CORNING, N.Y. (WENY) -- Today marked the 19th year for First Heritage Federal Credit Union’s “Everyday Heroes” awards. 77 students were honored Friday afternoon from 19 high schools across the Twin Tiers.  

The event is about celebrating the local heroes who do not always get the recognition they deserve.  

“When I first got the email that I had been chosen for this ceremony, I was very excited and surprised,” Corning-Painted Post High School’s “Everyday Hero,” Christina Twiggs, said.  

Twiggs could not believe she won the $1,000 prize at the end of the ceremony. She said the entire experience has been an ongoing surprise.  

“I knew that I was doing activities, but I didn’t think I’d be recognized so receiving this award is just confirmation to keep continuing what I’m doing and it’s really just motivation for me to continue volunteering for my community and other people,” she said.  

The prize money that Twiggs won is going to be invested in her education. Twiggs said she plans to major in biology and follow the pre-med track.  

“I have committed to Howard University,” she said. “The award will support my effort at changing the health care system for people of color.” 

Corning High School Learning Center’s “Everyday Hero” Mei-Li Stone said being chosen for this award was unexpected.  

“I’m pretty big on community service,” she said. “I work for the Arts Council of the Southern Finger Lakes...I get a lot of hours usually. I just like to make everybody feel comfortable...make everybody feel happy.” 

Christy Parsons with First Heritage said these awards are a wonderful way to celebrate students who deserve to be in the spotlight for their hard work. 

“A lot of them don’t feel like they are deserving of an award,” she said. “They are just going through their everyday...doing the things that they feel are right and important and don't necessarily think it’s award-worthy. But we are here to tell them that it is.” 

WENY News is also a proud partner with First Heritage for the “Everyday Heroes” program. 

Award Winners: 

Addison High School: Bryson Crandall, Aurora Jacobson, Lincoln Nichols, Kaylee Keech 

Campbell-Savona: Anthony Buckley, Harley Dodge, Emily Payne, Willow Koperczak, Emma Roy 

Corning Christian Academy: Grant Thomas, Ariel Major, Abigail LaScolea, Zhyaire K. Williams-Driscoll

Corning-Painted Post High School: Jigar Maisuria, Dorothy Piech, Sofia Scouten, Christina Twiggs

Haverling Central High School: Raegan Elmore, Jadyn Pragle, Morgan Knowles, Lawrence Duncan IV

High School Learning Center: Sophie Gilbert, Mei-Li Stone, Emily Graham, Amanda Hakes

Hornell High School: Elijah Chace, Norah Foreman, Kathy Le, Vivian Smith

Horseheads High School: Shane Lohmuller, Anthony Miller, Kiersten McCarthy, Shaelyn Thomas

New Covenant Academy: Kathryne White, Emily Griffin, Natalie J. Heck

North Penn Mansfield High School: Martina Bradford, Marley Kunsman, Megan Spohn

Notre Dame High School: Bunny Baldwin, Dylan Mattoon, Shannon Craig, Katarina Martin

Thomas A. Edison High School: Cody Lucero, Kaleb Podoliak, Maycie Bennett, Raffaella Mannino, Shay B. Law

Troy High School: Taleka Stahle, Colin Loveland, Amber Jo White, Luke Feldmeier

Twin Tiers Christian Academy: Theresa Maki, Kaylee A. Shanks, Gradey G. Golden, Kaden Coleman

Watkins Glen High School: Drake Croft, Julia Spahalski, Isaiah Rudy, Philip Cummings

Wellsboro Area High School: Rosalie Ladd, Ethan West, Isobel Anderegg, Hayes Campbell

Williamson: Iris Abel, Darby Crance, Olivia Meisner, Phillip Robertson