Courage Award
On Target For Life Award winner
Emily Dawson
Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School
The 2016 On Target for Life Courage Award winner is Emily Dawson from Lexington Kentucky. Below is an excerpt from her nomination illustrating the kind of impact she has made as a part of her local NASP® team. Emily was recognized at the 2016 NASP® National Awards Ceremony in Louisville KY on May 14, 2016.
Her nominators said: Four days after winning second place in an archery tournament, Emily was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma (bone cancer). Despite 120 nights at UK Children’s Hospital, 32 rounds of high-dose chemo, and a nine hour limb salvage surgery, Emily has persevered through more than most people will ever experience in a lifetime. She has not only persevered to graduate school on time, but has remained involved with archery these past 2 years – while waiting for her prosthetic leg. She currently practices & shoots at tournaments from a chair. As an archery captain, she helped organize the team to distribute gifts to kids hospitalized.
She is an amazing young lady who shows courage everyday since she learned she had bone cancer. She even took a geometry test in the hospital right before a chemo treatment. Emily let the school newspaper, the Lamplighter, write a story as well as produce a video about her. The video was shown to the entire school in September. It takes courage to do that! I uploaded the article. Here is the link to the video/school broadcast: https://youtu.be/_IwqzclnZKs
Her Guidance Counselor said, “I have known Emily for three years at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. Emily demonstrates both leadership and compassion. She is a role model for peers, as she not only teaches others; she represents her principles through service as a way of life. Emily’s wealth of knowledge, motivation, and openness to new experiences exemplify her exceptional character. She is a true inspiration and an angel to so many people that she has touched.”
The National Archery in the Schools Program is proud to recognize Emily Dawson for her inspirational attitude and positive daily example for her school, community and members of her local NASP® team. Emily will receive a $500 College Scholarship from NASP® to the college of her choice.
Or email Dr. Tommy Floyd at: tommy.floyd@naspschools.org