Young people from more than 40 elementary and middle schools in Coweta, Fayette and Pike counties were recognized this spring for some important non-academic achievements.

The Mahaffey Linkous All Smiles Awards, presented by Dr. Mike Mahaffey and Dr. Eric Linkous of Mahaffey Linkous Orthodontics, recognizes students in grades 4-8 who consistently uplift their peers and embody a generous spirit.

“We are proud to partner with our schools to spotlight students who bring joy and encouragement to those around them,” said Dr. Mahaffey. “These young leaders remind us how powerful a smile and a kind word can be.”

For demonstrating these traits, each award recipient receives a certificate, an Amazon gift card, and a yard sign. Every school participating in the program receives a matching donation from Mahaffey Linkous Orthodontics.

“This program is about more than recognition,” said Dr. Linkous. “It’s about building a culture of character. It’s one of the most meaningful things we do each year.”

This year’s award winners were nominated by school staff or selected by their peers for their compassion, inclusivity, and positive attitude. Their stories are reminders that character matters and that it should be celebrated.

Kayden Hamilton, an eighth-grader at Landmark, became the first student at any school to win the award two years in a row. To say she did not expect it would be a huge understatement.

“I was flabbergasted,” she said of the moment when she heard her name called this time. “At first I thought it was a mistake or something.”

Kenya Hamilton, Kayden’s mom, spoke to a school administrator after the ceremony who confirmed that, while the staff was well aware of her win last year, they felt she was deserving again.

“We give all the praise, all the glory to God for that because it is definitely His light that shines through her,” said the proud mom. “I am definitely blessed to have a daughter who walks that walk and makes other people feel great on the inside and outside.

Kayden used her gift card to make her nails sparkle and to do something nice for her dad on Father’s Day.

“I just like to make people feel good because that’s something that the Lord tells us to do,” she said. “A good servant leader is the best quality of a leader. I like to display that and everything that I do, especially with my friends.”

Congratulations to all of this year’s All Smiles Award recipients across the three-county region.

Parents interested in helping their child achieve a confident smile are invited to schedule a complimentary consultation with Mahaffey Linkous Orthodontics by calling 770-487-6439 or visiting peachtreecitybraces.com.

Fayette County Schools

Elementary – Braelinn 5th: Weston Davis, 5th: Lyla Daniels; Cleveland Elementary 5th: Gabriella Kiser, 5th: Jair Jimenez; Crabapple Lane 4th: Naomi Cage, 5th: Valentina Gonzalez; Fayetteville 5th: Colin Kilburg, 5th: Alexandreya Irvin, Huddleston 4th: Keyrah Duran, 5th: Tillie Lafferty; Inman 4th: Sebastian Futrell-Roberts, 5th: Dylan Mullis; Kedron 5th: Maya Tengeri, 5th: Noah Earnshaw; North Fayette 4th: Audrey Hart, 5th: Autumn Moran; Oak Grove 4th: Kai Kilgore, 5th: Rian Berkolli; Peachtree City 4th: Emelia Witucki, 5th: Brynlee Dykes; Peeples 4th: Molly Turner, 5th: Maddox Miller; Robert J. Burch 4th: Taliyah Wright, 5th: Kaylin Mason; Sara Harp Minter 5th: William Kuhn, 5th: Aleeza Kashif; Spring Hill 5th: Chimamanda John, 5th: Alexander Watson

Middle – Bennett’s Mill 6th: Elias Sanders Stroud, 7th: Madelyn Stohrer, 8th: Reese Rader; Flat Rock 6th: Liam Campbell, 7th: Jylen Slaton, 8th: Paisely Brewer; J.C. Booth 6th Rhea Patel, 7th Guillermo Duran, 8th Regan McComb; Rising Starr 6th: Taylor Rathburn, 7th: Eddie Lovett, 8th: Cara Greenberg; Whitewater 6th: Wyatt Allred, 7th: Sam Murphy, 8th: Jade Sales

Coweta County Schools

Elementary –  Arbor Springs 4th: Mila Bulter, 5th: Stormy Conti; Canongate 4th: Kaleigh Nelson, 5th: Maxx Blum, 5th: Kylee Chapman; Newnan Crossing 4th: Sophia Lachenmyer , 5th: Levi Kenner; Poplar Road 4th: Khloe Harrell, 5th: Alycia Paige; Thomas Crossroads  4th: Avery Parrott, 5th: Maya Gillett; Welch Elementary 4th: Michael Olajubutu, 5th: Maya Coulter; White Oak Elementary 5th: Belinda Diaz Gabriel; Willis Road 4th: Victoria Callaway, 5th: Liam Naramore

Middle – Arnall 6th: Noeon Gates, 7th: Nathan Cunningham, 8th: Jin Chang; Blake Bass Middle 6th: Aaliyah Morgan, 7th: Madison Craig, 8th: Eliana Sill; East Coweta 6th: Merkabah Countryman, 7th: Caitlin Fiessinger, 8th: Addalyn Clearie; Lee 6th: Ava Triola, 7th: Elija McCaskill, 8th: De’Andre Thomas

Private/Charter Schools

Central Christian School 4th: Shelby Wood, 5th: Kason Cherry, 6th: Embry Handley, 7th: Camden Petrello, 8th: Barrett de la Rosa; Coweta Charter Academy 4th: Joshua Haye, 5th: Kassandra Caballero, 6th: Cheyenne Tidwell, 7th: Kenny Pineda, 8th: Journey Richardson; Crosspointe Christian 4th: Kinsley Brown, 5th: John Rodriguez, 6th: Zatanna Wilson, 7th: Kepler Collins, 8th:June Hardiman; Harps Crossing Christian Academy 4th: Judah Danford, 5th: Cheyenne Herron, 6th: Evan Braley, 7th: Emery Moxon, 8th: Lucas Plampin; Landmark Christian School 6th: TJ Jordan, 7th: Virginia Parker, 8th: Kayden Hamilton; St. Paul Lutheran School 4th: Everett Hale, 5th: Daniel Enns, 6th: Asher Blonk, 7th: Nina Camel, 8th: Sarah Adebola; The Bedford School 4th: Bryson Willis, 5th: Gentry Powell, 6th: Nathan Coffin, 7th: Suraya Johnson, 8th: Dillon McClain, 9th: Jake Taylor, 9th: Aerleigh Wiggins, Trinity Christian School 4th: Finley Shaver, 5th: Leland Kidd, 6th: Johnathan Dao, 7th: Liam Peters, 8th: Addie Cherry

Cara G., a student at Rising Starr Middle, received the Mahaffey Linkous All Smiles Award.

Eddie L., a student at Rising Starr Middle, received the Mahaffey Linkous All Smiles Award.

Taylor R., a student at Rising Starr Middle, received the Mahaffey Linkous All Smiles Award.