Drienna Wallace, a senior at Vincent High School, has received the 2013 Berea College Pinnacle Scholar Award of Excellence for her accomplishments in the field of Science.  The Pinnacle Scholars Award program recognizes outstanding high school seniors for their work in the fields of science, music, or service.  Students are nominated by a local teacher or guidance counselor, and Berea College faculty and staff then select the top students in each category to receive the award.

 Berea College created the Pinnacle Scholars Award to recognize students in the region who show a strong potential to exert a positive influence on the future.  The program helps the college fulfill its mission of serving the region through a focus on learning, labor, and service.  Berea College guarantees that no student pays tuition and admits only academically promising students, primarily from Appalachia, who have limited economic resources.

 Determining this year’s winners was particularly challenging due to the number and caliber of nominees.  Drienna was chosen out of more than 400 nominees and was honored at a formal awards ceremony earlier this month.  For more information about Berea College and its programs please see www.berea.edu .