Magnolia High School's Cedar Sands Named AARP WV/MetroNews Scholar Athlete of the Week

Cedar Sands of Magnolia High School has been selected as the AARP West Virginia/MetroNews Scholar Athlete of the Week for the week of October 11.

A senior, Cedar is a 4.08 g.p.a. AP Honors student. She is a member of National Honor Society, National Science Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta math honor society, and the National Art Honor Society, serving as chapter vice president. She is ranked among the Top Ten percent of her class and has earned All-Ohio Valley Athletic Conference (OVAC) All-Academic honors. She is an active member of Drug Free Clubs of America, and a 2015 West Virginia recipient of its Drug Prevention and Awareness Scholarship Award. Cedar is the daughter of Terry and Donna Sands of New Martinsville.

Cedar is a three-year member of the Blue Eagles girls soccer team, earning OVAC Class A/AA First Team All-Conference honors in 2014. She is also a three-time State Meet qualifier in the 4 x 102.5m Shuttle Relay with the Magnolia girls track program, helping the Blue Eagles capture a Top Five team finish at the 2015 WVSSAC Class A State Girls Track Championships.

In addition to being a two-sport athlete, Cedar is a member of the Blue Eagle Marching Band, performing with the band at each football game and throughout its competition season. As a member of the Magnolia Jazz and Concert Bands, she has earned All-County Band honors and was selected to participate in the Marshall University Honor Band.

On a community level, Cedar is actively engaged in volunteer and service activities in Wetzel County. She is a member of the Wetzel County Youth Advisory Council, which assists in efforts to raise awareness on substance abuse issues. She has served as a volunteer with Relay for Life and local Daughter of American Revolution events in her community.

Following graduation, Cedar plans to continue her education at Fairmont State University.

During the 2015 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