MANSFIELD – Each May, a group of students, families, and faculty gather to sit inside Kingwood Center Gardens, the room often filled with the sounds of applause, tears, and stories that most people will never hear.
For the 59th year, Rotary Club of Mansfield member Brigadier “Bill” McGowan’s Courage Awards are back to honor 9 high school students across Richland County for their perseverance in the face of adversity.
The spotlight isn’t on GPAs or sports stats, but on perseverance, character, and heart. Students are nominated by school counselors or staff who recognize the strength it takes to show up, work hard, and stay positive when life isn’t easy.
The award, created nearly six decades ago, continues to recognize students who demonstrate courage in the face of personal hardship, whether that’s navigating difficult family circumstances, overcoming health challenges, or pushing through obstacles that might otherwise derail their education.
Meet Jennifer Alt
Jennifer Alt, chair of the McGowan Courage Awards committee, said the event remains one of the organization’s most meaningful traditions.
“It’s just one of those things that fills your cup. To learn about these kids and meet them and hear their stories…it’s Rotary’s pinnacle event, and everyone is buzzing about the McGowan Courage Awards,” Alt said.
Alt’s connection to the awards stretches back to her own high school years, when she first became aware of classmates being honored. When she was asked to step up and take over the event, she described it as a “full-circle moment.”
She works alongside a small team to organize the event, dividing responsibilities across sponsorships, school coordination, and student communication. Over the years, the process has become more refined, with each committee member taking ownership of a specific role to ensure the event runs smoothly.
Her first experience as chair was a first for everyone – a virtual ceremony two months into the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The following year remained virtual as well, forcing organizers to adapt quickly while still trying to preserve the spirit of the awards.
“We figured it out virtually, but emotions are just more palpable in the room, and you lose that online. It’s important to be able to really celebrate and give these kids the honor they deserve,” Alt said.
For some recipients, the award may be the first time their perseverance has been publicly acknowledged.
“I hope that they see this as hope. We see them. They are heard, they are seen, and we really are truly honored to support them. Some students never receive an award. They don’t realize what they’ve gone through is monumental,”
“They have a friend for life in the Rotary Club,” Alt said.
A lasting, personal impact
Each student honored has a story, often one marked by challenges that extend far beyond the classroom. While every experience is different, the common thread is resilience: the ability to keep going, to continue showing up, even when circumstances are difficult.
While the ceremony itself lasts only a few hours, its impact often lingers. Alt reflects on encounters with past recipients in the community, sometimes years later.
“It’s hard to even put it into words, because it’s so humbling. But, it’s not me … they’re the ones that did the work. We’re just a vessel to receive the award,” Alt said.
Those moments when former recipients stop to say hello or share what they’ve been doing since are a reminder of just how meaningful the recognition can be.
“I’ll see people out in the community, and they’ll say, ‘You gave me my award years ago,’ It’s so neat to see that,” she said.
Beyond honoring individual students, Alt hopes the broader community takes something away from hearing their stories.
“There are students in our communities who are battling things that we could never comprehend or understand,” Alt said.
The ceremony serves as both a moment of reflection and a reminder of the strength within the next generation. But at the same time, offer a sense of optimism.
“The future is bright in Richland County and beyond. The kids that are coming out of our schools — they’re putting the work in, they’re being recognized, and it’s important,” Alt said.
As the McGowan Courage Awards approach their 60th year, the mission has remained unchanged.
As per tradition, the 59th annual McGowan Courage Awards luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. in the Kingwood Center ballroom, with the awards ceremony starting at 11:45 a.m.
