Lorelei Elberson Recieves The Clary Medal
The Clary Medal is made possible through the generosity of the Eddie and Jo Allison Smith Family Foundation. The
Clary Medal is presented in honor of Wilburn Clary’s athletic career which included coaching, officiating and athletic
administration. He coached multiple sports for almost 30 years, was an outstanding official at the high school and collegiate
levels and served as the executive secretary of the Western North Carolina High School Activities Association from 1949 through
1977 until it merged with the NCHSAA. He was the first collegiate football official to be inducted into the National Football
Foundation and College Hall of Fame.
The Clary Medal annually recognizes an outstanding
high school male and female athlete, based on the individual’s excellence in athletic participation, extra-curricular
activities and community service. Each recipient receives a $3,000 scholarship to further his or her educational endeavors.
The 2023-24 winners are Lorelei Elberson from South Davidson High School and John Howard from Ragsdale High
School.
Lorelei Elberson was named to the All-Conference team in both softball and volleyball
in her career at South Davidson. She was a captain of the softball team in her junior and senior years and on the volleyball
team, was voted the Best Defensive Player as she ranked in the top five in the 1A West in digs.
She is a two-time winner of the Rhonda Shaw Community Service Award, winner of the Miss Asheville Scholarship Pageant Community
Service Award, Miss Gastonia’s Outstanding Teen and Southeast Threshers Queen. She was the Chief Junior Marshall.
In addition to her participation with the Impact Club, Student Government, Pep Club, FCA and the National Honors
Society, she has accumulated 1,787.5 hours or community service and helped raised $21,700 for causes including cancer research,
Farmer Elementary Spring Fling, Special Olympics and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
She plans to study nuclear medicine or genetics to help people like her father, who had open heart surgery and is partially
paralyzed.
“Lorelei is both a leader in the classroom and on the field, but also
in the community,” said Ryan Oaks, her softball coach. “She has participated in many volunteer activities throughout
her high school career. She is passionate about her community and the people in it. Overall, Lorelei is an exceptional student-athlete.
I have enjoyed working with her as she has shown dedication, pride, and commitment to her team, peers, school, and community.”
