Since 1985, the News Sentinel has recognized more than 9,400 East Tennessee graduating high school seniors as Academic Achievers.This year’s honorees

come from 68 public and private accredited East Tennessee high schools.Academic Achievers are

chosen by the schools on the basis of grades. They are also leaders in school activities and in

their communities. These seniors are the present

and future of East Tennessee.

On our 33rd anniversary, we are pleased to partner with U.S.

Cellular, one of the nation’s leading wireless

carriers with its East Region headquartered

in Knoxville, in announcing the 335

academic honorees of 2017. We will recognize the achievements of the remaining students over

the next two days.

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presented by

Roane County High School Roane County

Charles CoenValedictorian, All State Band (4 years), Samsung American Legion Award, Roane RoboticsSon of Amy and Joe Coen

Lauren WatkinsSalutatorian, Drum Major (2 years), ETSBOA All-State East (3 years), Beta ClubDaughter of Jennifer Langford and Thad Watkins

Emma SavageSenior Class President, Band Captain, Attended ALA Volunteer Girls StateDaughter of Judy and Joe Savage

Sarah WilsonBeta Club Treasurer, Math Department Award, Student CouncilDaughter of Karen and Robert Wilson

Genna BrizendineTN Governor’s School for Humanities, English Departmental Award, Roane State Academic Festival - 1st place Traditional PoetryDaughter of Jennifer and Jay Brizendine

Rockwood High School Roane County

Stephanie LongValedictorian, Beta Club, Volunteer Girls State Delegate, FBLA TreasurerDaughter of Tina and Steve Long

Christina LongValedictorian, Beta Club Secretary, Volunteer Girls State Delegate, Senior Class TreasurerDaughter of Tina and Steve Long

Brooke TiptonSalutatorian, Beta Club , Dual Enrollment StudentDaughter of Regina and Kevin Tipton

Brittani RidenourSalutatorian, Girls State Participate, Beta ClubDaughter of Michelle and Scott Ridenour

Eden PolandSalutatorian, Beta Club Co-President, Dual Enrollment StudentDaughter of Rita and Cecil Bowlin

Scott High School Scott County

Benjamin BlakleyValedictorian, Student Council President (4 years), S.T.A.N.D. Youth Board President (3 years), Soccer and Cross Country (4 years)Son of Paula and Mark Blakley

Johnathan BridgesValedictorian, Tennessee Beta Club Secretary-State Office Level (2016-17), Tennessee Scholar, Soccer and Cross Country (4 years)Son of Kim and Jason Bridges

Victoria YadenValedictorian, Beta Club (4 years), S.T.A.N.D. Youth Board of Directors (3 years), Soccer, Track and FieldDaughter of Gail and David Sexton

Savannah yorkValedictorian, Beta Club (4 years), Tennessee Scholar, Basketball, Cross Country, Track & FieldDaughter of Denise York and Joey York

Amanda EllisValedictorian, Tennessee Scholar, Beta Club (4 years), Cross Country, Track & FieldDaughter of Rebecca Ellis and the late Donald Ellis

Sequoyah High School Monroe County

Brady HansenTop 5 in Class, Student Council Vice President, Spanish Excellence Award, Eagle ScoutSon of Tonya and Fred Williams; Brett and Heather Hansen

Leah SpradlinTop 5 in Class, Ethics Bowl Captain, Beta Club Vice President, 3 Academic Excellence Ceremonial Pins Daughter of Leandra and Phillip Swanson; the late Steven Spradlin

Kathryn KirklandTop 5 in Class, National Society of High School Scholars, People to People Ambassador, Beta Club Daughter of David Kirkland and the late Rebecca Kirkland

Shannon DennardTop 5 in Class, Published Article in Tennessee Magazine, WYT (Washington Youth Tour) Essay Contest Winner, Boys State Son of Candice Logan and Alfred Dennard

Megan MillsTop 5 in Class, TN Governor’s School for Agricultural Sciences, Lovely Stephens Junior Stockman Award, Monroe County Senior Leadership Achievement AwardDaughter of Dana and Mark Mills

Sevier County High School Sevier County

Jackson HounshellValedictorian, Knoxville News Sentinel 2015 “Careacter” Award, Wendy’s High School Heisman, Presidential Scholars Program NomineeSon of Jackie and Bob Hounshell

McKayla FloydValedictorian, Junior Classical League, Girl Scouts, Academic Honor RollDaughter of Karen and Randy Floyd

Colin MooreValedictorian, National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Band CaptainSon of Cathalina and Howard Moore

Macee RobertsonValedictorian, National Honor Society, Beta Club, Sevierville Teen BoardDaughter of Michelle and David Robertson

Devin RolandValedictorian, Governor’s School for Computational Physics, Spanish Honors Society President, National Science Honor Society SecretarySon of Ariane and Mark Roland

Seymour High School Sevier County

Cassidy Lea BaileyValedictorian, 30’s ACT Club , Science Olympiad Medalist, National Society of High School ScholarsDaughter of Stephanie Lea and Scott A. Bailey

Emma CappsValedictorian, 30’s ACT Club, Math Competitions, President’s Award for Educational ExcellenceDaughter of Emily and Greg Capps

Reece HoukValedictorian, Art Club, National Society of High School Scholars, President’s Award for Academic ExcellenceDaughter of Gina and Monty Houk

Eli JenkinsValedictorian, National Merit Scholarship Commended Student, President’s Award for Educational Excellence, All-Conference Golf teamSon of Sarah and Jason Jenkins

Daniel TroutmanValedictorian, Governor’s School for Emerging Technologies, Scholar’s Bowl, 30’s ACT ClubSon of Cheryl and Dr. David Troutman

You’vemade it to the topYou vemade it to the top.

We join theNewsSentinelin salutingyou for all thehardwork it tookyou toget there. Enjoy theview.You’re an inspiration

to all of East Tennessee.

Congratulations

2017Academic Achievers

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