Robert C. Byrd High's Sophie Banko Named AARP WV/MetroNews Scholar Athlete of the Week

Sophie Banko of Robert C. Byrd High School has been selected as the AARP West Virginia/MetroNews Scholar Athlete of the Week for the week of September 10.

Joe McNemar

A junior, Sophie is a 4.0 g.p.a. AP Honors student. She is a member of Student Council, a Promise Scholarship qualifier, and serves as an Eagle Mentor. Sophie is the daughter of Andrew and Jennifer Banko of Clarksburg.

Sophie is a two-time State Champion member of the Eagles’ cheerleading squad, which has earned five consecutive WVSSAC State Cheerleading titles. She is a starting guard for the Eagles’ basketball team last season, earning the position after being sidelined with a serious knee injury as a freshman.

On a community level, Sophie is actively involved in volunteer and service activities in the Harrison County area. She has served as a volunteer with Clarksburg Mission and the Nutter Fort PTO. Sophie has taken an active role in fundraising efforts for WVU Children’s Hospital, and has volunteered with RCB’s Volley For The Cure fundraising efforts to support cancer research.

Sophie is still considering her college options, and hopes to continue her athletic career on the collegiate level. She is interested in pursuing a degree in journalism or the legal field.

During the 2017 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