Mary Camden:  I 'd really like to thank the local businessman 's association for this honor , but I ca n't . Excellence in sports and in life to individuals we have future generations see as role models . I 've never thought of myself as a role model . I go to school and get good grades . I go to basketball games and score points . But a role model , I do n't think so . But there was a real role model who was supposed to receive this award with me today . But at the last minute the committee changed their minds . You all know who I 'm talking about , because for the last 24 hours most of you have done nothing but talk about her . She 's my friend , my teammate . She 's Corey Conway . And when she was _ 14 _ , she had a baby . Corey Conway is a person , not an issue . And the only statement made by celebrating her achievements is to honor that someone who did n't take the easy road in life and did what few others could have done . Finish high school ... With honors ... While raising a baby . I want to let you know how I feel before I bring Corey out on stage and give her my award . Because even if she 's not a role model for the local businessman 's association or for some of the students ate this school , she is for me .