Published: May 28, 2008 10:03 pm         

Emotionally supportive Riley student wins first Cameron Langenfeld Award

RILEY — Amidst emotional teachers and parents, a “self-appointed hug brigade” was honored with the first annual Cameron Langenfeld Award at Riley Elementary School’s graduation Wednesday.

Langenfeld, a former Riley student, was killed by an alleged impaired driver while riding his bicycle last June.

And his mother, retiring teacher Pam Bird, said the award’s winner Hailee Wright was one of the students who helped hug her through the tragedy.

“I’m very proud of the recipient,” Bird said after the graduation and award presentation ceremonies.

The Riley community established the award this year, creating a plaque with Langenfeld’s picture on it and the name of Wright and future winners.

Nominated by their teachers, seven Riley students were then reviewed by five community members for “exemplary character and citizenship,” as well as personality, empathy and perseverance.

“I’m very pleased this many kids were nominated,” she said of the seven nominees, each of whom was given a medal with the words “Attitude is Everything” printed on them.

Wright, along with the medal and her name on the plaque, was awarded a $50 savings bond and a $25 gift card to Wal-Mart.

“I’m very proud and I didn’t realize this was going to happen,” the newly graduated fifth-grader said after being named.

Future winners will be selected based on the same criteria, Bird said.