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. Like us and share today! presented by Hancock County High School Hancock county Pamela Jo Seal Valedictorian, Graduating with Honors and Distinction, HOSA Secretary, Powell Valley Essay Contest (1st place) Daughter of Patsy and Rick Seal Alex Greene Salutatorian, 4-H Honor Club (2 years), Gold Card Recipient (4 years), Music Club President (2 years) Son of Jennifer and Brian Greene Katey Gibson Third in Class, Graduating with Honors and Distinction, Honor Roll (8 Semesters), Varsity Volleyball and Basketball Captain Daughter of Deborah and Michael Gibson Seth Kerney Fourth in Class, Baseball (5 years), Gold Card Recipient (4 years), Multiple Academic Subject Awards Son of Marsha and Jody Kerney Sharolyn Johnson Fifth in Class, Student Body President, Reporter for “Sneedville Shopper”, Gold Card Recipeint (4 years) Daughter of Jamie and Scott Hodge; Kevin and Rhonda Johnson Hardin Valley Academy Knox County Brandon Chu Valedictorian, Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts, HVA Varsity Tennis, Executive Board for TALONS Mentoring Son of Sally and Chan- Man Chu Jackson Smith Salutatorian, Executive Captain, HVA First Robotics, Eagle Scout, AP Scholar with Distinction Son of Kathy and Robert Smith Jana Giaquinto Top 5 in Class, National Honor Society, K2 Volleyball, Mu Alpha Theta Daughter of Beth and Joseph Giaquinto Chase Matlack Top 5 in Class, National Merit Finalist, Wrestling Team Captain, AP Scholar with Distinction Son of Lisa and Dan Matlack Breanna Piercy Top 5 in Class, 2016 Tennessee Governor’s School for the Humanities, AP Scholar with Honor, Technology Student Association - Chapter Officer Daughter of Monique and Clark Piercy Harriman High School Roane County Ty Sather Valedictorian, Senior Class President, Beta Club President, Boys State Delegate Son of Janet and Larry Sather Hunter Clark Valedictorian, Football All State, Science Bowl, Honors with Distinction, State Honors Son of Amy Jenkins and Bobby Clark Soraya Olvera State Honors with Distinction, Citizenship Award, Outstanding Writer Award, Honor Roll Daughter of Rose and Keith Duvall Bryley Works Salutatorian, State Honors with Distinction, Tennessee Scholars, Beta Club Daughter of Ashley Shannon Dakotah Harris State Honors with Distinction, Phi Theta Kappa International Honors Society, Beta Senior Cabinet Member, Verteran of Foreign Wars Author Son of Michelle Harris and Johnathan Harris Heritage High School Blount County Josie Nash Valedictorian, Youth Leadership Blount (2015), Children’s Hospital VolunTeen (2014-Present), Two-time Winner of the Four Star Academic award of excellence Daughter of Janna and Brook Nash Carson Morgan Salutatorian, Youth Leadership Blount (2015), STAND Vice President, National Honor Society Son of Annette and Kevin Morgan Cortney Wolfe Third in Class, Varsity member of East TN Rowing Crew, Science Bowl Team Captain, (9) Academic Letters Daughter of Tammy and Tony Wolfe Mattie Elliot Fourth in Class, Heritage Chorister Award-Singers, Youth Leadership Blount (2015), Roane State Chemistry Finalist Daughter of Julie and Barry Elliot Lindsey Phillips Fifth in Class, STEM Club, Math Academic Award, Science Academic Award Daughter of Mickie and Eric Phillips J. Frank White Academy Claiborne County Casidy Carroll Top 5 in Class, Senior Class Vice President, Senior Beta, Cheerleader Daughter of Jennifer and Tim Carroll Cassidy Lea Edwards Top 5 in Class, National Honor Society, Senior Beta Daughter of Laura and Greg Edwards Rebecca Loveless Top 5 in Class, Science Olympiad, Senior Beta Daughter of Patti and Michael Loveless Kaylor Neely Top 5 in Class, Senior Beta, Science Olympiad, National Honor Society Daughter of Lori Widner Lucas Payne Top 5 in Class, Book Club, National Honor Society, Senior Beta Son of Tammy Shackford Jefferson County High School Jefferson County Luke Kindred High Honors, ETSU University Honors Scholar, Tennessee Boys State, Governor’s School for the Scientific Exploration of Tennessee Heritage Son of Miriam and Robert Kindred Nicholas Britt High Honors, Academic Achievers, Science Club Son of Heather and Edward Britt Kailee Hixon High Honors, Color Guard, HOSA Vice President, National Honor Society Daughter of Lynna and Kevin Hixon Angy Wang High Honors, Spanish Club President, Science Club Secretary, University Honors Daughter of Cui Ping and Xue Jin Wang Stone Stephens High Honors, Appointed to United States Military Academy at West Point, All-Conference Track/Cross Country, Legion of Valor Bronze Cross of Achievement Son of Cassandra and Gregory Stephens You’ve made it to the top We join the News Sentinel in saluting you for all the hard work it took you to get there. Enjoy the view. You’re an inspiration to all of East Tennessee. Congratulations 2017 Academic Achievers 0063_0117 KN-1558335