Oak Ridge program ‘Best in Tennessee’
The Boys & Girls Club of Oak Ridge has received statewide recognition for its youth basketball program, earning the 2026 Program Excellence Award for Best Sports, Fitness & Recreation Program in Tennessee from Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Tennessee Area Council.
The award recognizes outstanding youth programs across Tennessee that demonstrate excellence in impact, innovation and engagement. The Boys & Girls Club of Oak Ridge’s basketball program offers children opportunities to develop their athletic skills while fostering teamwork, leadership and confidence.
In addition to recreational and competitive leagues, the club offered an all-girls league for the first time in its nearly 70-year history. The club even utilized the creativity of youth who participated in its after-school program to design the uniforms worn throughout the league.
“We are incredibly honored to receive this recognition,” said Alex Myers, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Oak Ridge. “Our basketball program is about so much more than a game. This program opens doors and provides young people with a place where they feel supported and encouraged to grow both on and off the court.”
The Club’s basketball league serves nearly 300 youth from across the community and continues to grow each year thanks to the support of volunteers, sponsors and community partners.
It’s spring and KCS is talking graduation
Knox County Schools has announced the Class of 2026 valedictorians and salutatorians as well as a schedule for graduation ceremonies. “We are proud of these academic leaders and grateful for the families, teachers and communities who supported their success,” said a release from KCS.
Commencement schedule for each school can be found here. Academic leaders are:
Austin-East High School
- Lily Seaton, Valedictorian
- Seth Sparks, Salutatorian
Bearden High School
- Mery Diaz, Valedictorian
- Yejoon Ham, Valedictorian
- Leo Nishizawa, Salutatorian
Career Magnet Academy
- Josie Bales, Valedictorian
- Autumn Buchholz, Salutatorian
- Ru Syuan Cheng, Salutatorian
- Asia Harris, Salutatorian
Carter High School
- Diana Escobar-Salgado, Valedictorian
- Maggie Messer, Salutatorian
Central High School
- Barrett Lemons, Valedictorian
- Isabella Huddleston, Salutatorian
Farragut High School
- Sophia Chen, Valedictorian
- James Nguyen, Salutatorian
- Ruhaan Singh, Salutatorian
Fulton High School
- Marsiyah Matthews, Valedictorian
- Cecilia Andres Jose, Salutatorian
Gibbs High School
- Mikel Van Pelt, Valedictorian
- Jacob Donaldson, Salutatorian
Halls High School
- Addyson DeHart, Valedictorian
- Annsley Bruce, Salutatorian
Hardin Valley Academy
- Zainab Hasan, Valedictorian
- Levi Jerrell, Salutatorian
Karns High School
- Charlotte Lopez, Valedictorian
- Brady Reed, Salutatorian
Knox County Virtual School
- Rebecca Rudd, Valedictorian
- Nicholas Cassell, Salutatorian
L&N STEM Academy
- Harshita Nagar, Valedictorian
- Jelena Armsworth, Salutatorian
Powell High School
- Caleb Lanius, Valedictorian
- Giselle Cruz Cardoza, Salutatorian
South-Doyle High School
- Calvin Richardson, Valedictorian
- Isaiah Mitchell, Salutatorian
- Avery York, Salutatorian
West High School
- Kaia Harbick, Valedictorian
- Henry Casey, Salutatorian
- Ian Steiger, Salutatorian
Career Day at Farragut Primary
On March 6, Farragut Primary School second graders experienced Career Day. Thirty professionals visited the school and showcased their careers. Participants included TN Smokies, Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital, 99.1 The Sports Animal, Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), Clayton Homes, ORNL, Cook’s Pest Control, Eagle Point Builders and more. The students visited tables at their own pace and left with a bag full of goodies to remember the day. Career awareness starts in the elementary years!
In Memoriam
Bobby White
Bobby Lynn White, a lifelong resident of the Davis Chapel Community of LaFollette, passed away on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at the age of 84. He had a 40-year career in education in Campbell County and also was owner-operator of White Monument Company, a third-generation business he ran for many years. He worked his farm and served as a Campbell County commissioner for 16 years (1998-2014).
A graduate of LaFollette High School, he earned a degree in education from Cumberland College and a master’s in history from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Mr. White taught both elementary and high school but spent most of his tenure teaching seventh grade Tennessee history. He also served as assistant principal of LaFollette Junior High and Middle School. His services were March 8, 2026, at Walters Funeral Home in LaFollette, Tennessee. The obituary is here.
Notes & Quotes
Bobcat Bash, Central High School, Thursday, April 2, 5-7 p.m. Car show, vendors, food trucks and more. Info: Cassidy Taylor at 865-689-1400 ext. 71915 or email cassidy.taylor@knoxschools.org.
Oak Ridge Schools will host a districtwide Job Fair on Wednesday, April 1, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the School Administration Building, 304 New York Avenue, Oak Ridge. Info: www.ortn.edu/.
Knox County Retired Teachers Association will meet at 11:15 a.m. Thursday, March 26, 2026, at Rothchild Catering on Kingston Pike to hear “Showdown at the Old Knoxville Courthouse: How Knoxville may have changed history.” The cost is $25 and the deadline for reservations is Monday, March 23. Text Karen Peterman at 865-363-6854 or email petermank1@gmail.com.
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