Tuesday, May 20, 2008
MacMillan, Girani win B’nai B’rith
Winning the B’nai B’rith Award is a big honor for a high school senior athlete.
Becoming the first recipient from a particular school is even bigger.
Laurel MacMillan of Blacksburg and Joey Girani of Franklin County took home the top prize Monday night when they were presented the 58th B’nai B’rith Award by the Israel Friedlander Lodge of Roanoke.
Both were the first students from their respective schools to win the award, which is based 50 percent on athletics, 25 percent on academics and 25 percent on citizenship.
MacMillan, who won the 1,600 meters and 3,200 meters in the Group AA indoor track meet and placed third in the state cross country meet, has signed a scholarship with Virginia.
She did not see herself at the head of the B’nai B’rith field, which includes male and female nominees from 18 local schools.
“I’m very surprised,” MacMillan said. “I didn’t picture myself winning.”
MacMillan, who has helped Blacksburg to state team titles in both cross country and indoor track, has battled an IT band injury this spring and was due some good news.
“This will act as that,” she said.
Girani, who placed second in the 100-yard freestyle in the Group AAA swim meet, will see plenty of time in the water when he reports to the Naval Academy in two months.
He was familiar with the award since his sister, Elise, was Franklin County’s female nominee in 2007.
“Everyone here is so good.,” Girani said. “I was checking it out, trying to figure out the competition.”
MacMillan and Girani each took home a $1,000 scholarship and a huge trophy that might require clearning some space.
“I’m sure they’ll have a spot,” Girani said.
Corey Ware and Greer Sullivan of James River won the Artie Levin Personal Life Award, presented to the nominee with the highest citizenship score.
Ware, a football and basketball standout at James River, will attend Concord (W.Va.) University this fall on a football scholarship. Sullivan, an All-Pioneer District selection in volleyball, basketball and softball for the Knights, will attend Virginia Tech.
