Paul Garton and Brittany Fink have been announced as West Virginia University’s 2013 Mr. and Ms. Mountaineer.
Garton and Fink were crowned during halftime of the WVU-Texas football game on Saturday (Nov. 9) at Milan Puskar Stadium. The awards are given each year as part of WVU’s Mountaineer Week festivities.
Garton is a senior philosophy and international studies double major from Jane Lew, W.Va. He was sponsored by the WVU Collegiate 4-H Club.
Along with being a member of Collegiate 4-H, he is a part of the Pride of West Virginia, the Mountaineer Marching Band, and the WVU Pep Band. As a Foundation Scholar, Garton has also been named to the Smith-Lever Centennial Committee.
“Winning Mr. Mountaineer is a huge honor and an opportunity to represent my state and University, which I love so much,” Garton said. “These are responsibilities I take very seriously.”
Fink is a doctoral law student from Charleston, W.Va. Fink is sponsored by the Office of Student Life.
She is the Associate Editor and Alumni and Executive Assistant to the West Virginia Law Review. In addition, she’s a member of the Varsity Track Team, a Foundation Scholar and a member of the Student Conduct Board.
“It wasn’t until I started filling out my application for Miss Mountaineer that it dawned on me that I’m in my eighth and final year as a student at WVU,” Fink said. “This realization was a bitter-sweet moment, however earning the title of Miss Mountaineer is an honor and a great transition from student to alumni.”
As Mr. and Ms. Mountaineer, Garton and Gink will host a blood drive for the American Red Cross. They help host and participate in a number of other University activities throughout the year, as well.
Other Mr. Mountaineer finalists were: Josh Harrison, Morgantown; John Higgins, Philippi; Alec James, New Manchester; Steve Staffileno, Commerce Township, Mich.; and Joey West, Wheeling.
Other Ms. Mountaineer finalists were: Sharrell Barnes, Williamson; Jenna Hardy, Uniontown, Pa.; Lakyn Hose from Martinsburg; Rachel James, Crawford; and Daryn Vucelik, Glen Dale.
In addition to the Mr. and Ms. Mountaineer presentation, WVU’s Most Loyals were honored, as well. The 2013 honorees are: Don Hoylman, Most Loyal West Virginian; Jack Rossi, Most Loyal Alumni Mountaineer; Judie Charlton, Most Loyal Faculty Mountaineer; and Kathy Clingerman, Most Loyal Staff Mountaineer.
The Most Loyal West Virginian and Alumni Mountaineer awards have been presented since 1974, while the Most Loyal Faculty and Staff Mountaineer award was created in 1994 and split into two separate awards in 2001. The award recipients are selected by a joint committee representing the WVU Foundation, WVU Alumni Association and the Mountaineer Week organizing committee.
Mountaineer Week is an annual celebration of West Virginia’s rich Appalachian heritage and traditions. The activities serve to remind and educate WVU students about the culture that has made West Virginia what it is today. This fall, the festival commemorated its 66th year.
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td/11/09/13
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