Duckworth, a resident of Collierville, Tenn., graduated from Collierville High School. At UK, she has written for the The Kentucky Kernel and Tidings, the UK Honors Program newsletter. A longtime horse lover, Duckworth volunteers at the Kentucky Horse Park, working in the Hall of Champions, and is a member of the UK Horse Racing Club.
The University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Telecommunications has announced Amanda Duckworth, a senior journalism major, as the first recipient of the Joe Hirsch Scholarship. The Hirsch Scholarship pays full tuition for the 2005-06 academic year and includes an internship. Financial support for the scholarship is being provided by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form, and other industry groups. The scholarship honors long-time racing reporter and columnist Joe Hirsch, who retired in November 2003 after a 55-year career that included 49 years with the Daily Racing Form