Announcing the Second Recipient of the CPT Drew Ross Leadership Award: Will Gibbs

The Drew Ross Memorial Foundation is proud to announce Will Gibbs as the second recipient of the CPT Drew Ross Leadership Award at Rockbridge County High School (RCHS) in Lexington, VA. This prestigious award recognizes outstanding leadership, dedication, and excellence in both academics and extracurricular activities.

Will Gibbs’ journey through RCHS is a testament to his exceptional commitment and multifaceted talents. His impressive achievements span across various domains, showcasing his leadership qualities and relentless pursuit of excellence.

In the realm of athletics, Will has been an integral part of the swim team since the age of seven. His high school swimming career is highlighted by his recognition as the Male District Swimmer of the Year for 2022-23 and consistent placements in regional and state championships. Under his contribution, the RCHS boys’ swim team clinched the Districts title in 2022-23 and emerged as runner-up at the Regions in 2023-24. A standout moment includes his participation in the boys’ 200 freestyle relay, which secured second place at the state competition this year. Individually, Will excelled with a fifth-place finish in the 200 free and a seventh-place finish in the 500 free at the state meet in 2022-23. Notably, he holds the RCHS record for the 500 free.

Will’s athletic prowess extends beyond swimming. He has played golf for three years and has been a key member of the track team for four years, serving as team captain during his junior and senior years. His all-around excellence earned him the title of Male Top Cat, the student-scholar athlete of the year, for 2023-24.

Beyond sports, Will has demonstrated remarkable leadership in various extracurricular activities. As a member of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), he served as treasurer during his sophomore year and as president during his junior and senior years. Under his leadership, the FBLA chapter consistently excelled at regional and state conferences, and he personally won the state competition in spreadsheet applications in 2023. Additionally, Will played a crucial role in the RCHS Latin Club, where he served on the leadership team for the past two years. His efforts contributed to doubling the club’s membership and securing second place in the state at the Latin Quiz Bowl this year.

This fall, Will will begin a new chapter at Stanford University, where he plans to study economics and Classics. He looks forward to exploring the many opportunities Stanford offers, including participating in the marching band and the entrepreneurship club.

Will expressed his deep gratitude upon receiving the CPT Drew Ross Leadership Award, stating, “I am very honored to receive the Captain Andrew Ross Leadership Award and hope to inspire others through my leadership, just as Drew did.”

The Drew Ross Memorial Foundation congratulates Will Gibbs on his outstanding achievements and is confident that he will continue to inspire others with his leadership and dedication. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors at Stanford University and beyond.