Congratulations to Harlan County High School freshman Joyanna Cooper and HC Media Specialist Anissa Starr Alred on their recent Black Bear Kindness Awards bestowed on them by the Superintendent’s Student Council.
Joyanna was presented the Black Bear Kindness Award which goes to students who go above and beyond to help others.
“You’re always being supportive at ballgames,” said Council Member Braydon Clay, “And it doesn’t go unnoticed. We appreciate you and the school would be a better place if there were more students as supportive as you.”
She is an avid sports fan, including baseball, softball, football, basketball, volleyball and cheerleading. She attends most athletic events and cheers from start to finish for her fellow students.
Because of her unwavering support, Joyanna was selected by the Harlan County Lady Bears Softball Team to throw out the ceremonial first pitch of the season at the home opener.
She has been a member of the Challenger League baseball team for four years. She also attended the Bounce Out the Stigma Basketball Camp in 2023 and 2024. She was a cheerleader at James A. Cawood Elementary for four years.
In addition, she is a Kentucky fan and loves to attend home football games in the fall each year.
She is the daughter of Jerry and Cassandra Cooper of Harlan.
Alred has been in education for 28 years. She is a graduate of Southeast Kentucky and Community College with an Associates of Arts and Science, the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor’s Degree in Library Science and Union College Master’s Degree in reading/writing specialist and a Rank 1 in principalship.
Her hobbies are reading, walking, shopping, cooking, spending time with family and friends, and attend sporting events. “I Love my kids at HC,” said Alred.
“I thank you,” said Alred to the council. “That is what we are here for. I think of you all as my own kids. I want you to feel welcome. I thank you for being an important part of my life. It makes us proud to see you succeed in life.”
Clay told Alred “We appreciate you going out of your way daily to help students. You never fail when you are on morning duty to tell all the students good morning in the hallway. The seniors also appreciate you taking care of all of their pictures and the many other things necessary to be ready for graduation.”