Independence High School's Kyle Saunders Named AARP WV/MetroNews Scholar Athlete of the Week

Kyle Saunders of Independence High School has been selected as the AARP West Virginia/MetroNews Scholar Athlete of the Week for the week of October 9.

A junior, Kyle is a 4.0 g.p.a. student. He is the president of his junior class, and his school activities include Student Council, Beta Club, Yearbook Staff, Prom Committee and Inspire West Virginia. He is the son of Dave and Lisa Saunders of Beckley.

Kyle is the number two seeded player on the Independence High golf team. This season, he helped lead the Patriots to a third place finish in the WVSSAC Regional Tournament at Grandview, finishing behind eventual Class AA State Champion Wyoming East and Westside. As a sophomore, he was a solid contributor for Coach Chad Perkins’ Patriot basketball team, and is a projected starter this upcoming season.

On a community level, Kyle is actively involved in volunteer and service activities in the Raleigh County area. He has served as a volunteer on several community service projects with Independence High Student Council and Beta Club, including the collection of food donations for the local Fishes and Loaves Food Bank.

As a leader with Inspire West Virginia, state affiliate of the national non-profit, non-partisan Project High Hopes Foundation, he has been responsible for organizing non-partisan voter registration efforts at his school.

Following graduation, Kyle plans to attend college and pursue a degree in computer science. He hopes to attend law school following the completion of his undergraduate degree.

During the 2016 Fall Sports season, one high school student athlete will be selected each week as the AARP West Virginia Scholar Athlete of the Week and recognized on the popular West Virginia MetroNews High School GameNight program, which airs 9:30 p.m. – midnight each Friday night on nearly 40 radio stations across the Mountain State.

West Virginia student athletes in Grades 11 and 12 with a minimum 3.0 grade point average are eligible for the award. Nominees should excel in one or more athletic program, and be active within their community through service and community involvement. Nomination forms may be completed online at http://wvmetronews.com/scholar-athlete-of-the-week.

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AARP WV Media Contact: Tom Hunter, 304.340.4605,  tphunter@aarp.org