2 Carrollwood Youths Honored With Hero Awards

Two Carrollwood youths were among the young heroes recognized by St. Joseph's Children's Hospital during the 16th annual Kids Are Heroes awards ceremony March 27.

Receiving a first-place award in the 9- to 12-year-old category was N'Jhari Jackson of Carrollwood, founder of the "Boys Read With Pride" program.

Jackson is involved in several projects that help local hospitalized kids and encourage young boys to read and discuss books. His book club continues to grow and is now helping kids at three elementary schools.

He also raised funds to help deliver blankets to the families of wounded veterans and delivered pajamas and toys to children in the hospital on Christmas day.

Receiving a third-place award in the 9- to 12-year-old category was Logan Agnew of Carrollwood.

After two of his friends were diagnosed with leukemia, Agnew used his own birthday and Christmas money to start the Tampa branch of LEGOS for Leukemia. He recently donated more than $1,500 worth of LEGOS to St. Joseph's Children's Hospital. The toys will be used to help entertain and comfort hospitalized kids throughout the year.

Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos presented the awards to the boys at the ceremony at the Tampa Bay Time Forum.

A record number of boys and girls age 5 to 18 from Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk counties were recognized during the 16th annual ceremony. The hospital received 170 nominations for the award. 

In January, former Tampa Bay Lightning team captain Dave Andreychuk and ThunderBug helped hospitalized kids at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital choose the winners in three age categories.

At the awards ceremony, each child received a trophy and gifts.

Since 1996, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital has recognized more than 1,400 children who have performed heroic deeds or displayed acts of selflessness and good citizenship.