By Daniel L. Bamberg
Breann Pope is a senior cheerleader at West Blocton High School. She was voted as the school’s Homecoming Queen. She is a West Blocton Ambassador. Currently she is in a dead heat with another student for top class academic honors. Over the past weekend she was in Orlando, Florida with the rest of the WBHS cheerleading squad to compete in the National Championship. Something as small as being nominated for the Bryant Jordan Achievement Award shouldn’t slow her down, right?
The only problem with that idea is that Bryant Jordan awards are not small and they don’t fall out of the sky. The award itself was created to honor those who excel in academics and athletics but have also overcome an obstacle.
Breann lost her mother and brother in an automobile accident but according to West Blocton Principal Doug Milligan she never let that become a reason to underneath a tragedy.
“She is probably the most popular person on campus,” explains Milligan. “She is friendly, outgoing and caring. Everyone loves her. This is a girl who never meets a stranger. She is very thoughtful of others.”
In the upcoming weeks Breann’s portfolio will be reviewed among other region nominees. Winners will then go on to a banquet in April, as classification winners and eventually there will be a statewide winner for each classification. West Blocton High School is a 4A classification.
“There is a good deal of scholarship money attached to this award,” said Milligan. “This award epitomizes class, hard work, and character. Breann certainly lives up to those high standards and we couldn’t be more proud of her.”
Students explain that Breann is not only well liked and outgoing but very humble. Milligan suggests that when a new student needs to be made feel welcome he trusts that student with Breann and often also will send students going through tough issues to Breann. Spanish Teacher, Laura Collins feels enthusiastic bout Breann’s nomination as well.
“I am proud of Breann because she has been through a lot of trials in her life,” expressed WBHS teacher, Laura Collins. “She hasn’t let that hold her back. She stays strong, positive and keeps moving forward.”
About the Bryant-Jordan Award (from AHSAA website)
The Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in conjunction with the Alabama High School Athletic Association created the Bryant-Jordan Student-Athlete Program in 1986. The Board of Directors of the Bryant-Jordan Foundation supervises it.
The objectives of the program are to recognize and honor Alabama students who have by ability and effort achieved a level of excellence in the areas of academics and athletics that is commensurate with their potential.
It is also to make aware to not only athletes but all segments of the student population that it is both important and rewarding for them to strive to be the best that they can be. The program motivates and encourages students to achieve this goal.
The program also exists as a way to encourage and promote the involvement and commitment of Alabama corporations and individuals in helping improve the academic levels of all students.
The initial scholarship offered by the Bryant-Jordan Program was the scholar athlete scholarship. In 1989 the Achievement Award was created. This award is designed to reward the student-athlete who achieves beyond his/her ability both academically and athletically or who may have overcome some obstacle or hardship to achieve success.
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