Wilbanks Receives First Carroll Arts Scholarship

West Carroll High School student Brylan Wilbanks received the 2026 Carroll Arts Scholarship Thursday night during the High School Celebration of the Arts at The Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center.

Carroll Arts, Inc. initiated the scholarship program in 2026, offering an award amount of $500.00 to one student in the area who worked to develop skills and abilities in the arts.

While all the applicants showed a great deal of achievement in the arts, Wilbanks stood out for her talent, dedication and leadership, according to Carroll County Mayor Joseph Butler.

“This student has consistently shown a drive to learn, lead and grow — both inside and outside the classroom,” Butler said.

Wilbanks has participated in prestigious programs such as the Congress of Future Medical Leaders and the Vanderbilt University Program for Talented Youth. In 2025, Wilbanks was recognized as an honors scholar for 2026 at the University of Memphis. She has shown leadership and dedication through her involvement in band and extracurricular activities. She spent seven years playing the French horn in band, serving as section leader in 2024 and 2025, and stepping into the role of band leader for the 2025-26 school year along the way, earning awards such as Best New Marcher in 2022, Best Marcher in 2024 and 2025, Best Brass in 2025 and Best Soloist in 2024.

Wilbanks’ future plans include being a part of the band at the University of Mississippi. Driven by her passion for helping people, she will major in psychology.

Wilbanks’ other extracurricular activities include Art Club, Beta Club, and the Wit Lits Book Club. Dancing and theater were also important activities to Wilbanks.

West Carroll’s theater arts teacher described Wilbanks as “a one of a kind student who will succeed at whatever life throws at her.”

Carroll Arts’ Glynda Rich and Carol Armpriest presented Wilbanks with her certificate of scholarship.