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Cameron Hibbert goes onstage to be recognized at the PUSD Rising Stars banquet.
By Abigail Celaya
Originally Published: May 6, 2025
The Daily Courier
The Prescott High School Rising Stars banquet, held annually, honors students who have a 3.5 or higher GPA, have been involved in their school, achieved impressive accomplishments and have endured personal hardships. The banquet serves to honor both the talented student and an educator of their choice who has supported them every step of the way.
Cameron’s two brothers, Marine Lance Corporal Teasdale Douglas and Marine Private First Class Hibbert Michael, showed up at the banquet in uniform to support him.
The two of them stood with Cameron as he accepted his award and watched with him and the rest of the attendees as they played his Rising Star video.
Throughout his life, Cameron, who said he was “severely autistic” in his Rising Stars video package, has been the victim of severe bullying. He suffered a traumatic brain injury when he was 5 years old, and has been to many different schools as a child.
In his video, Cameron said he is inspired by his mother, who is a social worker at the VA and helps veterans across the Prescott area. Another inspiration for him was his experience dealing with bullies.
His experiences are part of why he wants to make a change, and why he became the school’s Special Olympics president. He wanted to change how people view autism and social anxiety.
“By being nice, by being caring for people who got bullied in their past and wanting to make a huge difference in everyone’s life,” Cameron said regarding why he is involved in his school. “Not just being there for them but being a good role model.”
By Abigail Celaya – The Daily Courier
Originally Published: May 6, 2025