Portageville student essay earns recognition

Drew Irby

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. - An essay by a Portageville High School student has earned him recognition.

Andrew “Drew” Thomas Irby is the recipient of the DAR Good Citizen Award from Portageville High School.

Currently the Portageville High School Student Council president, Irby is also Beta Club president and captain of the basketball team. In addition, he is a member of the PHS baseball team and the Honor Society.

Following graduation from high School, Irby plans to attend college studying management, finance and statistics. Also he hopes to play college basketball.

In his essay, Irby expressed his ideas on the situations America has faced in 2020.

“Many may ask how this could be possible given the situation that has become our reality. To that I say, it’s the good people found all over the country and the way they carry themselves and impact others,” Irby wrote. “These people realize the greatness of our country and appreciate what it has done for them and what it will do for future generations.”

He continued, “The good citizens of America look past race, religion and differing political views in their efforts to push the nation to new heights. Their leadership is like the lighthouse that guides ships in the night. They lead with their actions as well as their voices.”