Altamont Senior Wins BBB 'Student of Ethics' Award

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Published on September 21 2015 11:15 am
Last Updated on September 21 2015 11:51 am
Written by Greg Sapp

Travis Whitt, a senior at Altamont Community High School in Altamont, is among four winners of Better Business Bureau (BBB) “Student of Ethics” awards for 2015.

The award provides $2,500 toward college or trade school expenses and recognizes students who demonstrate high ethics through leadership, community service, personal integrity and academic achievement. The awards are made possible through sponsorships by Charter Communications, Caleres, Drury Hotels and Graybar.

CHARACTERplus, a program of EducationPlus, selected the students from 135 applicants based on their essays, community service, academics and other achievements.

Whitt plans to study economics in college. In his essay, Whitt said he faced a tough decision when a friend offered him drugs at a summer youth experience. He said the decision to inform leaders about it cost him a friendship, but he felt he could help his friend in the long run and do the right thing by reporting the incident.

Whitt will be recognized along with three other Student of Ethics winners at BBB’s TORCH Awards at noon Friday, Nov. 13, at the Chase Park Plaza. The TORCH Awards also recognize businesses and charities that exemplify high ethics in their treatment of customers, employees and suppliers.

Tim Barklage and Kevin Tibbs, co-founders of St. Louis-based Better Life, will be the keynote speakers. Better Life produces a line of environmentally friendly cleaning products. Nichole Berlie, anchor of KSDK Channel 5’s Today in St. Louis, will emcee the TORCH Awards.

The Nov. 13 event is in the Khorassan Room at the Chase Park Plaza at noon. Tickets for the luncheon are available at $60 a person. Tables for 10 are available at $600. To reserve a ticket, go to www.bbb.org/stlouis/events. For additional information, contact BBB at 314-645-0606 or email  executive.assistant@stlouisbbb.org.

High school juniors who will graduate in 2017 may apply for the 2016 Student of Ethics awards online at this link. Applications are due by May 30, 2016.