By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

BIRMINGHAM–Helena senior Maggie Blanton, and 104 other high school seniors across the state of Alabama recently received awards at the 32nd annual Bryant-Jordan Student Athlete Awards Banquet on April 10, at the Birmingham Sheraton Hotel.

The award banquet was named after two Alabama sports legends – Paul “Bear” Bryant and Ralph “Shug” Jordan, according to the organization.

The Bryant-Jordan Scholarship Program brings together the best and brightest high school senior student-athletes from 52 regions in Alabama awarding college scholarships to celebrate their achievements. The Bryant-Jordan Program honors students who are exceptional academically, as well as those who have overcome major obstacles to succeed.

Blanton is a member of the Helena Huskies softball team and received the Scholar Athlete Award for Class 6A Region 4.

The Scholar-Athlete Award honors high school seniors who are both superior athletes and outstanding students. Selection considerations include: scholastic standing, sport involvement, athletic honors, student leadership and civic/church leadership.

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

Those chosen to receive the awards are nominated by a principal, coach or athletic director.

More than $300,000 were awarded in scholarships and each regional winner received $2,500 and each class winner an additional $3,000. The state winners also received an additional $3,000, according to the AHSAA.

In addition to Blanton, Christopher Johnson of Westminster Christian and Samantha Kay Slaughter of Shelby County High School also received Bryant-Jordan Scholar Athlete Awards.