Browning’s Brittney Wagner Named a UM Presidential Leadership Scholar

MISSOULA – The Davidson Honors College at the University of Montana recently announced recipients of the 2022 Presidential Leadership Scholarship, the University’s most prestigious academic recognition for incoming students.

The 24 Presidential Leadership Scholars, including Browning's Brittney Wagner, were chosen from the DHC’s largest-ever cohort of applicants from across the country and represent the pinnacle of academic excellence and service to the community. Presidential Leadership Scholars will enroll in UM’s Davidson Honors College in addition to their chosen undergraduate disciplines. At UM they will contribute to academic innovation, garner personal and professional development opportunities and enhance their leadership skills.

“These scholars chose to attend the University of Montana over other institutions because of our academic rigor and the unique honors community we provide at the Davidson Honors College,” said Tim Nichols, DHC dean. “We are thrilled to welcome these future leaders to Missoula, where they will thrive academically, promote public service and strengthen UM’s vibrant campus community.”

The Presidential Leadership Scholarship is a four-year scholarship for incoming UM students. Students’ applications and interviews are reviewed by a committee of honors faculty and campus partners. Scholarship recipients are recognized for their meritorious academic achievements, demonstrated leadership skills and professional potential.

“This fall’s diverse and dynamic class of Presidential Leadership Scholars includes future scientists and physicians, journalists, lawyers, educators, business leaders and performing artists,” Nichols said. “They are valedictorians and varsity athletes, student council officers and all-state musicians. They are advocates for diversity, the environment and for social justice. They already have and will continue to make a difference in their communities.”

The 24 Presidential Leadership Scholars will enroll at UM in the fall and represent 12 states, including 11 scholars from Montana.

Brittney Wagner (Blackfeet name: Mountain Snow Woman) is from Browning and graduated at the top of her high school class. She and her family have been active with the Blackfeet Tribe and at UM. Wagner golfed at the state tournament three times and was involved in 4-H, the Niipoomakiis cultural society, Diversity Leadership Group and Girl Scouts as a robotics mentor. She is interested in exploring journalism, sports journalism, criminology, athletic training and sports medicine. Her culture is very important to her, and Wagner tries her hardest to represent her tribe, family and town in the best way possible.

The other 2022 Presidential Scholars from Montana are:

Zoe Belinda of Red Lodge is interested in environmental studies. She is graduating as valedictorian, was a varsity starter in volleyball and won the state championship in speech and drama. Belinda was student council president for her district and was awarded second place at state in Job Interview for SkillsUSA. She describes herself as a country girl who is goal-orientated, driven and ready to succeed at UM.

Riley Crews of Lolo is graduating at the top of her class at Sentinel High School. She is interested in studying elementary education and hopes to become a teacher, for which she is already getting practice as a substitute teacher in Lolo. Crews was National Honor Society secretary and varsity captain of her school’s cross-country team. She is a third-generation UM student and is excited to be a part of building the student environment at UM. Her interest in outdoor activities such as hiking, running and skiing made Missoula an ideal place to attend college.

Brady Drummond of Belt plans to major in management information systems and intends to pursue a consulting career after her undergraduate studies. She graduated with honors, advanced placement and dual-enrollment credits. Beyond her love for business, she has a passion for writing and reading poetry, animals and community service and involvement. Drummon is the 2021 National Poetry Ourselves Champion (a competition for original poetry) and the 2021 Montana Poetry Out Loud State Champion (a poetry recitation competition). She has been involved in rodeo and 4-H for 10 years, showing lambs, swine, steers and horses. She was also a DECA member and National Honor Society member.

Parker Friday is from Billings. She participated in student government, multiple sports and various choirs at Billings Senior High School. Parker was high school student body president, a member of Senior’s Varsity Singers and two auditioned ensembles and a member of the National Honor Society. Friday values new opportunities to learn and grow and strives to challenge herself academically. Outside of school, she loves spending time with her parents and dog, watching movies and television series and paddleboarding on Montana's beautiful lakes.

Lydia Garrick of Missoula is graduating at the top of her class at Sentinel High School and is interested in becoming a pharmacist. Garrick was a Health Occupations Students of America officer, National Honor Society treasurer, Montana Youth Symphony first chair cellist and All-State Orchestra first chair. Garrick also worked in a UM microbiology lab and presented her own research at the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium and State Science Fair. She enjoys playing cello, hiking with friends and taekwondo. Her progression from white belt to third-degree black belt has taught her perseverance and the value of dedication and hard work.

Hannah Geiger from Kalispell is a 4.0 international baccalaureate student interested in studying business administration. Her childhood was spent outside exploring nature through camping, hiking and kayaking, among other activities. Her intrinsic curiosity led her to delve into literature and art. Geiger said she always had her nose in a book and probably owned every National Geographic “Weird-But-True” edition to exist, but was especially drawn to fantasy and history. She volunteered at the Conrad Mansion Museum for four years, giving tours, cleaning and helping with special events, as well as at the Kalico Art Center, where she taught a free class every week for anyone to experiment with different mediums. She participated in chamber orchestra, speech and debate, She-Ra mentoring theater and the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards.

Ruby Jennings of Great Falls grew up raising animals, including horses, cows, sheep and pigs in 4-H and the National FFA Organization. She plays both tennis and violin. In school, Jennings was involved in student government and leadership. She enjoys writing and outdoor recreation such as hiking, biking and skiing. Jennings hopes to study environmental sciences and have a career in environmental sustainability.

Faith Marshall of Missoula is interested in becoming a physician. At Sentinel High School, she was the student body president, varsity soccer captain and an active member in other Sentinel athletics and activities. Marshall is passionate about travel and looks forward to studying abroad during her college experience.

Scout McMahon of Kalispell is the self-described “confident, loud girl in history class.” Her curiosity and academic interests have been shaped by her childhood in bush planes. McMahon likes exploring the limits of what she can accomplish mentally through speech and debate, mock trial and Model United Nations, as well as physically through biking, hiking, flying and swimming. As a nonprofit chair at age 17 (and representative of that nonprofit in a lawsuit against the secretary of state for voter rights), McMahon has devoted much of her free time to building her community. She believes in giving back and wants to empower her community the same way it empowered her. When not busy with other work, McMahon likes to knit, paint and grow plants.

Marley Miller from Kalispell is a Flathead High School graduate pursuing the full international baccalaureate diploma. He was involved with Health Occupations Students of America, DECA, student council, National Honor Society, He-Man book club (a club that reads to local second graders), track, swimming and cross-country. Miller was an executive mentor for Brave Mentoring (a mentoring program for freshmen). He also was the president of Health Occupations Students of America and DECA. He was elected governor at Boy’s State and was chosen out of the Flathead Valley for an award called “Today’s Achievers, Tomorrow’s Leaders.” He is also a DJ for school dances, weddings, and other events.

- by UM News Service -

(All photos above were supplied by the UM News Service)