SYLACAUGA, Ala. – Sylacauga High School’s Carleigh Mae Rivers has been named a winner of the highly prestigious Bryant-Jordan Student-Athlete Scholarship. Rivers joins an elite group, becoming the 11th recipient from Sylacauga High School, with the most recent winner being honored in 2019.
“I am deeply grateful to receive the Bryant-Jordan Scholarship as the regional winner. Being the first from my school since 2019 is an honor. I am thankful for the people God has placed in my life who have helped me reach this milestone — my parents Gary and Jaclyn Rivers, my brother Tripp, Coach Cindy Cleveland, our Athletic Director Mr. Chad Wilkinson, and our Superintendent, Dr. Michele Eller. Thank you all for your support,” Carleigh Mae said.
The Bryant-Jordan Student-Athlete Scholarship Program, established by the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in partnership with the AHSAA, celebrates outstanding high school seniors who exemplify success in both academics and athletics through hard work, determination, and commitment. Built on the belief that education and athletics can motivate young people to excel, the program has awarded over $11 million in scholarships to 3,326 student-athletes across Alabama since 1986.
Named in honor of two Alabama sports legends — Paul “Bear” Bryant and Ralph “Shug” Jordan — the program recognizes student-athletes from 52 regions across the state. In 1989, the Achievement Award was introduced to specifically honor students who have overcome major obstacles to succeed academically and athletically, bringing a critical dimension to the program’s mission.
Carleigh Mae Rivers follows in the footsteps of previous Sylacauga winners, including Zack Elliff (2019), Ranae Burton (2010), Matthew Claud McGrady (2008), David F. Kelso (2004), Patrick L. Williams (2003), Daniel Loren Peterson (2002), Keith H. Pugh Jr. (2001), Clark Alexander Conley (2000), John Benjamin Crew (1999), Dima Patcha (1995), Tiki Michelle Merritt (1993), and James Randolph Gillum (1988).
