The board of directors for the Stuart and Margaret L. Forbes Foundation, Inc., is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2017 Margaret L. Forbes Distinguished Scholar Award. This $12,000 renewable scholarship is awarded to a Polk County High School student who demonstrates outstanding leadership, high academic achievement, a strong dedication to community service and  participation in school clubs and extracurricular activities. The scholarship is awarded by the Stuart and Margaret L. Forbes Foundation and is administered by the Polk County Community Foundation.

Rhian Alley is an honor student at Polk County High. She is vice president of the PCHS Key Club and is a member of the National Honor Society. Rhian is a member of the Ski and Snowboard Team, Vocal Impressions Choral Group, FFA and varsity Science Olympiad. Her hobbies include reading, hiking and staying active.

Rhian has demonstrated outstanding leadership both in academics and in extra-curricular activities.  She has been a member of the soccer team for four years.  She is a National Merit Scholar and she attended the Duke Tip Summer Studies Program. Rhian is active with the Tryon Little Theater and has been a member of several productions as either cast or crew. She works at Sidestreet Pizza and Polk County Recreation. Rhian  plans to attend Brown University in the fall where she will study cognitive science or international relations. Rhian is the daughter of Erin and George Alley of Columbus, N.C.

– article submitted by Susan S. McHugh