President Mike Herron (right) chats with scholarship winner Matt Hale. Pictured with Matt are his mother, Phyllis Hale (center), and Morgan Warner.

HHS soccer co-captain, "undefeated and untied"

Matthew Hale received a Putnam Rotary scholarship today on his way to study political science at West Virginia Wesleyan.

A 2010 graduate of Hurricane High, Matt was co-captian of the school soccer team.

Rotarian Don Broyles saw the Hurricane team whip South Charleston. "They kicked our butts," said Broyles whose son plays for South Charleston, "but they were so good that we didn't mind losing!"

Undefeated and untied, the Hurricane team last season was top-ranked in the state and 11th in the National Soccer Coaches poll.

Hale scored high marks in the classroom as well. Frances Tolley taught Matt in advanced-placement chemistry. Matt "is able to reason through complex laboratory set-ups and understand relationships in more than an academic setting.

"AP chemistry students come to school an hour (early) to learn colege-level chemistry," says Tolley

Counselor Cheryl Graham described Matt as a diligent and gifted student who "challenged himself by taking four advanced-placement courses and numerous honors courses."

Graham describes Hale as a humble person who can accept constructive criticism and "has the desire to persevere if he does not succeed at his first attempt."

In an essay on the Rotary "four-way test," Matt wrote that "God shares his love through other people."

Putnam's Rotary scholar will continue to play soccer at Buckhannon. After Wesleyan, he wants to study law at West Virginia University.

Matt is the son of Phyllis Hale of Hurricane. He has three siblings, including a twin brother. His sister, Roseanna Hale, won a Rotary scholarship two years ago.