Cox Communications hosted the annual Cox Inspirational Student Hero Awards in Escambia and Okaloosa Counties. This year, 52 students (37 in Okaloosa) were recognized for overcoming significant hardships in their young lives.  

The students were selected by a committee of school leaders to honor their resilience in the face of adversity. Whether they have overcome the loss of a family member, medical issues, difficult family situations, or other hardships, they have done so with optimism while continuing to encourage and inspire those around them. The Cox Inspirational Student Hero Awards program began 32 years ago in New Orleans, Louisiana, and to date, Cox has recognized more than 5,200 students from Cox markets across the southeast.