ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - For almost the past four decades, a Roanoke area golfer has been awarded the largest golf scholarship in the area, and on Wednesday, the Don Holliday Scholarship Tournament Board of Directors announced the 39th recipient.

“I had no idea, I was so surprised,” says Brooke Smyth, a Glenvar High School student planning to attend Virginia Tech. “It was the best feeling ever. Especially seeing my family. I didn’t even know at first that this was happening but seeing my family was the best thing ever.”

Smyth earned the four-year, $30,000 scholarship through her excellent grades, extracurriculars, and community service. For her, Wednesday’s honor is an example of all her hard work paying off.

“It really has. This is crazy,” she says.

Smyth added that she’s excited to represent the Highlanders, being the first student athlete from Glenvar to receive the scholarship since 1995.