January 23, 2013 (Tampa, FL) —The Vanguard Award Selection Committee was thrilled to present the December Vanguard Award to Plant High School student athlete, Caroline Gibson, this morning, January 23rd. Vanguard Attorneys, a Florida personal injury law firm, created the award program in recognition of the hard-work, drive and discipline necessary for student athletes to have a positive impact in athletics, academics and the community. Gibson was honored during a special assembly which included the Vanguard Award Presentation and a Safety Presentation put on by the Tampa Police Department.

Gibson, a Plant High School Senior, was nominated by Plant High College and Career Counselor, Ms. Erin Grady. Ms. Grady selected Caroline to participate as a Board Member for Plant’s PEERS Mentoring Program—a program which matches successful 11th and 12th graders with every 9th grade student entering the school in order to help with the transition from junior high to high school. In explaining why she selected Gibson to serve on PEERS board, Grady explains, “She has so much enthusiasm for the program and truly cares about the students.” Gibson is also a standout athlete on Plant’s cross country and track teams and volunteers at The Human Society of Tampa and The Children’s Cancer Center.

Members of the Vanguard Award selection committee honored Caroline in an overflowing gymnasium packed with over a thousand Plant High School students, teachers and administrators cheering her on.

Caroline received a plaque and a $1,000 check in recognition of her outstanding achievements. The poised student athlete was delighted to receive the recognition and took time after the ceremony to thank the members of the committee and to discuss her future college plans.