Joey Shuler, a Smoky Mountain High School senior and New Century Scholar, has been named the recipient of the Drew Hamilton Award of Excellence for 2006.

Steven Joey Shuler holds the Drew Hamilton Award of Excellence presented to him by Margaret Hamilton, left, mother of the late Drew Hamilton, during the recent New Century Scholars awards ceremony held at Southwestern Community College. With them is Patty Wilson, coordinator for the NCS program in Jackson County.

This award is presented annually to a New Century Scholar who demonstrates exemplary character, academic ability and dedication to community service. It is given in honor of the late Drew Hamilton who was selected as a New Century Scholar in 2000 as he entered the seventh grade. His mother, Margaret Hamilton, presented the award to Shuler at the recent NCS awards ceremony at Southwestern Community College.

Speaking before the presentation, Patty Wilson, Jackson County NCS coordinator, recalled Drew Hamilton's time as a New Century Scholar.

"Drew worked hard and was proud to be a New Century Scholar. He set goals for himself and met challenges head on. As an elementary student, Drew struggled to learn to read. But he was determined," Wilson said. "With the help of tutors, he succeeded. As a middle grade student, he was challenged by cancer. But Drew never let cancer stop him from achieving his goals and living his life."

Wilson went on to say that Hamilton participated in NCS activities, completed his volunteer work, turned in all his homework while in the hospital and graduated from Smokey Mountain Elementary School.

"Joey exemplifies Drew's spirit of determination," Wilson said. "Joey, like Drew, has also faced adversity. In February Joey suffered a hip fracture due to osteomyelitis that destroyed his hip socket. After hip replacement surgery and many months of physical therapy Joey is walking with the assistance of a cane. Throughout his recovery Joey has kept his grade point average high, completed volunteer service requirements, and participated in New Century Scholar and Upward Bound activities. Joey is doing his senior project on joint replacements and is being mentored by Dr. Cliff Faull.

"Like Drew, Joey has not allowed this obstacle to deter him from meeting his challenges head on with a positive attitude. It is for this reason that Joey is awarded the Drew Hamilton Award of Excellence for 2006."

To learn more about the New Century Scholars program, visit the SCC website at www.southwesterncc.edu or contact Patty Wilson at pwilson@email.jcps.k12.nc.us.

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