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Gabriel ‘Gabe’ Barber of East Bladen High School has been named the 2020 male recipient of the 15th annual Clary Medal awarded by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association. This award recognizes the top male and female academic student-athlete in the state

The Clary Medal is made possible through the generosity of the Eddie and Jo Allison Smith Family Foundation through the NCHSAA Endowment. It annually recognizes an outstanding male and female student-athlete, who will each receive a $2,000 scholarship to further his or her education at the college level.

Barber has been an excellent student-athlete at East Bladen, competing in varsity football, baseball, and soccer. He served as captain of the soccer and also earned all-conference honors. Barber is a three-time All-Conference selection earning Conference Player of the Year as a Senior. Barber is also a two-time North Carolina Soccer Coaches Association All-Region selection and earned NCSCA All-State Honors as a Senior. In addition, Barber was selected to represent East Bladen High School in the North Carolina Coaches Association East vs West All-Star game.

Gabe has excelled academically, ranked amongst the top of his class, and is also active in several extra-curricular activities. He participates in the Student Government Association, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Beta Club, and the National Honor Society.

The Clary Medal is in memory of Wilburn Columbus Clary, a member of the NCHSAA Hall of Fame, who was an outstanding coach and game official. He served as the executive secretary of the old Western North Carolina High School Activities Association from 1948 through 1977, when its schools joined the NCHSAA. Clary was also the first collegiate football official to be inducted into the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame.

Clary award winners are exemplary citizens and student-athletes, and the Clary Medal is one of the top awards the NCHSAA can present to a student.