Martinsburg High School's Eric Mitchell, Jr. Named AARP WV/MetroNews Scholar Athlete of the Week

Eric Mitchell, Jr. of Martinsburg High School has been selected as the AARP West Virginia/MetroNews Scholar Athlete of the Week for the week of November 9.

A senior, Eric is a 4.1 g.p.a. AP Honors student. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society. He is the son of Eric and Ywatta Mitchell of Martinsburg.

A four-year member of Coach Dave Walker’s Martinsburg Bulldog football program, Eric is a starting defensive back and wide receiver. He has been a member of three WVSSAC Class AAA State Championship teams ( 2011, 2012, 2013), earning First Team All-Area and Second Team All-Eastern Panhandle Athletic Conference honors as a junior. A sprinter for Coach Britt Sherman’s Martinsburg Bulldog track team, Eric was a dual qualifier for the 2014 WVSSAC Class AAA State Track Championships – earning top-five team and individual finishes in the 4x100 relay and 100 meters, respectively.

On a community level, Eric is actively engaged in volunteer and service activities in Berkeley County through various community groups. He has served as a volunteer with Rotary’s Interact public service program, the United Way Day of Caring, and as a peer mentor and volunteer coach with a Martinsburg-area youth track and field program.

Following his graduation this year, Eric hopes to continue his football career on the collegiate level. He plans to pursue an Engineering degree.

During the 2014 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 submitted online at http://wvmetronews.com/scholar-athlete-of-the-week. The deadline for 2014 nominations is November 14.

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