Yay, our public schools may have been dismissed for summer, but we’ve got lots of student accolades to share.
SMMHS Valedictorian / Salutatorian
First, congratulations to Logan Dapp and Lisa Lin as Valedictorian and Salutatorian, respectively, for Signal Mountain Middle High School! Dapp plans to study artificial intelligence and computer science at the University of Florida, and Lin will study chemical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where her brother, Jeffrey also attends. Dapp is also a semifinalist for the prestigious U.S. Presidential scholarship.
And, Lisa is recipient of the 2024 Student-Athlete Scholarship presented by the Tennessee Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Her application and essay advanced to regional competition, where she will be in the running for the NIAAA National Award.
Retiring Teachers
Thanks and best wishes to these teachers retiring from our Signal Mountain public schools: IB Spanish teacher Denise Stricklin from SMMHS; math teacher Sherry Johnston and music and movement teacher Lana Colvin from Nolan Elementary; RTI coordinator Raquel Newton, RTI interventionist Krista Torrance, school counselor Teresa Rollins and third grade teacher Mary Ferguson, all from Thrasher. We greatly appreciate your dedication to our students and schools!
Shout out to SMMHS student David Heinichen, who was named Tennessee Area 4 Special Olympics Athlete of the Year! He got to light the torch and say the Special Olympics oath at the track and field event at which several Signal students participated.
Bravo to junior Aoife Davis and senior Mark Nashi as the only two awardees from SMMHS in this year’s Young Southern Student Writers contest that is organized by Southern Literary Alliance and UTC.
Nolan News
Congratulations to Nolan’s student council members and kindness ambassadors on Nolan being named 2024 ASCA Student Council School of Excellence! As part of the application process, Nolan highlighted the leadership of its fifth grade student council members and kindness ambassadors by sharing about community service projects and how student leaders foster a culture of kindness within the school.
Thrasher News
Congrats to Addie Robison as the first official “Thrasher 33 Elevated” role model for kindergarten! This new program is an essential list of manners expected by all Thrasher Panthers. Her teacher, Emily Wheeler, said Addie is a complete delight and sets the bar high for being appropriate, safe, and kind.
SMMHS sixth-grader Eric Hutz is one of 25 runners-up in the national “Can You Find Mapman?” contest sponsored by Junior Scholastic magazine.
SMMHS Theatre Arts
Bravo to Claire Brillhart who was recognized as SMMHS Theatre’s Thespian of the Year!
Others recognized at the program’s Gnomie Awards that followed the Senior Scenes culminating IB project were Blake Buchheit as Best Actor, and Marlo McMillan as Best Actress.
Seniors who received Best Director awards were Mattie McCaffrey, gold; Rinn Laney, silver; Mason Audiss, bronze; and Alexa Quinn for fan favorite.
Other awards presented were: outstanding freshmen, Sam Clark and Darah Ford; outstanding sophomores, Kayla Tucker and Selma Nitschke; outstanding juniors, Cole Alegria and Brooklyn Buchheit; outstanding seniors, Mattie McCaffrey and Angie Taramona. A special “Not my Actual Student” award was also presented to Alexa Quinn since she isn’t an IB Theatre student.
Claire Brillhart and Haven Gee were among actresses and actresses selected from seven local high schools. Local winners will advance to the National High School Musical Theatre Awards® (aka the Jimmy Awards) in New York. Best of luck to Claire and Haven!
SMMHS Chorus Awards
Congrats to all the SMMHS students who earned chorus awards this year!
Sixth grade teacher awards were presented to Nathan Lopez and Chloe Oliver with academic achievement awards earned by Lily Vicknair and Tamsyn Galloway.
Seventh grade teacher awards were presented to Joe Bastone and Brooklyn Helle and academic achievement earned by Katie Beth Woodlief and Murphy Wood.
The eighth grade chorus award was presented to Milli Regrutto.
Underclassmen awards for concert choir were presented to Bella Vest and Clark Shadrick with the ensemble award presented to Reagan Ellis and Hudson Sveadas.
SMMHS Band Awards
Bravo to all SMMHS students who earned an award from the Band program.
Middle School students who received awards for most improved were:
Sixth grade: Patrick McGehee; Owen Stockburger; LaDondria Williams; Morgan Duffey; Charlotte Cabell; and Ben Dunlap. Seventh grade: William Caldwell; Piper Lawson; Jackson Warren; Lucy Stewart; Owen Laseter; Ava Kartanos. Eighth grade: James Hawkins; Presley Smith; Axel Apablaza; Avery LaPorte; Xander Stewart; Paul Corcoran. Middle School students who received awards for Outstanding Musician were: Sixth grade: Karen Davis; Sadie Cabell; Alexis Godden; Mary Katherine Row; Jack Becker; Caleb Conlon. Seventh grade: Mo Betro; Jack Fischer; Collin Cunningham; Ray Greeson; Audrey Cloud; William Kennedy. Eighth grade: Ben Sapp; Hudson Crowder; Rylan Yeagar; Mac McCallen; Jack Sutterfield; Grayson Rock.
Most Improved freshman was Lorraine Davis; sophomore was Reed Hampton; junior was Jackson Kennedy; and senior was Abby Smith. Outstanding freshman musician was Dylan Stone; sophomore was Emily Campbell; junior was Jason Sepulveda; and senior was Wesley Graybeal.
The AR Casavant Award was presented to marching drum majors Carter Livingood and Jennifer Schwartz. The Louis Armstrong Jazz Award was given to Finley Dodson. percussionist of the year was Carter Alley, and Vivian Miller earned the Above and Beyond Award. The Eagle Award was presented to Lee Greeson; Director’s Award for Band to Grey Robertson; National School Marching Award to Brenden Skinner; and the John Philip Sousa Award to Annelise Perez. Color Guard awards were presented to Kayla Tucker for excellence in rifle and Talley Blackman for excellence in flag. Lucy Morrison was CG Rookie of the Year, and the CG Member of the Year was Sara Johnson. The Indoor Winds Musician Award was presented to Brenden Skinner and the IW Member of the Year was Vivian Miller.
SMMHS Strings Awards
Bravo to these SMMHS students who received awards in the Strings program!
Sixth grade: outstanding musician, Cedar Gill; most improved, Erin McClendon; director’s award, Audrey Lubinkski. Seventh grade: outstanding musician, Klein Boyd; most improved, Russell Green; director’s award, Autumn Molenhouse. Eighth grade: outstanding musician, Adalyn Gee; most improved, Sidney Stephenson; director’s award, Lucy Morrison. High school: outstanding musician, Ben Marsden; most improved, Billy Wooden; director’s award, Sophia Chemin.
Reflections Art winners
Congratulations to Nolan second-grader Eliza Spear, whose ballet entry received a State Recognition Award of Merit in the annual PTSA Reflections Arts contest! She received a trophy at a state ceremony in Sevierville.
Other Nolan winners were: Visual Arts primary grades: first, Margot Smith; second, Caleb Faulkner; third, Alanna Walker Visual Arts intermediate grades: first, June Mackay; second, Waverly Smith; third, Mia Garcia-Rosell Literature Primary: first, Wrenn Wilson
Literature intermediate: first, Vivian Wyatt; second, Walker Wilson; third, Elizabeth Faulkner
Dance Choreography - Primary: first, Eliza Spear; second, Piper Setterlund
Photography - Intermediate: first - Anna Kate Zurawick; second, Vivian Wyatt.
SMMHS Middle School Athletics
Congratulations to our middle school softball team for being awarded Hamilton County District and area runner up! Callie Cooper, Berkley Roddy, Avery LaPorte, and Taylor Warren for named to the All-District team. Bravo to Signal’s middle school girls’ golf team, which was undefeated entering post-season play and ended its season as district champions! Violet Garney placed first; Maddy Odell second; and Grace Garney third. The boys’ golf team was also district champs with Luke Schleger placing first and Henry Beasley in second place. These teams also advanced to the Hamilton County Invitational District tournament, where Odell and Beasley placed first. Other medalists there were Violet Garney, Lily Garney, Schleger, and Paul Mahn.
SMMHS High School Athletics
Congratulations to Josh Thompson for being named as one of 12 top senior multi-sports players in Hamilton County! Josh was a dominant and comedic force on the football field and a double-digit rebounder and scorer on the basketball courts.
Congrats also to three Lady Eagles who were among the top 10 senior multi-sports female athletes for Hamilton County: Dilla Lowry, Emily Redman, and Ashlyn Rock!
Bravo to Signal wrestlers JoJo Uhorochuk, Ethan Uhorchuk, Jackson Davis, Luke Higdon for being named to the All-State team!
Kudos to senior Andrew Matukewicz and junior Carlee Lowry for their recognition by the Times Free Press Best of Preps program.
Congrats to Signal’s baseball team, whose amazing season saw them as district and regional champs, heading to State!
Five members earned a place on the 6-AAA All-District team: seniors Ben Timblin, Blake Wolfard, Barrett Anderson; junior Cash Keene; and sophomore Bo Cooper. Kudos to Timblin for also being named the district’s player of the year!
Kudos are also extended to May Collier and Sarah Corn for receiving all-district awards for softball. The team was still playing in a rain-delayed district tournament when this column was submitted.
Our boys’ soccer team was recognized as regular-season district champs and advanced to the regionals.
Congrats to the Lady Eagles’ girls’ tennis team, which had an 8-0 season in the district and clinched its third straight district championship and second straight regional title! They were traveling to Watertown for sectionals in mid-May.
Tennis Eagles who won at regionals were Cheyenne Cummings, Kate Gilbert, Addy Jones, Brooke Martin and Bindi Patel. Ananya Panicker was up in sets when her match was canceled due to rain and the team had already secured the win.
On the boys’ side, Payne Hurst and Joey Webb were doubles champs in the district tournament and advanced to regionals in mid May.
Congratulations to the Signal boys’ lacrosse team as district champions and its advancement to semi-finals in mid-May.
Signal’s track and field athletes were still blazing new personal records and adding victories on their way to State in late May.
Marlee Burkley won the sectional pentathlon in April, which automatically qualified her for the state competition and set a new school record doing it! Dillia Lowry and Ashlyn Rock finished sixth and eighth with a solid chance at getting an at-large bid to the state championship.
Liam Funk and DiAngelo Cisto competed in their first decathlon and scored some points at the sectional that will be added to the team’s state score.
Looking forward to seeing several Eagles soar to State this year!
SMMHS Valedictorian / Salutatorian
First, congratulations to Logan Dapp and Lisa Lin as Valedictorian and Salutatorian, respectively, for Signal Mountain Middle High School! Dapp plans to study artificial intelligence and computer science at the University of Florida, and Lin will study chemical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where her brother, Jeffrey also attends. Dapp is also a semifinalist for the prestigious U.S. Presidential scholarship.
And, Lisa is recipient of the 2024 Student-Athlete Scholarship presented by the Tennessee Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Her application and essay advanced to regional competition, where she will be in the running for the NIAAA National Award.
Retiring Teachers
Thanks and best wishes to these teachers retiring from our Signal Mountain public schools: IB Spanish teacher Denise Stricklin from SMMHS; math teacher Sherry Johnston and music and movement teacher Lana Colvin from Nolan Elementary; RTI coordinator Raquel Newton, RTI interventionist Krista Torrance, school counselor Teresa Rollins and third grade teacher Mary Ferguson, all from Thrasher. We greatly appreciate your dedication to our students and schools!
Shout out to SMMHS student David Heinichen, who was named Tennessee Area 4 Special Olympics Athlete of the Year! He got to light the torch and say the Special Olympics oath at the track and field event at which several Signal students participated.
Bravo to junior Aoife Davis and senior Mark Nashi as the only two awardees from SMMHS in this year’s Young Southern Student Writers contest that is organized by Southern Literary Alliance and UTC.
Nolan News
Congratulations to Nolan’s student council members and kindness ambassadors on Nolan being named 2024 ASCA Student Council School of Excellence! As part of the application process, Nolan highlighted the leadership of its fifth grade student council members and kindness ambassadors by sharing about community service projects and how student leaders foster a culture of kindness within the school.
Thrasher News
Congrats to Addie Robison as the first official “Thrasher 33 Elevated” role model for kindergarten! This new program is an essential list of manners expected by all Thrasher Panthers. Her teacher, Emily Wheeler, said Addie is a complete delight and sets the bar high for being appropriate, safe, and kind.
SMMHS sixth-grader Eric Hutz is one of 25 runners-up in the national “Can You Find Mapman?” contest sponsored by Junior Scholastic magazine.
SMMHS Theatre Arts
Bravo to Claire Brillhart who was recognized as SMMHS Theatre’s Thespian of the Year!
Others recognized at the program’s Gnomie Awards that followed the Senior Scenes culminating IB project were Blake Buchheit as Best Actor, and Marlo McMillan as Best Actress.
Seniors who received Best Director awards were Mattie McCaffrey, gold; Rinn Laney, silver; Mason Audiss, bronze; and Alexa Quinn for fan favorite.
Other awards presented were: outstanding freshmen, Sam Clark and Darah Ford; outstanding sophomores, Kayla Tucker and Selma Nitschke; outstanding juniors, Cole Alegria and Brooklyn Buchheit; outstanding seniors, Mattie McCaffrey and Angie Taramona. A special “Not my Actual Student” award was also presented to Alexa Quinn since she isn’t an IB Theatre student.
Claire Brillhart and Haven Gee were among actresses and actresses selected from seven local high schools. Local winners will advance to the National High School Musical Theatre Awards® (aka the Jimmy Awards) in New York. Best of luck to Claire and Haven!
SMMHS Chorus Awards
Congrats to all the SMMHS students who earned chorus awards this year!
Sixth grade teacher awards were presented to Nathan Lopez and Chloe Oliver with academic achievement awards earned by Lily Vicknair and Tamsyn Galloway.
Seventh grade teacher awards were presented to Joe Bastone and Brooklyn Helle and academic achievement earned by Katie Beth Woodlief and Murphy Wood.
The eighth grade chorus award was presented to Milli Regrutto.
Underclassmen awards for concert choir were presented to Bella Vest and Clark Shadrick with the ensemble award presented to Reagan Ellis and Hudson Sveadas.
SMMHS Band Awards
Bravo to all SMMHS students who earned an award from the Band program.
Middle School students who received awards for most improved were:
Sixth grade: Patrick McGehee; Owen Stockburger; LaDondria Williams; Morgan Duffey; Charlotte Cabell; and Ben Dunlap. Seventh grade: William Caldwell; Piper Lawson; Jackson Warren; Lucy Stewart; Owen Laseter; Ava Kartanos. Eighth grade: James Hawkins; Presley Smith; Axel Apablaza; Avery LaPorte; Xander Stewart; Paul Corcoran. Middle School students who received awards for Outstanding Musician were: Sixth grade: Karen Davis; Sadie Cabell; Alexis Godden; Mary Katherine Row; Jack Becker; Caleb Conlon. Seventh grade: Mo Betro; Jack Fischer; Collin Cunningham; Ray Greeson; Audrey Cloud; William Kennedy. Eighth grade: Ben Sapp; Hudson Crowder; Rylan Yeagar; Mac McCallen; Jack Sutterfield; Grayson Rock.
Most Improved freshman was Lorraine Davis; sophomore was Reed Hampton; junior was Jackson Kennedy; and senior was Abby Smith. Outstanding freshman musician was Dylan Stone; sophomore was Emily Campbell; junior was Jason Sepulveda; and senior was Wesley Graybeal.
The AR Casavant Award was presented to marching drum majors Carter Livingood and Jennifer Schwartz. The Louis Armstrong Jazz Award was given to Finley Dodson. percussionist of the year was Carter Alley, and Vivian Miller earned the Above and Beyond Award. The Eagle Award was presented to Lee Greeson; Director’s Award for Band to Grey Robertson; National School Marching Award to Brenden Skinner; and the John Philip Sousa Award to Annelise Perez. Color Guard awards were presented to Kayla Tucker for excellence in rifle and Talley Blackman for excellence in flag. Lucy Morrison was CG Rookie of the Year, and the CG Member of the Year was Sara Johnson. The Indoor Winds Musician Award was presented to Brenden Skinner and the IW Member of the Year was Vivian Miller.
SMMHS Strings Awards
Bravo to these SMMHS students who received awards in the Strings program!
Sixth grade: outstanding musician, Cedar Gill; most improved, Erin McClendon; director’s award, Audrey Lubinkski. Seventh grade: outstanding musician, Klein Boyd; most improved, Russell Green; director’s award, Autumn Molenhouse. Eighth grade: outstanding musician, Adalyn Gee; most improved, Sidney Stephenson; director’s award, Lucy Morrison. High school: outstanding musician, Ben Marsden; most improved, Billy Wooden; director’s award, Sophia Chemin.
Reflections Art winners
Congratulations to Nolan second-grader Eliza Spear, whose ballet entry received a State Recognition Award of Merit in the annual PTSA Reflections Arts contest! She received a trophy at a state ceremony in Sevierville.
Other Nolan winners were: Visual Arts primary grades: first, Margot Smith; second, Caleb Faulkner; third, Alanna Walker Visual Arts intermediate grades: first, June Mackay; second, Waverly Smith; third, Mia Garcia-Rosell Literature Primary: first, Wrenn Wilson
Literature intermediate: first, Vivian Wyatt; second, Walker Wilson; third, Elizabeth Faulkner
Dance Choreography - Primary: first, Eliza Spear; second, Piper Setterlund
Photography - Intermediate: first - Anna Kate Zurawick; second, Vivian Wyatt.
SMMHS Middle School Athletics
Congratulations to our middle school softball team for being awarded Hamilton County District and area runner up! Callie Cooper, Berkley Roddy, Avery LaPorte, and Taylor Warren for named to the All-District team. Bravo to Signal’s middle school girls’ golf team, which was undefeated entering post-season play and ended its season as district champions! Violet Garney placed first; Maddy Odell second; and Grace Garney third. The boys’ golf team was also district champs with Luke Schleger placing first and Henry Beasley in second place. These teams also advanced to the Hamilton County Invitational District tournament, where Odell and Beasley placed first. Other medalists there were Violet Garney, Lily Garney, Schleger, and Paul Mahn.
SMMHS High School Athletics
Congratulations to Josh Thompson for being named as one of 12 top senior multi-sports players in Hamilton County! Josh was a dominant and comedic force on the football field and a double-digit rebounder and scorer on the basketball courts.
Congrats also to three Lady Eagles who were among the top 10 senior multi-sports female athletes for Hamilton County: Dilla Lowry, Emily Redman, and Ashlyn Rock!
Bravo to Signal wrestlers JoJo Uhorochuk, Ethan Uhorchuk, Jackson Davis, Luke Higdon for being named to the All-State team!
Kudos to senior Andrew Matukewicz and junior Carlee Lowry for their recognition by the Times Free Press Best of Preps program.
Congrats to Signal’s baseball team, whose amazing season saw them as district and regional champs, heading to State!
Five members earned a place on the 6-AAA All-District team: seniors Ben Timblin, Blake Wolfard, Barrett Anderson; junior Cash Keene; and sophomore Bo Cooper. Kudos to Timblin for also being named the district’s player of the year!
Kudos are also extended to May Collier and Sarah Corn for receiving all-district awards for softball. The team was still playing in a rain-delayed district tournament when this column was submitted.
Our boys’ soccer team was recognized as regular-season district champs and advanced to the regionals.
Congrats to the Lady Eagles’ girls’ tennis team, which had an 8-0 season in the district and clinched its third straight district championship and second straight regional title! They were traveling to Watertown for sectionals in mid-May.
Tennis Eagles who won at regionals were Cheyenne Cummings, Kate Gilbert, Addy Jones, Brooke Martin and Bindi Patel. Ananya Panicker was up in sets when her match was canceled due to rain and the team had already secured the win.
On the boys’ side, Payne Hurst and Joey Webb were doubles champs in the district tournament and advanced to regionals in mid May.
Congratulations to the Signal boys’ lacrosse team as district champions and its advancement to semi-finals in mid-May.
Signal’s track and field athletes were still blazing new personal records and adding victories on their way to State in late May.
Marlee Burkley won the sectional pentathlon in April, which automatically qualified her for the state competition and set a new school record doing it! Dillia Lowry and Ashlyn Rock finished sixth and eighth with a solid chance at getting an at-large bid to the state championship.
Liam Funk and DiAngelo Cisto competed in their first decathlon and scored some points at the sectional that will be added to the team’s state score.
Looking forward to seeing several Eagles soar to State this year!
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