Education

Carina Vazquez Nunez, a recent Motlow State graduate from Shelbyville, sees the world differently from most Motlow students. She is the daughter of immigrant parents from Mexico. “I have been blessed to view life through the lens of a minority immigrant family,” said Nunez. ...

Bedford County Board of Education is expected to address several school issues when it meets in regular session 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Central Office. Though East Side cafeteria is quiet at this time, it will only be a few weeks before students are again filling the lunch line. Student meals remain free this year to Bedford County students.

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) has named Dr. Michael Torrence, president of Motlow State Community College, to its Presidential Advisory Board. Torrence joins 38 other college presidents from across the nation on the board and will provide input into the organization’s strategic plan, priorities, and direction. ...

Now that Gov. Bill Lee has signed into law a bill requiring high school graduates pass a civics exit exam, Tennessee should have greater assurance its students will be able to answer historically significant questions -- like, "Who wrote the U.S. Declaration of Independence?...

While allowing students to bring personal cell phones and other electronic devices to school currently remains a privilege, Bedford County Board of Education recently attached a stronger usage policy. The same policy, which in previous years has required a couple of pages, was condensed into one, as approved by BCBE at its May meeting. The document was a complete re-write, said superintendent Don Embry...

Anna Brown of Cascade High School and Kera Reynolds of Community High School joined more than 185 students, teachers and co-op chaperones for a week-long trip to our nation's capital. The annual event, sponsored by the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association and the state's 23 electric co-ops, provides young leaders with an opportunity to explore the nation's capital, learn about government and cooperatives and develop their leadership skills. ...

School won't start for another month, but the time to Stuff The School Bus has arrived. United Way of Bedford County is placing collection boxes at various local businesses and organizations this week for its annual Stuff The School Bus campaign. Either school supplies or money are accepted. Money can be used to buy backpacks, a more-expensive item which isn't donated very often and which United Way, due to its status as a non-profit, can purchase more cheaply than individual consumers...

Sharon Kay Edwards and Paige Hendrickson are branch librarians at Motlow State's McMinnville and Smyrna campuses respectively. While they provide critical service and support daily to patrons who need to access information through the library, they also have become literary advocates who are leaders in moving Tennessee forward in library awareness with elected officials and state organizations...

Gov. Bill Lee, during a meet-and-greet in Shelbyville on Friday, said he was trying to fulfill his campaign promise of good schools, good jobs and safe neighborhoods. Lee made a swing through Southern Middle Tennessee, with meet-and-greet events in Lewisburg, Shelbyville, Fayetteville, Pulaski and Lawrenceburg. In Shelbyville, he was joined by State Sen. Shane Reeves and State Rep. Pat Marsh...

Bedford County Board of Education extended superintendent Don Embry's contract another four years Tuesday night, despite some members expressing beforehand they did not feel they had substantial time to discuss the state-required document in depth...

Arcadia Publishing and The History Press have released "The Webb School of Bell Buckle," by Susan Coop Howell and Hannah Byrd Little, a photo book telling the story of the private prep school through hundereds of black-and-white photographs and documents...

On May 4, Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville celebrated its 118th Commencement Convocation. The University conferred more than 1,140 degrees during the Saturday morning ceremony. Local graduates include: l Colleen Beth Bradford of Wartrace, who earned a Master of Business Administration...

On June 14, the Bedford County FFA of Shelbyville Central High School traveled to Middle Tennessee State University to compete in the Middle Tennessee FFA Dairy Cattle Evaluation CDE and the Middle Tennessee FFA Dairy Handling Invitational Event. The Dairy Cattle Evaluation team placed seventh in the Middle Tennessee Region. The team members were Ian Alcox, Nick Moore, Dorothy Brandon and Nancy Diaz. Allison Davis participated in the Middle Tennessee FFA Dairy Handling Invitational that took place during the Dairy Judging event. Allison placed second in the event and will take part in the Tennessee FFA Dairy Handling Event to be held in September at the Tennessee State Fair. From left are Diaz, Davis, Moore, Brandon and Alcox.

Makenzie Thomas is part of the Read to be Ready summer camp being held at East Side School for rising third graders. She has attended several tours with other campers, including a visit to the Bedford County courthouse. Learn more about the program in today’s Honor Roll section.

This year's theme for the Read to be Ready program, which continues through June 20 at East Side Elementary, is "Building a Community of Thinkers." Books recently purchased for this three-week program allow rising third graders to ponder such thinking topics as, "What if you woke up one morning and your eyes weren't yours? That was a question recently explored when students were read the book by Sandra Markle called, "What If You Had Animal Eyes?"...

Principal's List Fifth Grade Ella R. Allen, Laura J. Bennett, Christina M. Bilbro, Kaydence B. Bynum, Caroline L. Cook, Robert A. Cook, Matthew K. Crosslin, Alayna H. Cruse, Allison G. Farris, Georgia R. Frazier, Trenton A. Giel, Jayden R. Hathcock, Daniela L. Jara, James D. Jennings, Tanner W. Johnson, Tucker G. Johnson, Adelyn E. Jones, Anthony H. Mercer, Wyatt J. Petelle, Chere' N. Potts, Caleb M. Smith, Henry G. Stone, Taylor C. Swain, Tristan L. Whitley, Dixie A. Wright, Kaegan L. Young...

The Webb School in Bell Buckle recently announced its A and B honor rolls for the fourth quarter of the 2018-2019 school year. An independent college preparatory day/boarding school for grades 6-12, The Webb School is the oldest continuously operating school of its kind in the South. The school has a dual emphasis on academic excellence and character development...

At a meeting Wednesday, local leaders put forth a case for the state to build a new $35-40 million dollar campus for Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville to be built at the 231 North Business Park. The new campus, if and when it's completed, would completely replace the existing TCAT site on Madison Street. But it might have to be built in phases, depending on how much the state is willing to commit and whether other funding, such as grants, can be obtained...

On June 3, the Bedford County FFA Chapter of Shelbyville Central High School traveled to Doyle to attend State FFA Leadership Camp at Camp Clements. The members were able to take leadership classes, set goals for the chapter and themselves, compete in sporting events, swim, canoe, boating, compete in quiz contests, and meet many different FFA members from around the state...

On June 7-8, the Bedford County FFA Chapter of Shelbyville Central High School traveled to Doyle to compete in the Tennessee State FFA Forestry CDE held at Camp Clements. Brett Harden, Haley Henson, Emily Crabtree, and Cali Mason represented the chapter in the State Forestry CDE. ...

On June 7-8, the Bedford County FFA Chapter of Shelbyville Central High School traveled to Doyle to compete in the Tennessee State FFA Environmental and Natural Resources CDE and the Tennessee State FFA Agronomy CDE held at Camp Clements. Nancy Diaz, Dorothy Brandon, Ian Alcox, and Elizabeth Atonsa represented the chapter in the State Environmental and Natural Resources CDE. ...

Harris Middle School principal Neil Watson recently shared some vital demographics about his facility, which he said show a strong growth trend in student population, with Bedford County Board of Education,. That current population includes nearly 300 eighth graders, which is comparable to Shelbyville Central High School's recent graduating class size. Seventh grade is at 350 and sixth at 360 plus, he said...

Gabe Davidson of Shelbyville received a white coat at the Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM) White Coat Ceremony in Harrogate, Tennessee, on April 18. Davidson is a rising third-year osteopathic medical student at LMU-DCOM. Prior to enrolling at LMU-DCOM, Davidson attended Middle Tennessee State University...

The Shonta’ Whorley Lamb Memorial Softball Scholarship is presented each year to a Shelbyville Central High School senior softball player who is continuing the sport into college. This year’s scholarship winner is Taylor Sanders, right, who is planning to continue her game at Western Kentucky University. Presenting Sanders the scholarship is Lynna Miller, sister of Shonta’ Lamb.

"I feel very good about what I'm recommending for the budget next year," school superintendent Don Embry told Bedford County Board of Education on Thursday. "We're in good shape. We don't have all kinds of extra money; tighter this year. We've seen tight years. But we're not in bad shape at all."...

Grant Countess, sophomore accounting and leadership and ministry major from Shelbyville, is among more than 1,200 Harding University students included on the dean's list for grades achieved during the spring 2019 semester. The dean's list is published each semester by Dr. Marty Spears, University provost, honoring those who have achieved high scholarship. To be eligible, a student must be carrying 12 or more hours with a 3.65 or higher grade-point average and no incompletes...

Motlow State Community College President Michael Torrence was recently selected as a member of the Berkeley College Online Advisory Board. The selection is the latest in a growing list of significant national recognition of Torrence's leadership and expertise in using technology to enhance student success...

Recent retiree Jackie Yoes says in total, she’s worked on concrete for 54 years. She was recently acknowledged by Bedford County Board of Education for having served 41 of those years in the East Side Elementary School cafeteria. A retirement ceremony was held by BCBE recently for Yoes and 21 other retiring employees. A special going-away shower was also given in her honor by East Side co-workers prior to her departure last week...

The Summer Feed program, sponsored by Bedford County School System, is aimed at preventing local children from going hungry during the summer. “We do have students whose only meals they get are the ones they have at school,” said Julie Elliott, supervisor of Bedford County School System’s summer programs...

Anna Allison, front row left, of Bell Buckle, led a group of high school students in a protest Friday at the Legislative Plaza in downtown Nashville. The protest was directed at U.S. warfare in the Middle East. Allison is a junior at The Webb School. Her mother, Nicole Allison, said that the protestors respectfully waited until after a veterans memorial service, with Gov. Bill Lee as one of the participants, ended before starting their own protest. (Submitted photo)

Shelbyville Police Benevolent Association has announced its scholarship winners. At Cascade, Sydney Alexis Holt is the honoree. From left are Shelbyville Police Chief Jan Phillips of SPBA; Holt; Major Pat Mathis of SPBA; and Officer Chris Vest of the SPBA board. At Community, AudreyAna Rosa Ragland was the scholarship winner. From left are Officer Chris Vest of the SPBA board; Deputy Chief Brian Crews of SPBA; Ragland; and Chief Jan Phillips of SPBA.

It was a pretty quiet morning Thursday at Learning Way Elementary as students picked up last-minute items from teachers. Learning Way physical education teacher Allyse Cooper with the huge lost and found table with coats and jackets from the school year for students to pick up. Josiah Reed, 8, and brother Paxton Reed, 5, who will begin kindergarten this fall at Learning Way, and sister Sophia Reed, a Shelbyville Central High School student, admire Josiah’s report card.

Haleigh Elizabeth Brooks, a senior political science and history major from Shelbyville, has made the President's List for the Spring 2019 semester at Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina. The President's List is composed of students who earn a 4.0 grade point average...

The Simmons Team, real estate agents with Heritage Realty Group, held a contest during Teacher Appreciation Week. Over 200 votes were submitted for favorite teachers in Bedford and surrounding counties. The winner of the drawing and a Lowe’s gift card was Cascade Special Education teacher Susan Stone, seen here with Carrie Brooke Simmons, left, and Jimmy Simmons.

Bedford County Board of Education held an appreciation reception Tuesday night at Harris Middle School for 22 retiring employees who have a total 469 years of combined service benefitting local students. Jan Hall, system instructional coach, topped service times with 44 years. Connie Boutwell, federal programs supervisor, followed close with 43...

Ruth Smith of Shelbyville, a projected member of The Webb School's class of 2021, was selected to receive the third Johnson-Fort Memorial Travel Scholarship from a fund endowed by John F. "Jeff" Whorley, a member of the class of 1979. In naming the award, Whorley chose to honor two of his teachers, Alsey Johnson and Joyce Fort, whose impact inspired him...

Jessica Osterhaus has been named the 2019 June Dairy Month Chairman for Bedford County. Osterhaus will be honored Thursday at the Tennessee June Dairy Month Kickoff Event at Battle Mountain Farm in College Grove. The event includes recognition from Celeste Blackburn, president of the American Dairy Association of Tennessee...

Each year Cascade Middle School’s eighth grade students participate in a self-selected inquiry project. These projects are displayed at the school’s Research Fair. The top scorer’s move on to compete in the regional science fair. The following Cascade Middle School and Cascade High School students participated in the Middle Tennessee Science and Engineering Fair at Belmont University. From left: Blake Olive, Cole West, Isaiah Smith, Audrey Perry, and Mikey Lucich. Olive placed third in eighth grade and Perry placed third in high school Engineering.

As Learning Way Elementary students pick up their final report cards today, most are probably thinking of fun stuff, rather than the construction about to begin at their school. Bedford County Board of Education members talked about it and shouldered the concern at the board’s regular monthly meeting Tuesday night at Harris Middle School. Over $1 million in school funds, already placed in a restricted account, will need to be spent to complete this new project...

A grand celebration was held at Cascade Elementary last week when it was announced that students read over 36,000 books this school year through the Accelerated Reading program. Amidst the confetti, signs read: “Readers are Leaders!” This is the newest slogan for the reading program...

Readers of all ages will explore all things space this summer as Shelbyville-Bedford County Public Library presents “A Universe of Stories” during its summer reading program. Activities will include a trip to Mars, meeting a Solar System Ambassador, hands-on activities, space-related crafts, art projects, science and engineering experiments, and more...

Columbia State Community College has announced 553 students named to the dean’s list for earning academic honors during the spring semester. Local students include Abigail Stroud, Savana Tucker and Carlee Ward, all of Shelbyville. “We are so proud of the students who made dean’s list this semester,” said Dr. Mary Lou D’Allegro, Columbia State vice president for academic affairs. “The academic talent and perseverance of these students are remarkable.”...

More than 100 Columbia State Community College students were recently honored for excellence in academics, leadership and service at the 53rd Annual Student Honors Convocation. Savana Tucker of Bell Buckle received the Academic Disipline Award in philosophy and was recognized for her efforts as a peer leader. (Submitted photo)

Community High School held a signing day ceremony for its most recent military recruits, similar to the ceremonies held when an athlete signs with a college. “I believe the true heroes that protect this great country deserve a signing day and recognition,” said Chris Grooms, Community’s head football coach. Front row, from left: Tyler McBride, son of Crystal McBride and Mike McBride, signed a four-year commitment to serve in the infantry of the U.S. Marine Corps; Jayden Moody, son of Chrissy and Greg Conway, signed a four-year commitment to serve in the U.S. Army as an airborne infantry ranger; Nathan Derting, son of Wendy Derting, signed a four-year commitment to serve in the U.S. Army in satellite communications; and Zac Monroe, son of Debbie Monroe and Mike Monroe, signed a four-year commitment to serve in the U.S. Navy in aviation ordnance. Back row: Luke Bowling of Community, Mike Martin of the U.S. Navy, Staff Sgt. Lloyd of the U.S. Army (first name unavailable), and Grooms. (Submitted photo)

Chase Clanton of Shelbyville has accepted an offer of lifetime membership in The National Society of Collegiate Scholars, the nation’s preeminent certified honor society for high-achieving first-and-second year college students. “NSCS is more than just a symbol of academic achievement; it is a distinction of honor,” said Stephen S. ...

With a large smile, Shelbyville Central High School senior Sarahi Rincon Molina said she's very proud to be her school's first Hispanic-American valedictorian. The 18-year-old is articulate, charming and her Latino heritage is evident. But it was her 101.5 scholastic average which earned her the coveted title for the graduating class of 2019...