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CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A Wirt County High School student has been rewarded for her academic achievement and love of education.
The Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) and the West Virginia Board of Education recognized Brittany Knicely as this year's recipient of the Lamar Plunkett Scholarship Award.
This national award is given annually to one student who exemplifies high academic and community service.
"West Virginia is filled with students like Brittany. She is just one example of the education quality West Virginia has to offer," said State Schools Superintendent David Stewart. "I wish her the best of luck and look forward to seeing her excel in the education community."
Knicely describes going through high school as one of the greatest experiences of life. While attending Wirt County High School, she was an active member the marching band and received honors as an academic letterman and was named "Artist of the Year".
She plans to attend West Virginia University and major in education so she may return to Wirt County and give back to her community as an art teacher.
The SREB wanted to award the Plunkett scholarship to help a young person to attend college. This year's award is in honor of those who have served and are serving in the armed services. Wirt County was selected for its symbolism as the home of PFC Jessica Lynch in hopes that this would strike a chord elsewhere and others might reach out with scholarships as well.
The Plunkett Award is given through the generosity of the family of the late Lamar R. Plunkett, who was a member of the SREB for more than 28 years. A business leader from Bowden, Ga., Plunkett was a Georgia legislator who donated his legislative salary to establish scholarships for students in his district.
The SREB, America's first interstate compact for education, is headquartered in Atlanta, Ga. The 16 member states include: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.
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