Hayden's Courage Award
Hayden's Courage Award is presented to a young person who has faced life's hardest challenges but has not given up. Cancer, suicide, trials of every kind, these young people face the fiercest battles, and just like Hayden, they did not quit. They show great courage and choose to persevere no matter how difficult the road ahead.
Hayden's Courage Award is not a scholarship, but a cash award given to use in any manner the recipient chooses. A car, a trip, medical expenses, college, etc.…
Teachers, coaches, and staff nominate a student to receive the award at the end of the school year. The Courage Award is currently in four local schools. Shasta Elementary, Henley Middle School, Triad, and Henley High School.
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2018
At 7, Adam was placed into foster care due to his mother's drug use. After 24 foster homes, Adam was a troubled youth with anger issues. As a senior Adam came to a decision. It was time for a change. Adam credits some "tough love" from his last foster family that helped him begin to own his poor choices. That coupled with caring teachers, and football coaches who modeled unconditional love, Adam began a journey of change.
He credits the football community and their continued support in helping him turn his life around.
Adam graduated high school with 3.7 GPA and received his pharmaceutical certification from the local community college. He has an apartment and is working two jobs.
The "Courage Award" was another tool that encouraged Adam to change his life. Adam says, "I am honored, humbled, and was surprised when the football team voted for me to receive the Hayden's Courage Award." He is especially grateful to Coach Stork and Principal Lee for modeling unconditional love and forgiveness toward him.
2017
While a senior in high school, Boss received heartbreaking news that his father had committed suicide. Boss refused to give up and finished the football season as a strong leader for the team, and graduated from high school.
After graduation, Boss moved outside of Ronan, Montana, and lives on the Flathead Reservation. He completed his CDL and flagger's license along with his heavy equipment operator and highway construction certification. He is currently a firefighter and will be working as a heavy equipment operator in the fall.
Boss credits the football community's encouragement and accountability as one of the supports that helped inspire him to stay strong during a difficult time. He was honored and surprised to receive the first Hayden Crebbin-Palm Courage Award and is humbled to be the first young man in the legacy of the Award.