News
Voorhees student is a recipient of the first-ever TeenNick HALO Award
December 1, 2009
Darrius Snow, a freshman at Voorhees College and native of Atlanta, Ga., is one of four recipients of the first-ever TeenNick HALO (Helping and Leading Others) Awards.
The TeenNick HALO Awards is a new concept in awards shows that features four mega-celebrities who do not receive the awards themselves, but give them out to deserving teens in support of their philanthropic causes. The mega-celebrities participating are Lebron James, Alicia Keys, Hayden Panettiere and Justin Timberlake.
Created, hosted and executive produced by TeenNick Chairman Nick Cannon, the TeenNick HALO Awards will premiere on Friday, Dec. 11, at 8 p.m. (ET), on TeenNick, Nickelodeon's 24-hour TV network exclusively for and about teens, followed by an encore presentation at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nick at Nite. The show will also feature an exclusive personal message from First Lady Michelle Obama.
Snow, who is 19 years old, successfully built up and ran Bankhead Teens Encouraging Action by Motivating (BTEAM) in 2005, which is an organization that strives to motivate its community by developing strong minds, encouraging academic excellence and increasing social responsibility.
"It was an honor to receive this award on behalf of the children in my neighborhood," said Snow. "The kids in my community deserve this award more. Without them, this award would not have happened."
Some of the community service events that BTEAM participates in include cleaning up the community, sponsoring back-to-school fundraisers for student supplies, tutoring students in after-school programs and feeding the homeless.
As a recipient of a TeenNick HALO Award, Snow received $10,000 in scholarship money to attend Voorhees, $10,000 to continue his organization and an once-in-a-lifetime experience with LeBron James, who shares a similar passion for Snow's cause.
Snow was orphaned at age 2 and raised by his oldest cousin, Vivilore Rogers. Snow became the first person in his family to graduate from high school and attend college.
Graduating from high school with a 3.5 grade point average, Snow also earned a Dean's scholarship to Voorhees College.
The TeenNick HALO Awards will highlight the unique story of Snow, along with the other three recipients.
Photo Credit: Matt Sullivan/Nickoledeon
Snow is pictured to the left with NBA star Lebron James and TeenNick Chairman Nick Cannon.