By Adam Dodson | The Selma Times-Journal

Seven students with special needs in the Selma area will be recognized for their achievements in the classroom as the recipients of awards from the J.C. Bates Children Education and History Museum. Six children from the elementary-middle school level and one senior high school student will be honored for their hard work and positive attitudes.

According to Carolyn Bates, owner of the Children Museum and member of the Autism Society of America, the six elementary and middle school level students come from R.B. Hudson and the School of Discovery. These students are: Ajayleen Callies, Isiah Jabo, Jay’terris Ross, Kiraco Todd, Joshua Jackson, Eseiah Lewis. This award ceremony will take place on May 14 at 11:15 a.m. at the Children Museum.

Another student from Selma High is going to be the recipient of the Joe Calton Bates Achievement Award, created by the Selma Disabilities Advocacy Program (SDAP) to acknowledge students who are differently-abled for their work in school. This year’s recipient is senior Jhaquoria Washington, who grew up in the SDAP Child Advocacy After School and Summer School Programs. She will receive her reward as part of a scholarship ceremony at Selma High on May 16 at 9:30 a.m.

Recognizing Washington for her years of success in the classroom is something that brings Bates joy.

“This year’s recipient is very special and dear to my heart. This award gives special needs students the opportunity to be recognized with their peers for their twelve years of hard work,” Bates said.

For Bates, who has worked over eighteen years with children, she just wants the kids to realize they are just as capable as anyone else.

“I want them to realize that it does not matter if they have special needs. For a lot of them this is the only time they receive recognition all year,” Bates said.