JOHNSON CITY (January 29, 2013) – East Tennessee State University has announced the newest members of the Roan Scholars Leadership Program. These five students will begin the program in the fall.

Funded primarily by private donations, the prestigious Roan Scholars Leadership Program was established more than 10 years ago to help retain, educate and develop the region’s best potential leadership talent. In addition to the scholarship’s financial incentives, Roan Scholars also benefit from leader development opportunities, such as international travel and study abroad experiences, internships, service projects and other unique programs during their time at ETSU.

James William Grindstaff, a senior at Unaka High School, is the son of Jerry and Teresa Grindstaff of Elizabethton. Captain of the football team and senior class treasurer, he has also been actively involved in numerous other school organizations, including membership in the National Honor Society and serving as president of both the Spanish Club and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). During the 2012 statewide FBLA leadership competition, Grindstaff earned 4th place.

Within the Stoney Creek community, Grindstaff has volunteered his time with a local daycare service, the Christmas Angels project, Unaka Baptist Church, and a school restoration effort sponsored by Lowe’s Home Improvement Store. He is a member of the local “Clean Teens” organization, and also volunteers weekly at a local elementary school, working directly with the students and serving as a basketball coach. In recognition of his community service, Grindstaff was presented with a special plaque by the mayor of Carter County.

Grindstaff plans to pursue a career in the environmental science field.

Carlee Dawn Haas is completing her senior year at North Greene High School in Greene County, where she is the co-founder of the school’s anti-bullying awareness club and founder of the “To Write Love On Her Arms” (TWLOHA) organization, which organizes volunteer efforts at local rehabilitation centers, coordinates peer and professional counseling for students, and addresses mental health-related issues, such as depression, addiction, and suicide, that affect teens.

Haas also serves as captain of the Color Guard and Winter Guard teams, editor of the school newspaper, and vice president of both FBLA and Upward Bound. A member of the school’s Science Club, she has earned recognition for academic excellence in ecology, creative writing and personal finance. Within the local community, she functions as student coordinator for annual events such as a breast cancer awareness walk and a “Keep Greene Beautiful” walk. She has also volunteered at Takoma Adventist Hospital and Baileyton Elementary School.

Haas is the daughter of Thomas Haas of Chuckey. Her career plans include attending medical school and becoming a surgeon.

Taylor Anne Martin is a graduate of the Bristol Youth Leadership program and is heavily involved as a youth leader in local community and church activities. A youth minister for Wyld Life, a Kingsport Young Life program for middle school students, Martin also serves as a student mentor at the YMCA and volunteers at Holston Middle School.

At Sullivan Central High School, she was a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, and both the Science and Math National Honor Societies. Additionally, she was a member of the varsity soccer team, a student minister with Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), and a member of the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) team that placed second in the annual regional competition.

The daughter of Peter and Helen Martin, she resides with her mother in Kingsport, where she recently graduated early from Sullivan Central High School. She plans to pursue a career in nursing.

Chandler Caroline Parris hails from Canton, N.C., and is a senior at Pisgah High School. The first-ever female member of the school’s Key Club, she currently serves as the club’s president and is active in the organization at the district level.

A student council class representative during her sophomore, junior and senior years, Parris is a member of the National Honor Society and photo editor for the school yearbook. A member of the cross country and track teams, she is also involved with Pep Club, Leo Club, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Additionally, she serves as a freshman mentor at her high school, and she mentors elementary school students through the “Breakfast of Champions” program.

Outside of school, Parris volunteers with Open Door Ministries and at a local soup kitchen, and she has been actively involved each year with the local Relay for Life event. Having participated regularly with “World Changers” and gone on multiple mission trips with that organization, she plans to take part in another trip before graduation.

Parris plans to pursue a career in pharmacy. Her parents are Stephen and Shawn Parris.

Millie Patricia Robinson is the daughter of Marc Robinson and Hazel Fulton Robinson and lives with her mother in Johnson City. A senior at Science Hill High School, she is co-founder and president of the Science Hill Ambassadors Club, vice president of the National Beta Club, a student leader with the “First Priority of Science Hill” club, and chapter president of the school’s Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) team.

An active community member, Robinson has taught Sunday school throughout her high school career, volunteered with the Parent Teacher Student Association and the Rise Up! Mentoring program, and she has been an assistant tennis coach. During her senior year, she is also serving as a tutor.

The recipient of numerous individual awards for academic excellence, Robinson has also helped her HOSA team earn many state and regional-level awards.

Robinson plans to major in nursing at ETSU, and then to pursue a career in the mental health care field.

“We’re excited about this incoming class of Roan Scholars,” says program director Scott Jeffress. “They bring a great deal of talent, impressive achievements to date, and – most importantly – a passion for leadership and for serving others. We look forward to them joining us on campus this fall, and to seeing the positive impacts they will have on ETSU and local communities.”

For more information about the program, contact the Roan Scholars office at (423) 439-7677 or jeffress@etsu.edu.