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Watauga High School Student Named Recipient of Prestigious Elizabeth McRae Scholarship

Lubkemann

Two incoming fall 2017 students, Thomas Clement of Columbia, South Carolina, and Amanda Lubkemann, of Boone, North Carolina, were named beneficiaries of the celebrated, full-tuition Elizabeth McRae Scholarship.

The recipients who were ultimately chosen as the winners initially competed on February 18 as part of the college’s annual Scholars Day. Hosted by the Lees-McRae Honors Program, the day invites qualified Honors Program students to participate in essay and interview competitions. 

More than 140 students qualified for the prominent Lees-McRae College Honors Program, having attained a 3.75 high school GPA and SAT score over 1150 (ACT score over 25).

Clement, an upcoming graduate of Sandhills High School, intends to study biology during his time at Lees-McRae.

He said his decision to come to Lees-McRae largely hinged on the school’s fundamental belief in experiential learning as well as its outdoor opportunities.

“I have been skiing in the area before, it is such a beautiful area…I absolutely love it,” Clement said. “I currently attend a small high school with hands-on learning and I have always thought that was a good thing to get in college.”

Lubkemann is completing her final months at Watauga High School. Similar to Clement, Lubkemann has a love for the outdoors.

“Whether it is hiking, biking, skiing or whatever I choose to take on that day, I love to be outdoors and be active,” she said.

During her time at Watauga High School, Lubkemann danced on the school’s varsity dance team, The Pacers. “I love to dance ballet, jazz, tap, modern, hip-hop, lyrical–you name it!”

Lubkemann said she chose Lees-McRae also to conquer her dream of playing collegiate soccer—a dream that will be realized having been recruited for the team by women’s soccer head coach Kiko Magaña.

“I want to be Amanda Lubkemann, the girl who lights up the room, the one who gives more than she takes, or the person who never gives up and backs down from a challenge. I believe that Lees-McRae will push me in the classroom, on the field, emotionally and also spiritually. I want to leave Lees-McRae knowing that I can conquer whatever I want to do and be whoever I want to be,” Lubkemann said.

The Elizabeth McRae Scholarship was named after Elizabeth A. McRae, one of the two namesakes of the college. McRae was a summer school teacher at Lees-McRae in 1900 when it was an all-female school led by Lees-McRae founder, Rev. Edgar Tufts.

Lees-McRae College awards more than $14 million annually in institutional scholarships and grants and helps facilitate more than $27 million in financial aid. For more information on scholarship opportunities at Lees-McRae, visit lmc.edu/typesofaid or contact the Office of Financial Aid at 828.898.8740.