- [Narrator] Meet Jacori Gaddis.

Jacori is a senior at Thompson High School in Alabaster.

The youngest of six children, he has a GPA of 4.0, and has been inducted into the National Honor Society Sociedad Honoraria, Rho Kappa, and the Mu Alpha Theta.

Jacori is known throughout his community for his generous spirit, volunteering at church and helping elderly neighbors and family members.

At age four, Jacori was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome.

He struggled with the physical and social side effects of the condition, but persevered and overcame as he got older.

- I was looking at something about ancestors, people doing different research on their ancestors, and the commercial came up and it really intrigued me.

And I nudged my husband, and I said, "Well, I'm going to nominate my baby."

Jacori is very, very loving.

He's very compassionate and cares about the next person.

- Well, the qualities that I have observed in Jacori is that first of all, he listens.

He is very given to instruction and that can come from nowhere except for his upbringing from his home and from his loving parent.

- What really inspires me is my family.

I'm very thankful for them and God, giving me the intelligence just to go out and become a scholar and all things I do.

I would say to the young people of Alabama always trusting in God.

He'll make a way even when it seems like nothing is possible.

- [Narrator] For his commitment to academics, family, and his community, Alabama Public Television proudly recognizes Jacori as one of the five Young Heroes of Alabama for 2023.

Learn about all of APT's Young Heroes and how to nominate a student for the 2024 awards at aptv.org/heroes.