Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) recently unveiled the initial winners of its Mazda Heroes: Honoring The Human Spirit program. Winners are set to be announced throughout the month of December and honored with a special ceremony in their local community.
The first round of Mazda Heroes features Triana Davis, a fifth grade teacher at Dawson Elementary School in Jackson, Miss.
Remote learning has been a challenge for families across the nation, but for some, lack of home computers and internet access have made it especially challenging.
At the height of the pandemic, Davis created and personally delivered custom curriculum to her students facing this situation to keep them engaged. Desiring to encourage her students when they missed out on the traditions of graduation, Davis also created special commemorative t-shirts, goodie bags, and custom-engraved medals for each of them.
“At school, most students in Mississippi have access to the high-speed internet connection they need to support digital learning,” Davis wrote in her guest column in Jackson’s “Clarion Ledger” newspaper. “But at home, 42 percent of Mississippi families do not have high-speed internet, and 17 percent do not have a computer or device, according to an analysis from the Alliance for Excellent Education and civil rights groups.
“My students — all of whom come from low-income households — have figured out how to get internet access even if they don’t have it at home,” she wrote. “Some sign in from a day care, where they have to go because their parents work. Others have had to travel to library parking lots to use the free WiFi or go to neighbors’ houses. And some of my students, even if they can join my class virtually, have such slow or spotty internet connections that I end up having to repeat myself a lot to ensure they hear me despite the glitches.
“My students deserve better, and it’s time for Congress to step up to help all students — no matter their zip code — with high-speed internet access,” Davis said. “ “Educators are doing our best to serve students where they are right now, but there is so much more we could do if we had the resources to ensure every student is connected to the internet at home. Our children are depending on us.”
Davis’ video can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsQkeSBWm2M&feature=youtu.be
Mazda’s initiative was created to shine a light on individuals across the country who have dedicated themselves to their communities throughout 2020 and acknowledge the impact their efforts have made on those around them. After receiving nominations from across the nation between Oct. 5 – 25, MNAO selected 50 winners based on their demonstrated selfless acts, creative thinking, and contributions to the community. Considering the brand’s value of omotenashi — the Japanese culture of putting others needs first — each hero will be honored with a special part of Mazda’s history, a Mazda MX-5 Miata 100th Anniversary Special Edition.
“This year has been full of challenges and we wanted to lean into our brand’s heritage of finding innovative ways to brighten people’s lives,” MNAO President Jeff Guyton said. “We were inspired to create the Mazda Heroes program to honor all those who are working tirelessly to uplift their own communities.”
Additional Mazda Heroes stories can be found by visiting www.MazdaUSA.com/mazda-heroes.
