Jennifer Aniston, Jerry Seinfeld and Kelsey Grammer weren't at Wilmington Area Middle School last week.

But then again, did those TV stars ever have perfect attendance or demonstrate outstanding sportsmanship and accomplishment in band?

After Thursday's "Educational Emmys," many Wilmington eighth-graders can now claim to have won an award even the most revered actor or actress hasn't grasped.

The first-ever eighth-grade awards show was held in the high school auditorium and recognized students for academic, community service and extracurricular achievements ranging from "generosity of spirit" to "no disciplinary referrals."

Each of the 136 eighth-graders received a certificate nominating him or her in a category. Twenty-five students were particularly singled out as winners and took home engraved replica Emmys for their successes.

"This group demonstrates tremendous passion, perseverance and maturity," Martha Shaw, an eighth-grade learning support teacher who opened the program, said of why this year's class fit well with instituting the ceremony.