“Roots” will be returned to libraries in Knox County School “effective immediately,” Superintendent Dr. Jon Rysewyk announced in a memo to school board members dated Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Roots Reinstated Memo
Interestingly, the final day of the school year was a half-day on Thursday, May 21.
Katherine Bike
Rysewyk was just one step ahead of the school board requiring him to take this action. Led by board member Katherine Bike (District 4), several board members had expressed concern following the banning of the 1976 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alex Haley from school libraries based on 2024 changes to state law, the Age-Appropriate Materials Act.
Reporters Shelby Wright and Lauren Davis of WBIR TV published a comprehensive report at 4:28 p.m. Tuesday. You can read it here.
Bike said Tuesday: “Roots is a significant work of American literature and history, and students should have access to books that help them better understand our nation’s past and the experiences that have shaped it. This situation underscores the need to review both KCS policy and state law that made this removal possible.”
Theater excellence recognized with Marquee Awards
Marquee Awards, sponsored by the Tennessee Theatre on May 17, 2026, recognized area students who have excelled in theater. Look for your school here:
- Lucien Crane, Outstanding Lead Actor, Male, Webb School of Knoxville
- Abigail Cutler, Outstanding Lead Actor, Female, Swain County High School
- Kylee Nations, Outstanding Scenic Design: Into the Woods, Swain County High School
- Allie Glaspie, Outstanding Scenic Artistry, Anastasia, Seymour High School
- Lauren Thornton, Julia Radford, Caroline Thornton, Outstanding Prop Design, Peter Pan (1954 Broadway Version), Grace Christian Academy
- Ni Luh Menaka, Outstanding Lighting Design, Into the Woods, Swain County High School
- Rebekah Wood and Bridget Garner, Outstanding Choreography Design, Footloose, Heritage High School
- Charity Davis, Outstanding Costume Design, Big Fish, South-Doyle High School
- Milena Painter, Taylor Haun, Abigayle Lundberg, Outstanding Poster Design, Legally Blonde The Musical, Bearden High School
- Daniela Hernandez, co-winner, Student Reporter, Legally Blonde The Musical, Bearden High School
- Charity Davis, co-winner, Student Reporter, Big Fish, South-Doyle High School
- Christian Academy of Knoxville, Outstanding Choreography Execution, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
- Seymour High School, Outstanding Ensemble, Anastasia
All-Star Cast Members
- Asheville High School – Jackson Schall
- Asheville School – Nikki Marmann
- Bearden High School – Chloe Ellis
- Carter High School – Trenton Tenbrook
- Central High School – Holly Sharp
- Christian Academy of Knoxville – Addy Giles
- Clayton-Bradley Academy – Gabe Ioannides
- Clinton High School – Everett Terry
- Concord Christian School – Ariana Mason
- Grace Christian Academy – Landry Beaver
- Hardin Valley Academy – Jaylon Carey
- Heritage High School – Alcus Broxson
- Karns High School – Evyn Mesa
- Knoxville Catholic High School – Stanley Nganga
- Maryville Christian School – Lilly Robbins
- Maryville High School – Josie Millsaps
- Northview Academy – Kayla Sizemore
- Oak Ridge High School – Vivian Sullivan
- Powell High School – Isabel Helle
- Sevier County High School – Nico Rainey
- Seymour High School – JT Parton
- South-Doyle High School – Titus Hunter
- Swain County High School – Bre DeAlto
- Webb School of Knoxville – Mayson Barger
- West High School – Lily Segars
- William Blount High School – Kendall Mills
All-Star Crew Members
- Asheville High School – Anna Payne
- Asheville School – Bel Witten
- Bearden High School – Addison Pratt
- Carter High School – Rylee Willson
- Central High School – Cambria Ellis
- Christian Academy of Knoxville – Tucker Darga
- Clayton-Bradley Academy – Susan Taluc
- Clinton High School – Heaven Brown
- Concord Christian School – Jonah Dewald
- Grace Christian Academy – Lauren Thornton
- Hardin Valley Academy – Brooks Chadwell
- Heritage High School – Brooklyn Whitehead
- Karns High School – Layla Tobey
- Knoxville Catholic High School – Corrine Warren
- Maryville Christian School – Sabine Kingman
- Maryville High School – Jacob Teske
- Northview Academy – Elizabeth Masse
- Oak Ridge High School – Lenore Hadley
- Powell High School – Allie Lakin
- Sevier County High School – Kailee Glass
- Seymour High School – Sarah Horton
- South-Doyle High School – Michelle Phelps
- Swain County High School – Ni-Luh Menaka
- Webb School of Knoxville – Murphy Diddle
- West High School – Sara Beckett
- William Blount High School – Kelci Coning
Recognition also went to:
Mandy Askins, Inspiring Teacher, Christian Academy of Knoxville
Destry Stalsworth, Outstanding featured actor male, as Amos Calloway in Big Fish, South-Doyle High School
Elizabeth Wheatley, Outstanding featured actor female, as Race in Newsies, Maryville Christian School
Outstanding overall musical, encore tier, Bearden High School, Legally Blonde The Musical
Outstanding overall musical, curtain call tier, Swain County High School, Into the Woods
The Marquee Awards are dedicated to supporting the talents, education, and opportunities of high school theater students in our region to build a strong and inclusive theater community, according to information from the Tennessee Theatre.
The program consists of two pieces:
- Education – Throughout the school year, participating schools have many opportunities for education including workshops with industry and local professionals, performance and production feedback from adjudicators, and nomination and recognition in several award categories.
- Community – Throughout the school year, participants have many opportunities to come together and get to know one another, outside of educational and professional development opportunities. The Marquee Awards strive to connect and encourage one another, and to build lasting relationships that elevate the arts community in our region.
South-Doyle HS JROTC in National Memorial Day Parade
On Monday, May 25, cadets from the South-Doyle High School JROTC represented Tennessee in the National Memorial Day Parade, joining more than 5,000 participants from all 50 states.
The parade was streamed online and televised nationally on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and The CW. It also aired on the American Forces Network, which broadcasts to military installations and U.S. Navy ships around the world.
During the trip, students visited several historic landmarks and attend a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, D.C.
Notes & Quotes
Terra Madre – Women in Clay exhibition is opening at the Emporium, 100 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, on Friday, June 5, from 5-9 p.m. This free gathering with the exhibiting artists will feature live music by Nick Marlow. The exhibit will be on display through June 26. Gallery hours are M-F 9-5.
North Knoxville Business & Professional Association will meet at noon on Friday, June 12, 2026, at Saint John’s Lutheran Church, 544 N. Broadway, at 8 a.m. A free breakfast, sponsored by East TN Heat & Air, will start at 7:45. Representatives from Centro Hispanol will speak.
Beaver Creek Flotilla is Saturday, May 30, 2026, launching at 9:30 a.m. at Powell High Landing, adjacent to the PHS baseball field on Brickyard Road. Gates open at 7 a.m. Info and registration here.
Quote: “To dream the impossible dream/ To fight the unbeatable foe/ To bear the unbearable sorrow/ To run where the brave dare not go.” – Opening lyrics from The Man from La Macha (or the breakfast chant of those suffering from TDS (Trump derangement syndrome)
