Irmo Town Council will honor Irmo Middle School 6th grader Cherish Taylor Tuesday.

Cherish won the annual Palmetto Pride Book Writing and Illustration Contest.

Copies of her book, “Louie’s Park,” will be donated to every SC elementary school.

Cherish will receive a proclamation at 10 am outside the municipal complex, 7300 Woodrow Street.

“I’ve been praying about it that I would win and I was really surprised,” Cherish said.

Jessica Burton, the education program manager for Palmetto Pride, said the book is “whimsical and has a great message tied in with our mission to help prevent litter.

“She’s actually the first contest winner to illustrate and write the book. Normally we do in-house illustrations, but we loved her rendition.”

Cherish’s mother Dinah, said the family knew Cherish had a gift due to her ability to write and draw.

“It’s a confirmation of what we’ve been telling her for years,” her father Rodney said.

“It does wonders for her confidence.”

Lori Wenzinger, Irmo Middle’s Leadership and Service Learning teacher , said, “Being student leaders, we want them to use their gifts and talents to make a difference in their community.”