West Virginia University is closer to naming its Mr. and Ms. Mountaineer, as the finalists for the prestigious honor have been announced.

The award recognizes students’ exemplary academic achievement and extracurricular involvement. All applicants must be eligible for graduation by May 2011 to be considered.

Mr. and Ms. Mountaineer is part of Mountaineer Week, which takes place Oct. 28 through Nov. 6.

After an interview in front of the Mr. and Ms. Mountaineer voting committee, one male and female finalist will be named Mr. and Ms. Mountaineer at the Nov. 5 WVU football game vs. Louisville at Milan Puskar Stadium.

In the running for 2011 Mr. Mountaineer are: James Bailey of South Charleston, Jason Bailey of Ripley, Ryan Butler of Clarksburg, Benjamin Dotson of Morgantown and Chris Smith of St. Albans.

In the running for 2011 Ms. Mountaineer are: Adrienne Duckworth of Grafton, Katie McDonald of Greensburg, Pa., Anna Phoenix of Cross Lanes, Katlin Stinespring of Hurricane and Rachel Viglianco of St. Albans.

A brief bio of each finalist follows:

Mr. Mountaineer

James Bailey, a public relations major and student in the Law School, is a South Charleston native and is sponsored by Mountain Honorary. In his WVU career, Bailey has been the executive director of the Mountaineer Maniacs and a member of Student Government Association, Student Director of Students Helping Other People and Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. He is the co-founder of the West Virginia Children’s Literacy Initiative. He is the son of Jim and Roxanne Bailey.

Jason Bailey, a double major in international studies and political science, is a Ripley native and is sponsored by SGA. Bailey is the president of SGA and the student representative on the University’s Board of Governors. He is the founder and chair of the Student Organizations Presidents’ Advisory Council. Bailey was a brass rank leader of the Mountaineer Marching Band among other activities and positions during his time at WVU. He is the son of Barbara LeGue and Chuck Bailey.

Ryan Butler, a five-year Masters student in secondary math education, is a Clarksburg native and is sponsored by WVU Collegiate 4-H Club. He is a resident assistant at Honors Hall, the treasurer and webmaster of the WVU Collegiate 4-H Club, and a member of the Circle K International organization and the Council of Math Educators. In addition, he was a member of the President’s Forum on Innovation and Economic Competitiveness. He is the son of Paul and Patty Butler.

Benjamin Dotson, a Masters student in Geology, is a Morgantown native and is sponsored by the WVU Geology Club. Morgantown. He has been the primary planner for the WVU Homecoming Parade over the last three years and served as the co-chair of Mountaineer Week in 2008. In addition, Dotson earned the Punzurik Award for Marketing in 2009 among other activities and awards. He is the son of Susan and Lyn Dotson.

Chris Smith, a double major in philosophy and women’s studies, is a St. Albans native and is sponsored by the Circle K International organization. He is the president and re-charterer of the WVU Chapter of Circle K International, the president and founder of the Mountaineer Association for Public Speaking in the Honors College and the programming coordinator for the WVU Chapter of Mortarboard. He is the son of Dale and Linda Smith.

Ms. Mountaineer

Adrienne Duckworth, a nursing major, is a Grafton native and is sponsored by the Leadership Studies Student Association. She is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honorary and a Milan Puskar Leadership Scholar. Duckworth is on the West Virginia Campus Compact Student Advisory Board and is the senior class representative for the WVU Student Nurses Association. She is the daughter of Robert and Vicki Duckworth.

Katie McDonald, a music education major, is a Greensburg, Pa. native and is sponsored by the WVU Collegiate 4-H. She is the current president of the WVU Collegiate 4-H Club and the president of the Northeast Region of Collegiate 4-H. In addition, McDonald is a four-year member of the WVU University Choir and current musical director of the WVU Women’s Vocal Jazz Ensemble. She is the daughter of Debbie and Grant McDonald.

Anna Phoenix, an interior design major, is a Cross Lanes native and is sponsored by the WVU Division of Design and Merchandising, where she is a graduate assistant. She is a graduate advisor to the student chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers. She has been a University 101 instructor and a resident assistant in the International House, among other activities. She is the daughter of Paul and Shirlett Phoenix.

Katlin Stinespring, a public relations major, is a Hurricane native and is sponsored by the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Stinespring is the assistant clarinet section leader and woodwind rank leader of the Mountaineer Marching Band and the vice president of public relations and membership of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars among other activities at WVU. She is the daughter of Tim and Pam Stinespring.

Rachel Viglianco, a five-year Masters student in secondary English education, is a St. Albans native and is sponsored by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Viglianco is a former member of the WVU rowing team and earned the Big East Conference Scholar-Athlete Sport Excellence Award and named to the Capitol One All-District Academic 1st team. She is a student leader in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She is the daughter Steve and Kerry Viglianco.

For more information on Mr. and Ms. Mountaineer and Mountaineer Week, visit http://mountaineerweek.wvu.edu/.

-WVU-

td/10/14/11

CONTACT: Sonja Wilson, Mountainlair
304-293-2702, Sonja.Wilson@mail.wvu.edu

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