RHS senior chosen as Bryant-Jordan Region 8 Scholar winner

Russellville High School senior student-athlete Avery Watts was recently chosen as the 2024 Bryant-Jordan Region 8 Scholar winner.

Watts first received the honor of being the Bryant-Jordan scholar representing RHS and then was named scholar for AHSAA Class 5A, Area 15, and was later announced as the winner for Class 5A, Region 8. The program gives scholarships for both the Scholar-Athlete Award and the Achievement Award.

“It’s an honor,” Watts said about getting to represent Russellville High School in addition to the area and region. “I didn’t expect to make it this far because there’s so many amazing student-athletes in the area. I’m excited to be able to go.”

The Bryant-Jordan Student-Athlete Scholarship Program was named after Paul “Bear” Bryant and Ralph “Shug” Jordan and shares a partnership with the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and the Alabama High School Athletic Association.

According to the program’s website, “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.”

Watts has been a leader on the varsity basketball and volleyball teams at RHS for multiple seasons and will be on the track team this spring.

“Avery is a player that I’ve seen grow from seventh grade to 12th grade,” Russellville girls’ basketball head coach Jermaine Groce said. “I’m super proud of her and everything that she’s accomplished academically and athletically, and I think she’s the perfect choice for a candidate to go down there to represent our region and our high school.”

The 39th annual awards ceremony is scheduled for April 15 at the Sheraton Hotel ballroom in Birmingham. During the ceremony, overall winners will be named for the Scholar-Athlete and Achievement Awards.