Roan Scholars 2022
JOHNSON CITY (Feb. 1, 2018) – The Roan Scholars Leadership Program at East Tennessee State University has selected eight high school seniors for the incoming Class of 2022. Those students will join 21 returning Roan Scholars this fall as part of the prestigious four-year scholarship program.
“The Roan continues to inspire and develop transformative leaders to impact our world,” said Scott Jeffress, director of the Roan. “The Class of 2022 is a stellar group with exceptional leadership potential that we are excited to see grow and develop over the next four years at ETSU.”
This year’s class was selected from among more than 90 nominees in 27 counties across Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia and Western North Carolina.
The newest Roan Scholars are:
- Casey Bonnell (Grainger H.S., Rutledge, TN): With aspirations to follow in her grandfather’s footsteps as a pediatric surgeon,
Casey has invested time and effort in high school as captain of the school’s softball
team, president of Beta Club, class officer for the last three years, and harvester
at a local tomato farm. She is also a National Merit Commended Scholar, can solve
a Rubik’s cube and credits her parents’ service in the Air Force with her values of
integrity, dependability and responsibility. How do others describe her? “Casey is
not afraid of a challenge,” said Jill Denton, school counselor at Grainger High School.
“She has a love of learning, life and people.”
- Lily Edwards (Daniel Boone H.S., Gray, TN): Lily was on the school volleyball team for four years, is president of the Beta Club,
and is a committed member of Young Life. She has also received several honorable mentions
for her abilities to lift twice her body weight in the weight room. How do others
describe her? “Lily has more grit in her young body than I have seen in countless
adults,” said Regina Cox, school counselor at Daniel Boone High School.
- Addie Fairchild (Ashe County H.S., Deep Gap, NC): Recognizing a need for students to meet during the day for clubs and other academic
activities, Addie helped create SMART Lunch at her high school. When she isn’t finding
new ways to help her school or serving as student body president, Addie is also accomplished
at rodeo and is a former vice president of the North Carolina High School Rodeo Association.
What do others say about her? “She was instrumental in changing the culture of the
school, faculty and staff,” said Gordon Prince, assistant principal at Ashe County
High School.
- Caroline Parris (Pisgah H.S., Canton, NC): Caroline has already started a chapter of Interact, a Rotary-affiliated service organization,
and founded her own organization to raise money for breast cancer research. After
wildfires hit Gatlinburg and other surrounding areas in 2016, she helped start a supply
drive for area firefighters and was invited by the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) to raise awareness of natural disasters in the community. What do others say
about her? “Caroline’s leadership is the backbone of who she is; she is a servant
leader who steps up whenever she sees a need,” said Teresa Heinz, school counselor
at Pisgah High School.
- Shivam Patel (Morristown H.S. East, Morristown, TN): A musician, composer and actor, Shivam cares deeply about music. He also was a leader
in Boy Scouts, student body secretary and an Upward Bound scholar. What do others
say about him? “Shivam is not a person who is satisfied with the status quo, but is
consistently challenging himself and others to keep striving, keep pushing and always
aim higher,” said Karen Hartman, associate director of Tusculum College Upward Bound.
“I am confident Shivam will positively impact the university he attends and that one
day, the world will know his name.”
- Clara Reynolds (Providence Academy, Johnson City, TN): When Clara is not singing or practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or tennis, she is a talented
illustrator and a National Merit Commended Scholar. Using her skills and love for
drawing, Clara started the Superkids Project to encourage pediatric patients with
serious medical conditions by drawing them as superheroes. She involved Niswonger
Children’s Hospital and has dreams of expanding the project. What do others say about
her? “Her enthusiasm is catching, and she has learned how to persuade others and organize
people to accomplish a goal,” said Katherine Anderson, history teacher and department
head of social science at Providence Academy.
- Jordan Teague (Elizabethton H.S., Elizabethton, TN): Jordan is a classical pianist and a tennis player. She is also top of her class and
has played the French horn since sixth grade. With future plans in bioengineering,
Jordan also volunteered with the Johnson City Environmental Field Office to sample
local streams and seeks to maintain a meaningful connection with nature. What do others
say about her? “Jordan’s academic aptitude for mathematics and the sciences is only
outweighed by her desire to serve other people,” said Tina Robinson, Johnson City
Division of Water Resources.
- McKenzie Templeton (Gate City H.S., Gate City, VA): McKenzie founded Stand Up for Down Syndrome in honor of her younger brother to advocate for and celebrate individuals with Down syndrome and other special needs, and to educate others about those conditions. She is the youngest-ever ambassador for the Commonwealth of Virginia National Down Syndrome Society, a passionate filmmaker, a published poet, and a recipient of the Tennessee Governor’s Volunteer Star Award. What do others say about her? “She has the character and perseverance of someone who would become a CEO of a company, president of a nonprofit organization or a legislator,” said Tiffany Porter, president of Serving with Style.
“These scholars join more than 50 alumni around the country who are making a positive impact in many ways and in nearly every sector: business, education, nonprofit, government and the military,” said Louis Gump, founder of the Roan. “I continue to be thankful for the participating high schools, Roan staff and community members who make the Roan an important part of the region.”
The Roan Scholars Leadership Program inspires and develops students to be leaders of excellence who will positively impact the region and the world. The Roan includes a financial award for tuition and fees, room and board and books and supplies at East Tennessee State University, as well as a comprehensive four-year program of experiences and opportunities designed to challenge and inspire students to grow and develop as future leaders.
The Roan, which is funded primarily by private donations, was established in 1997 by Louis H. Gump. For more information, contact the Roan office at 423-439-7677 or RoanScholars@etsu.edu, or visit the Roan website at www.RoanScholars.org.