The United States Achievement Academy announced that Chelsea Baldwin from Rincon has been named a United States National Award Winner in cheerleading.

This award is a prestigious honor very few students can ever hope to attain. In fact, the Academy recognizes fewer than 10 percent of all American high school students. Baldwin, who attends Effingham County Middle School, was nominated for this national award by Katie Ward, a coach and teacher at the school.

Baldwin will appear in the United States Achievement Academy’s Official Yearbook, which is published nationally.

“Recognizing and supporting our youth is more important than ever before in America’s history. Certainly, United States Achievement Academy winners should be congratulated and appreciated for their dedication to excellence and achievement,” said Dr. George Stevens, founder of the United States Achievement Academy.

The Academy selects USAA winners upon the exclusive recommendation of teachers, coaches, counselors and other qualified sponsors and upon the standards of selection set forth by the academy. The criteria for selection are a student’s academic performance, interest and aptitude, leadership qualities, responsibility, enthusiasm, motivation to learn and improve, citizenship, attitude and cooperative spirit, dependability and recommendation from a qualified sponsor.

Baldwin is the daughter of Eddie and Cindy Baldwin of Rincon.

Her grandparents are Cathy Dotson of Savannah and Mr. and Mrs. Ed Baldwin of Guyton.