By Gary Lloyd
TRUSSVILLE — Four Hewitt-Trussville Middle School students last week were surprised as winners of the 2014 Belk Service Learning Challenge, a nationwide competition in which students learn about core subjects like science, technology and social studies while making a positive impact through service in their community.
Belk Inc. and Discovery Education surprised Jake Morris, Christian Nichols, Cameron Gallups and Hope Thompson at the school Friday.
Morris and Nichols were first-place winners, their team named “Team Trussville” that created “All About Trussville,” an app that offers Trussville residents the opportunity to engage with the community through various features such as live chat, local news, city map and a search option for nearby volunteer opportunities.
Hewitt-Trussville Middle School
file photo by Ron Burkett
The first-place team will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship per student and a $250 teacher award.
Gallups and Thompson were second-place winners, their team named “To Save a Life” that started a mental awareness project to encourage members of the community who suffer from mental illness to seek treatment. They also created various online support systems through different social media platforms.
The second-place team will be awarded a $500 scholarship per student and a $100 teacher award.
All four students are taught by Amanda McIntosh.
Additionally, each winning student team member and teacher will receive Belk prize packs.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.
