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Two Andalusia High School seniors have been awarded both the Bryant-Jordan Scholar Athlete scholarship and the Bryant-Jordan Achievement Regional Awards.

Senior Matthew Beasley has played tennis for the Bulldogs his entire high school career.

“I am very happy to receive this award,” Beasley said. “This is my last season of tennis and I hope to go all the way to state. I think I have a good chance this year.”

Beasley plans to attend Auburn University and earn his degree in aerospace engineering.

Senior Omar Cowan lettered in three sports in his high school career; football, basketball and soccer.

“It is a great honor to receive this award,” Cowan said. “Since this is my last season of soccer, I hope to help my younger teammates grow in the sport and hopefully make it far in the state playoffs.”

Cowan has been taking dual enrollment classes at AHS to go towards his degree in aviation mechanics. After graduation, Cowan said he is going to keep on working towards his degree.   

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.

    The objectives of the program are:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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/her ability both academically and athletically or who may have overcome some obstacle or hardship

to achieve success.

     Ninety-six scholarships are awarded annually to deserving high school seniors from schools that are members of the Alabama High School Athletic Association. The program has grown from an $8,000 award program to the present over $800,000.