Forty-nine students who attend 18 different public and private schools within the city of Selma were recognized for their achievements in academics and community service at the second annual Mayor’s Inspirational Achievers Awards Banquet Thursday night.

The banquet was held at the Carl C. Morgan Convention Center where proud family members gathered to watch as students from third grade to twelfth grade were presented awards.

Dr. Tyna D. Davis, manager of education policy and professional practice at the Alabama Education Association was the guest speaker of the night and encouraged the students to continue on their path to success.

“You’ve already distinguished yourself, based upon your achievement, your service and your character. You’ve also made a noble statement that you want to excel,” Davis said to the student-filled crowd. “Inspire others and yourself to do what is best and required through your leadership and service.”

Davis continued, urging students to maintain good character, noting there “are those of you who will continue in the footsteps of Terri Sewell, Jeff Sessions, Kathryn Tucker Windham, Shug Jordan and other famous Selmians.”

“You have it in you to succeed, for in Selma there are indeed scholars like you,” she said.

Administrators and principals throughout the city selected one boy and one girl from each grade level to represent their school. Nominees were placed in four categories — third through fifth grades, sixth through eighth grades, grades nine through 11 and 12th grade. One student from each category was then selected as the overall winner.

The 2013 Inspirational Achievers final four, who won a framed certificate, glass-etched plaque and a Kindle Fire HD, included: Derrick Hatcher, Payne Elementary School; Maggie Palmer, Morgan Academy; Mary Logan Kelley, Morgan Academy. And because the scores of each of the four seniors, Caleb Autrey, Morgan Academy; Me’Shellai McWilliams, Selma High School; Xavier Watt, Selma High School; Iverianna Williams, Selma High School; were so close they split the $3,000 scholarship donated by Honda Lock America, each earning $750.

“It just feels wonderful that so many people participated,” Selma Mayor George Evans said following the banquet. “I want to thank them for being apart of this, and they are all winners. I’m proud of them and proud of all the administrators, teachers and parents who made this happen.”

Evans said he has no doubt that each of the students awarded Thursday night have a bright future ahead of them.