Special to the Chronicle

The Columbia Urban League hosted its 34th annual Young & Gifted Awards Ceremony Feb. 22 at Brookland Baptist Church.

The ceremony celebrated Black History Month with a tribute to young African Americans.

Swansea High School students were honored at the ceremony. The following students received awards based on Academics: Kennlynn Pressley, Tatum Leaphart, McKenzie Speights, Jasmine Lowman, Megan Morris, Tadrick Hallmon, Chad Hallman, Michael Jones, Najee Smith, Jhania Johnson, ShaKayla McKnight, Lauryn Robinson, Khaitlyn Smith, Devin Sease, Ja’Quan Williams, and Joseph Smith.

Khaitlyn Smith also received an award for the Arts, while Tatum Leaphart, Jasmine Lowman, Michael Jones, and McKenzie Speights received awards for Leadership.

Career and Technology Education awards were given to Tadrick Hallmon, Michael Jones, and ShaKayla McKnight.

The final awards were for athletics were given to Michael Jones, Tadrick Hallmon, Devin Sease, Tatum Leaphart, McKenzie Speights, and Jasmine Lowman.

Tatum Leaphart was chosen for the Spotlight Award. She is a well-rounded student maintaining a high GPA while participating in student organizations and serving her community. She is a member of Beta Club, PEARLS, and Teacher Cadet.

Leaphart volunteers with Gaston Dixie Youth baseball as a t-ball coach. She is a member of the Varsity Cheerleading Squad where she serves as Senior Captain.

Leaphart has been accepted and plans to attend the University of South Carolina to major in Elementary Education.