MUSCATINE, Iowa — For Muscatine students and brothers Anthony and Michael Cox, their extended “family” just got a lot bigger.

Anthony, a Muscatine High School senior, and Michael, a West Middle School eighth-grader, are two of the 30 local students being awarded the Roy J. Carver Excellence in Education award this year.

The Excellence in Education awards were established to recognize Muscatine Community School District eighth-graders, Muscatine High School seniors and staff members who display character in everyday life and a strong work ethic in the classroom.

Nominations from the community are accepted each year for the awards.

This year, 20 MHS seniors will receive $2,500 scholarships and 10 eighth-graders will be awarded $1,000 scholarships to use for college. Four District teachers will receive $1,000 awards and one support staff member will receive $500, which will be used for classroom materials or to further their own education through workshops, seminars and classes.

Michael and Anthony’s mother, Sue Cox, said Anthony, Michael, sister Sara, 20, and brother Paul, 28, display excellence in many aspects of life.

Sue and the children’s father, Robert Cox Jr., separated when Michael was 7-months-old. Since then, she and her children have worked together to make the most of their resources and time.

Sue grew up in Singapore and her family is there, but she learned the people of Muscatine were supportive as she raised her children.

“The community of Muscatine has been a family to us,” said Sue, who runs a seamstress business from her home.

Sue said she always emphasized to her children that respect for themselves and others was the highest priority.

“I always tell my children, ‘Don’t give up and trust the Lord. With God all things are possible,’” she said.

The family has encountered financial hardship along the way, but it hasn’t discouraged the children from becoming successful. Michael and Anthony’s brother Paul was also an Excellence in Education recipient when he graduated from MHS in 1998 and their sister Sara is an assistant manager at U.S. Cellular in Muscatine.

Anthony, 18, is also valedictorian of his MHS class this year. In addition, he is the recipient of a $2,500 George Washington Carver grant from Iowa State University which will pay for four years of tuition and books. He plans to study kinesiology, also know as sports medicine.

Anthony said being a member of the MHS track and football teams for the past four years led to this interest.

Michael, 14, is considering becoming a judge one day.

“He has such a strong sense of justice,” said Sue.

Students who receive the Excellence in Education Awards name a special teacher or other District staff member who encouraged them.

Anthony chose MHS assistant football coach Jacob Mueller.

“I’ve know him for the past three years,” said Anthony. “He’s more than a coach, he a mentor.”

Michael chose his Jefferson Elementary School fourth-grade teacher Luann Garrett.

“I went through some hard times in fourth-grade and she was there for me,” said Michael, referring to family issues encountered at the time. “Mrs. Garrett was like a second mother.”

Anthony and Michael also credit their mother.

“Seeing her never quit has made me never quit,” said Anthony.

Sue said she didn’t pressure her children to study, but she trusted them to do their best.

“When I heard my sons were receiving these awards, it made me feel so good, like I have done something right,” she said.

Details

What: The 2009 Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust Excellence in Education  Scholarship ceremony

Where: The Holiday Inn 2195 U.S. N. Highway 61.

When: 2 p.m. Sunday,

May 17

Who: The public is invited.

Recipients

Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust Excellence in Education scholarship recipients for 2009

Muscatine High School1. Maria Barajas

2. Xavier Bou

3. Jasmine Brent

4. Bradley Cole

5. Anthony Cox

6. Mayra Diaz

7. Vanessa Hagist

8. Hannah Howard

9. Lena Jones

10. Aracely Martinez

11. Ariel Lange

12. Lane Mathis

13. Mackenzie McCracken

14. Karly McDonald

15. Jacob Morrison

16. Emily Reinier

17. Stephanie Strong

18. Jason Taylor

19. Robert Turner

20. Treavor Willis

West Middle School

1. Brandon Berry

2. Alex Edwards

3. Sebastian Fasano

4. Alexandra Madison

5. Christopher McIntosh

Central Middle School

1. Trea Cavazos

2. Michael Cox

3. Kimberly Floyd

4. Bryce Keeler

5. Joshua Montoya

Adult Recipients

1. Teresa Chavarria

2. Shawn Larson-Walgren

3. Andrea Stewart

4. Dolores Torres

5. Mary Whitacre