Florida attorney Willie Gary will visit West Charlotte High School on Friday, part of a 2007 commitment he made to check on the academic progress of the school.

Gary, listed in Forbes magazine as one of the nation’s top 50 attorneys, will give a motivational speech to 9th- and 10th-graders. Student leaders will update Gary on the school's academic progress, awards and honors. This will be his third visit.

In 2007, Gary challenged West Charlotte students to make academic gains and has backed that challenge with cash. The Willie Gary Foundation that year awarded a senior a $70,000 college scholarship. The following year he surprised another senior with an $80,000 scholarship.

“Mr. Gary is one of West Charlotte’s biggest supporters,” Principal John Modest said.  “We want him to know that our students have accepted his challenge to perform better in school.”

Gary earned a business degree from Shaw University and a law degree from North Carolina Central.

Gary and his wife, Gloria, created their foundation to steer young people away from crime and drugs and toward education. The couple has long supported historically black colleges and universities.

His practice is in Stuart, Fla.

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