Swainsboro High School senior Melanie Purcell was recently named a 2021 school winner for the High School Heisman Scholarship. This program, created in 1994, honors the nation’s most accomplished, community-minded high school senior athletes. Purcell was nominated by Monica Pace, eleventh and twelfth grades counselor, based on her athletic achievements, academics and honors and school and community involvement. As a school winner, she will have the chance to become a state winner, national finalist or national winner.
Pace said, “We are so proud of Melanie for being named a Heisman High School Winner. She is a true example of what it means to be dedicated and determined to succeed in all she does.”
In addition to her educational excellence, Purcell has been a four-year member of the football and competition cheer squads at SHS. Her coach, Luci McNeely, says Melanie is a perfect representative for the sport and the school.
“At the end of her sophomore year, she suffered a season ending injury that required surgery. There were no guarantees that she would ever be able to return to the sport. However, she was determined and pushed herself to return earlier than expected.” She continues, “She demonstrates the grit and grind mentality that we instill in our athletes.”
