The NCHSAA Foundation and the North Carolina Athletic Directors Association (NCADA) proudly recognize four outstanding student-athletes as the 2024-2025 Jerry McGee Endowed Scholarship recipients.
This prestigious award honors students who exemplify leadership, academic excellence, athletic achievement, and community service – core values championed by long-time NCHSAA leader, Jerry McGee. Recipients will receive their scholarship award at the AD’s Breakfast during the 2025 Coaching Clinic.
Josiah Heindl – North Iredell High School
A standout student-athlete at North Iredell High School, Josiah Heindl has excelled both on the field and in the classroom. With a 4.42 GPA and ranking in the top 10% of his class, Josiah has been recognized as an A Honor Roll student, Beta Club member, and Scholar-Athlete across multiple sports. He served as team captain for both the football and baseball teams and was active in leadership roles through Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Crosby Scholars. Josiah plans to attend Methodist University in the fall and pursue his academic and athletic dreams!
Arizona Blankenship – Swain County High School
Arizona Blankenship, a senior at Swain County High School, ranks first in her class and is a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, and serves as senior class president. A standout in cross country and track, Arizona is a 6-time NCHSAA state champion and holds the 1A state record in the 1600m. She has also served as captain of both her cross country and track teams, while remaining heavily involved in her community and church. Arizona will attend Central Arkansas!
Aniya Edwards – Elkin High School
Aniya Edwards, a senior at Elkin High School, is a scholar-athlete ranked third in her class with a 4.645 GPA. She’s a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, and Phi Theta Kappa, and is a dominant force in track and field. Most recently, Aniya earned MVP honors at the 2024 NCHSAA 1A Outdoor State Championship, winning gold in the 100m, 200m, and 400m. Beyond athletics, she leads in her church youth ministry, volunteers locally, and holds a part-time job. Aniya will attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the fall.
Jacob Gainey – Southwestern Randolph High School
Jacob Gainey, a senior at Southwestern Randolph High School, embodies servant leadership. Ranked 4th in his class with a 4.611 GPA, Jacob is student body president, a member of Beta Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and has lettered in both basketball and baseball. Despite battling multiple knee injuries during his high school athletic career, he remained a team leader and role model for his peers. Jacob has been deeply involved in service, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, the Miracle League, and leading mission trips with his church. He will attend North Carolina State University in the fall, where he plans to pursue a degree in engineering.
The Clary Medal is made possible through the generosity of the Eddie and Jo Allison Smith Family Foundation and annually recognizes an outstanding male and female varsity student-athlete participating in varsity competition in at least two NCHSAA-sanctioned teams. The award is based on each individual’s excellence in athletic participation, extra-curricular activities, and community service, exhibiting a desire to excel in all areas of life – athletics, education, sportsmanship, teamwork, leadership, honesty, and integrity. The Wilburn Clary Medal was first awarded in 2006 and is dedicated to Wilburn Clary. Clary’s athletic career involved coaching, officiating, and administration. He coached several sports at the Methodist Children’s Home for almost 30 years, was an outstanding high school and collegiate official, and served as the executive secretary of the Western North Carolina High School Activities Association from 1949 until 1977 when the organization merged with the NCHSAA.
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