BRISTOL HERALD COURIER

And now we’re down to five.

Out of a field of 31 nominees, five finalists have been picked for the 27th Pappy Thompson Award, given to the student-athlete who best combines athletics, academics and community service in the Mountain Empire.

The finalists are Marion’s Maggie Graham, Brette Harding of Powell Valley, Rural Retreat’s David Harrison, Jessie Morgan of Patrick Henry and J.I. Burton’s Ethan Stewart.

Profiles on each finalist will run in alphabetical order beginning in Monday’s Herald Courier, with the 27th winner being announced Sunday, May 11.

A brief bio of each finalist appears below:

Maggie Graham

MARION

A three-sport standout, Graham has won a combined 18 district championships in track and field, swimming and cross country at the Smyth County school.

Graham is a five-time All-State pick in cross country and track and field. She was also named the State of Franklin’s 2007 High School Runner of the Year, an award which is contested by runners from Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee.

As a student, Graham is ranked fifth in Marion’s senior class of 169. She’s a three-time recipient of the Big ‘M’ Award, which is given annually to students which maintain a GPA of at least 3.8 through each year of high school.

In the community, Graham has worked with the Special Olympics, as well as taken a mission trip to Mexico and worked with Santa’s Elves Program.

Brette Harding

POWELL VALLEY

Harding’s high school career has included a mix of many activities and a heavy workload.

She has competed in basketball, tennis, track and volleyball and was also part of the marching band for four years and was a drum major for two years.

She attended the National Student Leadership Conference at the University of California in 2006 and has spent time studying and taking part in medical ethics, medical research and patient care simulations.

She also sings in the Appalachian United Methodist church choir and works in a food bank monthly as a volunteer.

Harding is the co-salutatorian of her class and has earned in excess of 24 college credit hours over the last two years.

David Harrison

RURAL RETREAT

Harrison has put together an impressive resume during his high school career. It hasn’t been easy.

As a junior, Harrison broke almost every bone in his hand during the second football game of the season. He underwent surgery on the hand and his future in sports was in doubt. However, after extensive rehabilitation Harrison returned in a big way. As a senior, He rushed for 1,850 yards during football season and finished second in the state wrestling tournament.

In the classroom, Harrison has a 3.939 GPA and ranks eighth in his class. He participates in the Southwest Virginia Governor’s School for Advanced Math and Science and scored 1,630 on his SAT.

Outside of school, Harrison is an Eagle Scout and has part of his duties built a volleyball court at Rural Retreat Middle School.

Harrison will attend West Point, becoming the third member of his family to do so.

Jessie Morgan

PATRICK HENRY

A cross country star, Morgan has made it a habit of going the extra mile in any activity in which she participates.

Morgan was a four-time All-Hogoheegee District and All-Region C performer in cross country and also earned varsity letters in basketball, track, and soccer. She’s also provided leadership and was the team captain of the basketball and soccer teams.

In the classroom, she’s compiled a 4.0 GPA and been a four-time Washington County Community Scholar. Morgan’s also been a member of the PH Concert Choir and was an all-county choice.
Voted most likely to succeed by the peers in her senior class, Morgan also anchors the student news service known as PHTV. An active member of Emory United Methodist Church, Morgan has also helped with service projects in the community including wrapping and shopping for gifts for the Glade Spring Children Organization and organizing food drives.

Ethan Stewart

J.I. BURTON

One of the most accomplished athletes in the history of John I. Burton High School, Stewart has certainly left a legacy at the small school.

He has served as captain of the football, baseball, basketball and track teams and has been a star in all of them. As a quarterback and defensive back of the Raiders’ football team, he played in three state championship games.

In the Norton community, Stewart has stayed busy. He’s a group leader for the Norton Christian Church’s Vacation Bible School and has helped with the town’s youth football and baseball leagues. He’s also been involved in numerous school clubs.

In the classroom, Stewart posted a score of 1,780 on the SAT and compiled a 4.107 GPA.