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

tomorrow.

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presented by

South Doyle High School Knox County

Emily TaylorSalutatorian, National Honor Society, Daughter of Lisa and Greg Taylor

Madison ChandlerValedictorian, National Honor Society, Daughter of Lorie and Daryl Chandler

Paige ClarkSalutatorian, National Honor Society, 2016 Southern Appalachian Science and Engineering Fair Microbiology Division Winner and 5th Overall, 2016 USA National Clogging Senior Soloist Title Holder, Daughter of Laura and Tommy Clark

Brandon KristyThird in Class, National Honor Society, Graduate of Youth Leadership Knoxville, Health Occupational Students of America President, Son of Kristi and David Kristy

Max GillenwaterFourth in Class, Excellence in Academics, All IMAC, KIL, and Region in Cross Country, National Honor Society, Son of Hope and Brannan Gillenwater

Sunbright High School Morgan County

Cassandra ByramValedictorian, DECA President, Vice-President of Beta Club, Renaissance, Daughter of Carla Byram and William Northrup

Luke DanielValedictorian, Beta Club President, 1st Team All District in Football, Senior Class President, Son of Tasha and Barry Daniel

Jennica EnglandSalutatorian, TN Govenor’s School for Science and Engineering , DAR Representative, Miss Sunbright High School, Daughter of Jennie and Tim England

Kaeley FrielHonor Student, Senior Class Secretary, Beta Club Member, Varsity Basketball, Daughter of Shannon and Dan Friel

Kaitlyn HambyValedictorian, Senior Class Vice-President, Beta Club Secretary, Varsity Basketball, Daughter of Lorna and Steve Hamby

Sweetwater High School Monroe County

Jaci BakerValedictorian, 2016 Girls State Delegate , Beta Club Treasurer, Spanish Club President, Daughter of Katherine and Danny Baker

Jake WattsSalutatorian, State Qualifier for the Future Farmers of America Employment Skills LDE, Beta Club Secretary, DAR Good Citizen Award, Son of Brenda and David Watts

Benjamin WilhiteSalutatorian, Beta Club President, Senior Class President, Student Council Representative, Son of Nancy Wilhite and Brian Wilhite

Savannah MaysNational Society of High School Scholars, Gold Card Member (earned all A’s) , Member of Club 21 (Scored over 21 on the ACT), Daughter of Stephine and Richard Mays

Jade JinksFuture Farmers of America Vice President & Secretary, Marble Town Guardians, Member of Club 21 (scored over 21 on the ACT), Daughter of Joni and Jay Jinks

Tellico Plains High School Monroe County

Cheyenne ThompsonValedictorian, Horatio Alger National Scholar, A Honor Roll (4 years), Dual Enrollment Awards in Biology II and Statistics, Daughter of Kelli and the late Reed Thompson

Riley morrowValedictorian, Winner in the Hiwassee College Math Competition for High School Students, A Honor Roll (4 years), Dual Enrollment Pre-Calculus Award, Son of Cindy Gabrel and Sammy Morrow

Tucker McDonaldValedictorian, Beta Club, Tennessee American Legion Boys State, Algebra II Award, Son of Gretchen and Michael McDonald

Morgan TeetersValedictorian, National Merit Scholar, Beta Club, A Honor Roll (4 years), Daughter of Melanie Shaw and Brian Teeters

Weston HamiltonValedictorian, National Society of High School Scholars, 4-H Congress Delegate, Ambassador for the Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders, Son of Deanne and Greg Kirkland; the late Jeremy Hamilton

Temple Baptist Academy Knox County

Ashlee KiserValedictorian, Band, Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer, Choir, Daughter of Crystal Kiser; Scott and Charlene Kiser

Alana FordSalutatorian, Music & Fine Arts Participant, Volleyball, Basketball, and Soccer, Academic Competition, Daughter of Amy and Stephen Sikorski; Stephen Ford

Madison LindsayHonorable Mention, Music & Fine Arts Competition, Cheerleading, Academic Competition, Daughter of April and John Lindsay

Katelin PadgettHonorable Mention, Academic Competition, Cheerleading, Music & Fine Arts Competition, Daughter of Renee and David Padgett

Joseph JonesHonorable Mention, Math Bowl, Basketball & Soccer, Music & Fine Arts Competition, Son of Barbara and Steven Jones

Tennessee School for the Deaf Knox County

Brianna MooreValedictorian, Senior Class President, Gallaudet University Academic Bowl Captain, Beta Club President, Daughter of Amanda Moore-Grady and Tim Tellman

Wilhemina RobinsonTop 5 in Class, Senior Class Secretary, Viking Heart Award, Varsity Volleyball - Co-Captain, Daughter of Shakita and Willie Robinson

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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