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PORT NECHES — Ledger Hansing and Ayvah Doyle, Port Neches Middle School students, have earned American Legion Awards.

School counselor Raina Nichols said the American Legion Award is given only to one eighth grade boy and girl at the school. Students are nominated and voted on by faculty and staff.

Nichols said these students demonstrate courage, honor, leadership, patriotism, scholarship and service.

Hansing, 14, maintained an A honor roll for eight years.

His academic excellence is paralleled by his athletic abilities. He excelled in multiple sports, including two years with Warrior Football, basketball and track and field, one year in Warrior Soccer and clinched the first place district champion title in discus.

His dedication and hard work earned him the Winning Warrior title for three consecutive years, from sixth through eighth grade.

Beyond sports and academics, Hansing participates in the Encounter Youth Group and contributes as a helper in the Children’s Church Department at Encounter Church.

His leadership skills are highlighted by his role as vice president of the National Junior Honor Society, where he has been a committed member for two years.

He is excited to start at Port Neches-Groves High School in the fall and plans to continue working hard.

Doyle, 14, is the daughter of Jonathan and Kaycee Doyle. She is on the A Honor Roll, a member of the Student Council and a member of the National Junior Honor Society.

She played on the volleyball team, is a varsity choir member, a member of the Student PTA and is very active in First Priority and her Encounter Church Youth Group, where she leads worship and volunteers on the Youth Dream Team.

Doyle has received numerous awards this year, including Winning Warrior for good character, Kind Warrior for showing kindness to her teachers and classmates, received the Outstanding Soloist Award at the Solo and Ensemble competition and earned Sweepstakes placing for Choir.

She received the Spirit of Choir Award voted on by all students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades.

Doyle held the city pageant title of Future Miss Port Neches this year and holds the title of Miss Harris County’s Teen.

She will pursue her goal of becoming Miss Texas’ Teen America at her pageant this June and will be competing as the youngest competitor across Texas.

She is involved in her community, advocated this year for the American Heart Association, and is the founder of her kindness campaign called Sleeves of Encouragement.

Doyle is excited to head into her high school career to pursue her journey into NDN Press and journalism. In the future, she is interested in a career in broadcasting for Formula 1 Racing.