Two Bangs High School students were honored Monday as nominees for the Youths of Inspiration Award at Bruner Auto Group. The Youths of Inspiration Award recognizes young men and young ladies from area high schools who have overcome significant life circumstances and having the courage, discipline and stamina to fight past those obstacles to make impressive achievements in school.

Recipients Brandy Gruben and Andrew Branham are both seniors at Bangs High School and will graduate this spring.

Brandy is the second of five children who had entered the foster care system but were fortunate enough to be adopted by the loving foster parents who had taken them in.  Brandy has overcome her hardships and had become very involved at Bangs High School.

“We’re very proud of her and thought she would be an excellent recipient,” stated Bangs High School Principal Vick Orlando.

Brandy has been a member of the National Honor Society for two years and has served as vice president.  She is currently serving as the editor of the Dragon yearbook staff, which she has been a part of for the past two years.  She also competes in UIL and maintains a 95 average.

Brandy plans to attend Angelo State University and study biology with hopes of becoming a dermatologist one day.

Andrew overcame an unusual personal challenge following his sister’s kidnapping while he was in third grade. His sister was found; however, the family moved quite often in an attempt to find a safe and secure place to call home.  Despite being moved from school to school, Andrew has been able to thrive in school, now taking dual credit classes and maintaining a 3.5 grade point average.  He is also very involved in school activities including being a member of the Dragons football team, which has earned its way into the state playoffs.  He also plans to play basketball this season.

Andrew plans to attend Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia where he will study accounting.  He stated that he chose Liberty University in part because it is a very strong Christian University with the principals he plans to build his career upon.

“I am honored to receive this award and believe that the recovery process is about moving forward and has resulted in the success I have found through this process,” said Andrew.

Also present at the awards presentation was Bangs Independent School District Superintendent Bill Foster, Bangs HS principal Vick Orlando, Bangs HS counselor Kay Ribble, and General Manager Jim Stanley of the Bruner Auto Family.

Bruner Toyota will recognize two students from area high schools each month during this school year.  Each monthly honoree will receive a certificate in the Toyota showroom of Bruner Auto Group.

Each student must be in good standing with his/her high school and be an exemplary citizen. Individual campus counselors recommend their school recipients of the Youths of Inspiration Award.

In mid-May, Bruner Toyota will host a dinner to recognize each of the 20 honorees from the participating campuses. At the event, Bruner Toyota will select one young man and one young woman, who will each receive a $500 scholarship. The school of each selected student will also receive a $500 scholarship donation from Bruner Toyota, for a total of $2,000 presented to individuals and schools.

Pictured above, left to right are Bill Foster, Kay Ribble, Brandy Gruben, Andrew Branham, Jim Stanley, and Vick Orlando.