Durr likes being behind the camera

The Youth Performance Award winner for January is Cody Rose Durr, a senior at Grant County High School.

Cody Durr

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Durr, 17, is the daughter of Douglas and Charla Durr of Dry Ridge.

She has three brothers, Andrew, 14, an eighth grader at Grant County Middle School, Chad, 21, who attends Northern Kentucky University and DeWayne, a bus driver for Kenton County Schools.

Her class schedule this year includes, two hours of Advanced Placement calculus, Advanced Placement English, 4, volunteer work as a tutor at the youth service center and a peer tutor for math and foods classes. She has successfully completed numerous college courses at Northern Kentucky University Grant County Center and currently carries three credit hours in psychology at the main campus in Highland Heights. Upon graduation, Durr will have 15 college credits.

Durr works for the Brave’s Report broadcast as a producer, editor, scriptwriter and anchor. She is the vice president of the Grant County High School chapter of the National Honor Society and is a member of the newly formed YPO Club.

Outside of the classroom, Durr works approximately 20 hours at Java Jo’Z in Dry Ridge and did have a second job, but had to give it up.

“Things got really hectic,” Durr said.

Even with her busy schedule, she participates in the Big Brother – Big Sister program, where she meets twice a month with her “little sister.” She is a member of Pleasant View Baptist Church, but also enjoys attending youth activities at Dry Ridge Baptist Church and Grace Baptist Church in Florence.

During the 2009 School, Durr spent a month in training to become a certified lifeguard for the Kenton County YMCA, where she worked last summer.

“That was a lot of fun,” Durr said. “I enjoyed working with the kids.”

She has recently made a 12-week commitment with the “Girls On The Run” program, and will begin mentoring elementary age girls in February.

Durr was nominated for the Youth Performance Award by her grandmother, Bernice Delph of Dry Ridge.

“She excels in everything she does,” Delph said. “She is a kind and compassionate person. She always encourages others to do their best.”

“I started college classes in my junior year,” Durr said. “I’m really independent when it comes to money management and responsibility.”

Upon graduation, Durr plans to get her bachelor’s degree in electronic media from Northern Kentucky University. She hopes her work will pay off in scholarships and grants to supplement the second job that she plans to pick up again.

“I want to be the one who edits and is behind the camera,” Durr said. “I love the environment of being on the set.”

(The Youth Performance Award is sponsored by Performance Pipe and the Grant County News. The award alternates between Grant County and Williamstown high schools. To nominate a deserving student, call 824-3343.)