some would have seen as stumbling blocks.”

As part of becoming an HTC REEL Kid, each child along with his/her teacher, principal or guidance counselor is interviewed for an HTC REEL Kids segment that airs weekly during the local talk show, RiverTalk. Each child’s inspiring story of overcoming adversity is shared during the interview.

“The REEL Kids program is one way HTC connects with the community and is always a highpoint of the year for us at HTC. We are amazed at the amount of zeal these children possess and can see how arduous times have made them stronger. During the interviews, the REEL Kids give advice to those who are going through difficult situations and urge others above all to never give up,” continued Hagg.

HTC invited Ben Utecht to serve as the celebrity guest speaker for the ceremony. Utecht achieved football’s highest honor when his team, the 2006 Indianapolis Colts squad, won Super Bowl XLI. He is now four seasons removed from his NFL career as a tight end due to traumatic brain injuries from concussions. His transition has been daunting in many ways, yet, amidst the trials of cognitive rehabilitation, he has found himself again through pursuing another dream: becoming a successful singer and artist in the world of music. Along with his singing talents Utecht is an established keynote speaker, budding author, and national spokesperson for the American Brain Foundation and the American Academy of Neurology.

All HTC REEL Kids received a copy of Utecht’s break out solo album, “Standing Strong.” Prior to the special guest presentation by Ben Utecht, HTC awarded medals to each winner for their accomplishments. The Meagan Conner Award and Taylor McKinney Award for Courage winners were also announced.

REEL Kids Success Story

In honor of the 15th Anniversary of the HTC REEL Kids program, HTC showcased a REEL Kids Success Story. This year’s story is Justin Abbasi, the 2010 HTC REEL Kid for Forestbrook Middle School and Taylor McKinney Award for Courage winner. He’s now a freshman at Yale University. He spoke to the 2015 REEL Kids about the impact the REEL Kids program had on his life and encouraged the REEL Kids with inspirational words of advice.

Meagan Conner Award

During the first season of HTC REEL Kids, Meagan Conner, Loris High School’s REEL Kid, was battling cancer. It was a battle she lost just four months after the REEL Kids luncheon. Her story touched everyone that year, and we continue to pay tribute to her life by honoring one REEL Kid each year with this award. A special committee selects an outstanding REEL Kid who made a lasting impression at the time of the interview and displays strong character, determination and perseverance. The objective of the Meagan Conner award is not to choose a student based on the severity of the obstacle, but rather the strength of their character, the degree of their determination, and the duration of their perseverance.

Taylor McKinney Award for Courage

In 2005, Waccamaw Elementary teachers, Dawn McKinney and Sandy Reyes nominated a 4th grader, Taylor McKinney, to represent their school as an HTC REEL Kid. Taylor battled leukemia from the time she was five-years-old and endured several bone marrow transplants to survive. Although she was in remission for several years, on October 4, 2005, she passed away. HTC and Waccamaw Elementary made the decision to honor Taylor McKinney with the award posthumously. In honor of this courageous young lady, HTC created another award. This award is presented to a REEL Kid who has overcome fear and has exhibited great courage.

History of HTC REEL Kids Program

The HTC REEL Kids program began in the fall of 2000 and was created to recognize one student per school who has overcome a significant obstacle in their life. School counselors are asked to nominate students and, one child from each school in Horry County is awarded the HTC REEL Kids award. The nomination form asks counselors to describe how the nominees have proven themselves through scholastic, athletic and community achievements in the face of recent obstacles or extenuating circumstances. The counselor and principal sign off on the information provided, and the parent/guardian give permission for all personal and academic information to be released publicly by HTC in its efforts to recognize and describe award winners for this honor.

The theme for the REEL Kids luncheon is “Standing Strong.” The media is invited to join HTC at the awards luncheon to help share these inspirational stories with the community. To make your reservation to attend or for more information concerning the HTC REEL Kids Awards, please contact Nicole Hyman, HTC Senior Marketing Coordinator, at 369-8498 or 902-3838.