By WESLEY HALLMAN / Sports Editor

Six high school student-athletes from Shelby County have been named Bryant-Jordan Student-Athlete Program region winners during the program’s 27th year of existence.

All 96 Bryant-Jordan region winners in both achievement and scholar athlete categories will be recognized at the program’s annual banquet, which will be held April 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel Ballroom.

Twelve classification winners, including a male and female student-athlete in each category in each Alabama High School Athletic Association classification, will be announced, along with two statewide winners, during the banquet.

Vincent High School senior Courtney Holston was named the Class 2A, Region 5 female achievement winner. Holston is a member of the Yellow Jackets’ softball team.

Calera High School senior Meghan Ryan was named the Class 4A, Region 4 female scholar athlete winner. Ryan is a member of the Eagles’ girls’ soccer team.

Briarwood Christian School senior Kyle Paul was named the Class 5A, Region 4 male scholar athlete winner. Paul is a member of the Lions’ boys’ soccer team.

Oak Mountain High School senior Vicki Hill was named the Class 6A, Region 5 female scholar athlete winner. Hill is a member of the Eagles’ girls’ soccer team.

Thompson High School senior Taylor Cox was named the Class 6A, Region 5 male achievement winner. Cox is a member of the Warriors’ boys’ soccer team.

Spain Park High School senior Jake Hoffman was named the Class 6A, Region 6 male achievement winner. Hoffman is a member of the Jaguars’ football team.

The Bryant-Jordan Student-Athlete Program was created in 1986 by the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in conjunction with the AHSAA. It is supervised by the Board of Directors of the Bryant-Jordan Foundation.

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, 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, and 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 or her ability both academically and athletically or who may have overcome an obstacle or hardship to achieve success.

The program has grown from an $8,000 award program to the present $800,000 award program.