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 six days.

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presented by

Hancock County High School Hancock county

Pamela Jo SealValedictorian, Graduating with Honors and Distinction, HOSA Secretary, Powell Valley Essay Contest (1st place)Daughter of Patsy and Rick Seal

Alex GreeneSalutatorian, 4-H Honor Club (2 years), Gold Card Recipient (4 years), Music Club President (2 years)Son of Jennifer and Brian Greene

Katey GibsonThird in Class, Graduating with Honors and Distinction, Honor Roll (8 Semesters), Varsity Volleyball and Basketball CaptainDaughter of Deborah and Michael Gibson

Seth KerneyFourth in Class, Baseball (5 years), Gold Card Recipient (4 years), Multiple Academic Subject AwardsSon of Marsha and Jody Kerney

Sharolyn JohnsonFifth in Class, Student Body President, Reporter for “Sneedville Shopper”, Gold Card Recipeint (4 years)Daughter of Jamie and Scott Hodge; Kevin and Rhonda JohnsonHardin Valley Academy Knox County

Brandon ChuValedictorian, Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts, HVA Varsity Tennis, Executive Board for TALONS MentoringSon of Sally and Chan-Man Chu

Jackson SmithSalutatorian, Executive Captain, HVA First Robotics, Eagle Scout, AP Scholar with DistinctionSon of Kathy and Robert Smith

Jana GiaquintoTop 5 in Class, National Honor Society, K2 Volleyball, Mu Alpha ThetaDaughter of Beth and Joseph Giaquinto

Chase MatlackTop 5 in Class, National Merit Finalist, Wrestling Team Captain, AP Scholar with DistinctionSon of Lisa and Dan Matlack

Breanna PiercyTop 5 in Class, 2016 Tennessee Governor’s School for the Humanities, AP Scholar with Honor, Technology Student Association - Chapter OfficerDaughter of Monique and Clark PiercyHarriman High School Roane County

Ty SatherValedictorian, Senior Class President, Beta Club President, Boys State DelegateSon of Janet and Larry Sather

Hunter ClarkValedictorian, Football All State, Science Bowl, Honors with Distinction, State HonorsSon of Amy Jenkins and Bobby Clark

Soraya OlveraState Honors with Distinction, Citizenship Award, Outstanding Writer Award, Honor RollDaughter of Rose and Keith Duvall

Bryley WorksSalutatorian, State Honors with Distinction, Tennessee Scholars, Beta ClubDaughter of Ashley Shannon

Dakotah HarrisState Honors with Distinction, Phi Theta Kappa International Honors Society, Beta Senior Cabinet Member, Verteran of Foreign Wars AuthorSon of Michelle Harris and Johnathan HarrisHeritage High School Blount County

Josie NashValedictorian, Youth Leadership Blount (2015), Children’s Hospital VolunTeen (2014-Present), Two-time Winner of the Four Star Academic award of excellenceDaughter of Janna and Brook Nash

Carson MorganSalutatorian, Youth Leadership Blount (2015), STAND Vice President, National Honor SocietySon of Annette and Kevin Morgan

Cortney WolfeThird in Class, Varsity member of East TN Rowing Crew, Science Bowl Team Captain, (9) Academic LettersDaughter of Tammy and Tony Wolfe

Mattie ElliotFourth in Class, Heritage Chorister Award-Singers, Youth Leadership Blount (2015), Roane State Chemistry FinalistDaughter of Julie and Barry Elliot

Lindsey PhillipsFifth in Class, STEM Club, Math Academic Award, Science Academic AwardDaughter of Mickie and Eric Phillips

J. Frank White Academy Claiborne County

Casidy CarrollTop 5 in Class, Senior Class Vice President, Senior Beta, CheerleaderDaughter of Jennifer and Tim Carroll

Cassidy Lea EdwardsTop 5 in Class, National Honor Society, Senior BetaDaughter of Laura and Greg Edwards

Rebecca LovelessTop 5 in Class, Science Olympiad, Senior BetaDaughter of Patti and Michael Loveless

Kaylor NeelyTop 5 in Class, Senior Beta, Science Olympiad, National Honor SocietyDaughter of Lori Widner

Lucas PayneTop 5 in Class, Book Club, National Honor Society, Senior BetaSon of Tammy Shackford

Jefferson County High School Jefferson County

Luke KindredHigh Honors, ETSU University Honors Scholar, Tennessee Boys State, Governor’s School for the Scientific Exploration of Tennessee HeritageSon of Miriam and Robert Kindred

Nicholas BrittHigh Honors, Academic Achievers, Science ClubSon of Heather and Edward Britt

Kailee HixonHigh Honors, Color Guard, HOSA Vice President, National Honor SocietyDaughter of Lynna and Kevin Hixon

Angy WangHigh Honors, Spanish Club President, Science Club Secretary, University HonorsDaughter of Cui Ping and Xue Jin Wang

Stone StephensHigh Honors, Appointed to United States Military Academy at West Point, All-Conference Track/Cross Country, Legion of Valor Bronze Cross of AchievementSon of Cassandra and Gregory Stephens

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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