2009 XO Award Winners
Celebrating extraordinary acts of kindness
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Gail Blattenberger
For over 13 years, Gail has volunteered at the Guadalupe schools teaching English to adult immigrants, despite a personal battle with multiple sclerosis. She has persevered in her weekly service, first using a cane, then a walker, a wheelchair and now a motorized wheelchair. She is an inspiration to her students and fellow volunteers, who admire her will to press forward, and her desire to serve.
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Talana Fawson
Talana has devoted more than two decades to nurturing young minds in Weber County through character development lessons as a school counselor. Talana has implemented a peer leadership program, and been awarded numerous grants in an effort to improve the counseling in her school. She also teaches parenting classes to help struggling parents learn to better help their children.
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Jessica Hamilton
Jessica, a college student, spent two years in India as a volunteer at leprosy colonies. She paid for the trips at her own expense by saving every penny to cover the costs. She has also volunteered at a local literacy center, battered women's shelter, served meals to the homeless, and participated in various charity fundraisers. In her many acts of service, she has come to believe that every single person has value.
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Kaziah Hancock
After deciding to paint portrait of a Utah soldier who was killed in Iraq in 2003, Kaziah began to paint other fallen servicemen and women. As her vision expanded, she started Project Compassion, an organization of volunteer artists who paint portraits of fallen soldiers. Kaziah has personally completed 634 pieces, while her organization has framed and shipped 1,700 portraits to family members.
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Brian Tavoian
Brian, a dentist from Cedar City, travels to remote villages in Guatemala several times a year to provide free dental care for impoverished natives. Brian pays for all the drugs and equipment, and even purchased a portable dental unit that can drill and fill teeth. In many cases, he is able to alleviate suffering that has plagued patients for most of their lives.
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Cody Trotter
In addition to running a successful design and construction business, Cody has donated his time and resources to helping elderly, disabled or low-income individuals improve their living conditions. In many cases, he helps those he hardly knows. Cody believes he has an obligation to share his construction talents, and credits his success to his willingness to give service as often as he is able.
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