HTC REEL Kids: A Year to Remember
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! School is back in session! A new year, full of great opportunities. That’s the sentiment for the HTC Marketing team. A new school year means a new year of REEL Kids!
What’s a REEL Kid?
The REEL in REEL Kid stands for Recognizing Extraordinary Examples of Leadership. Students from Pre-K through 12th Grade and reside/attend school in the tri-county area are eligible for the award.
What are the criteria for a REEL Kid?
In addition to school enrollment, a REEL Kid is one who has proven leadership abilities through scholastic, athletic and community achievements in the face of obstacles or extenuating circumstances. For example, a student could be dealing with an illness or medical condition, loss of a parent or family member or transition from another country yet proves him/herself in the school and the community.
A student is nominated by a representative at their school. And while there are students who will always be considered eligible due to their chronic condition, each year there is someone that is dealing with a situation that makes him/her eligible for the REEL Kid award.
What are the origins of REEL Kids?
The program began in 2000, as a new HTC community initiative. Centered around the story of Meagan Connor, a young woman at Loris High School who was fighting cancer. Conner was athletic with a bubbly personality and her dream was to be a cheerleader. However, due to chemo and an amputation, she was not able to realize that dream.
The first REEL Kids banquet was held on May 24, 2001, and although Connor was unable to attend, she was one of 39 students recognized.
Sadly, Meagan passed away in September 2001. But her story, and her fight, were an inspiration for the REEL Kids program.
Special Recognition Awards
Meagan’s passing also led to a special trophy, keeping her memory alive. To date, four HTC REEL Kids passed away in the year of their nomination and each student has been remembered in a special way. They are:
Meagan Conner Award (2003-2019):
During the inaugural year 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 ceremony. Her story touched everyone, and this award was created in her honor.
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, who made a lasting impression at the time of the interview and displays strong character, determination and perseverance.
Taylor McKinney Award for Courage (2006-2019):
In 2005, Waccamaw Elementary teachers, Dawn McKinney and Sandy Reyes nominated a fourth 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, to be presented to a REEL Kid who has overcome fear and has exhibited great courage.
John Lucsko Trophy (2017-2019):
In 2016, HTC was fortunately able to capture a few moments with the Burgess Elementary School REEL Kid nominee, a fifth grader, John Lucsko. On January 13, 2016 John sat down for an interview.. It was a day when he was feeling great and confident of his future.
Although John passed away on April 30, he passed along encouragement to all future REEL Kids to persevere and be victorious over any struggle they encounter. On his behalf, HTC introduced the third honorary award named after a REEL Kid.
Jonah Burton (2023):
Jonah battled brain cancer for most of his life, but it didn’t keep him from achieving great things. He aspired to be a police officer when he grew up. In October 2022, he became an honorary member of the Myrtle Beach Police Department.
Jonah was unable to be a part of the filming of his video in November 2022. On December 24, 2022, three days after his eighth birthday, Jonah passed away. His parents were presented a posthumous award and HTC donated $1,000 each to the Horry, Georgetown and Marion County Police Departments in Jonah’s memory.
A Renewed Vision for REEL Kids
The REEL Kids program has changed over the years. Initially, only students in Horry County were eligible. However, with HTC’s expansion into Georgetown and Marion Counties, in 2021 the program grew to include all schools in the tri-county area.
Post-Covid, the celebration that once took place in hotel banquet halls, moved to a venue geared to kids. The students for the past three years have spent a day enjoying Ripley’s Aquarium.
A Silver Celebration
The first event in 2001 had 39 REEL Kids. In 2024, 84 students and more than 300 guests were in attendance. To date, more than 1,200 students have been recognized by HTC.
This year celebrates the 25th anniversary of REEL Kids and HTC will celebrate in a big way.
To commemorate the occasion, plans are underway to not only recognize the class of 2025, but to reunite with REEL Kids from years past. Amidst the sadness of the heroic kids who have passed are stories of adults now finding success in a wide array of occupations, as well as making a difference in their communities.
Do you know a REEL Kid, or are you one? Connect with us at socialmedia@htcinc.net!
