By Allen Hamrick
Charles Spurgeon once said, “The greatest works are done by the ones, the hundreds do not often do much, the companies never. It is the unit, the single individual, that is the power and the might. Individual effort is after all a grand thing”.
Ian Smith, a senior at Clay County High School, was chosen to be the recipient of the 2016-2017 WVSSAC High School Male Community Service Scholar Student of the Year for the state of West Virginia.
Smith is the son of B.J. Smith and Jamela Krajeski. He received this award at the high school football championship games held in Wheeling. This award is based on grade point average, attendance, sports participation, school citizenship, and individual academic achievement, and it is obvious why they chose Smith.
Throughout his personal life and as a student, Smith has taken each one of these precepts to a new level. He lives by the rule that it isn’t what a man gets, it is what a man is, and he is defined by that action. He is, in all cases, the product of hard work.
What sets Smith apart is his strong will and a purpose that has settled itself with an invincible determination to accomplish anything. This separates him from what would be perceived as a good person and a great person, yet his humbleness toward these accolades separates him that much more. As time passes, he knows that it is his character that will be his greatest asset and bargaining chip. One simply can’t dream into existence character, it isn’t handed down, and it cannot be bought; it has to be hammered and forged out by the individual and Smith has done just that.
This award is well deserved and comes with a $1,000 scholarship provided by American Electric Power, Ohio County Commission, Super Six football committee, and West Liberty University.
Once again, congratulations Smith for being selected as the West Virginia High School Male Community Service Scholar Student of the Year. You will carry the torch for all those that follow.