A surprise was in store for Whitehall High School graduate and University of the Sciences sophomore, Emily Brand, when she received Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference academic honors, having attained the highest GPA in the conference, at the conclusion of the CACC Cross Country Championships on Oct. 23 at Belmont Plateau in Philadelphia, Pa.

“I had no idea. I didn’t even know they gave out an award for that,” Brand said. “I was really excited about it because it was a lot of hard work that paid off in the end.”

Brand ran cross country for Whitehall and continued her cross country career at University of the Sciences where she is a sophomore majoring in pharmacy. Her GPA is 4.0.

“Sometimes it’s challenging, but I think of the end goal. It’s mainly a time management thing. When I come home from practice, I do my work right away,” said Brand.

The Devils are coached by Rich Digiacomo, and the women’s team placed third at the CACC meet. Afterward, Brand received a plaque for her academic success.

“I have a lot more science classes this year,” Brand said. “I’m in an accelerated program. It usually takes eight years, but here, it takes six.”

Brand will graduate with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.