The conference began at 9:00 a.m. with a welcome from the school’s principal, Ms. Judy Pickering and Assistant Principal, Arrin Alaniz. The conference opening featured 4^th grade teachers who performed the conference theme song “I Have A Say.”

Following the opening, Ms. Pickering introduced guest speakers Brianna Bass, Lady Vol basketball player with the University of Tennessee  and Inky Johnson, former football player with the University of Tennessee.

Inky was the first to speak and began by telling students that “the greatest thing about life is that every day you have a choice. Your attitude and belief in yourself are in your control. The key question is – what are you doing to help others?” Inky shared about his life as he grew up in Atlanta, GA with 14 brothers and sisters in a two bedroom, 1 bath home. He chose his career goal at the early age of 7 when he decided that he wanted to play in the NFL. He told the students how his mother would take him to the park after dark to practice and shine her car lights on the field so that he would have enough light to run agility drills and practice running. He continued to practice hard and excelled at football by putting his heart, soul, sweat, spirit and tears into it because he wanted his family to have a better life.

Inky attended Crim High School in Atlanta which was considered to be so “rough” that it was nicknamed “Crime High School. “ After his freshman year, his parents decided to transfer him to a school across town called Tucker High School where he would be guaranteed a scholarship to attend the University of Georgia. He went but begged his parents to let him return to Crim to complete high school. When they asked him why he wanted to return and give up the chance to attend the University of Georgia, he responded that he knew “ there were people in his neighborhood who were looking to him for a dose of inspiration and hope.” He suffered several injuries in high school but advised students not to “let the potholes and roadblocks in life stop them.”

After graduating high school, Inky attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where he continued to work hard and was on track to achieve his dream of going into the NFL. However, during a game against Air Force,with two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Inky made a tackle that ended his career. He vividly recalled the moment he went down and experiencing sensations he had never felt before. Teammates were urging him to “get up” but he couldn’t and he described how that felt. He underwent emergency surgery at UT Medical Center and lost the use of his right arm that remains paralyzed. He has had to re-learn how to do everything with his left arm because his right arm was dominant. Coach Phil Fulmer, along with friends and family, encouraged Inky to return to UT to complete his degree which he did and even went on to earn his Master’s Degree.

Inky told the audience that, “the work you put into life will follow you everywhere. With hard work, perseverance and faith you can do anything!”

Brianna Bass is a senior at UT Knoxville and member of the Lady Vols basketball team. Brianna was expecting to graduate the following week and would be a first generation college graduate in her family. She plans to return home to Indiana where she will attend grad school to work on her Master’s.

Brianna began with telling the students how tall she was (5’2”) and that most people discourage someone of her height from playing basketball, however she beat the odds. In second grade, she began playing basketball and her father would wake her up every morning at 6:00 a.m. to run and do basketball drills. Her message to students was “don’t let anything keep you down or hold you back from achieving your mission.” She suffered several injuries throughout her career (torn ACL twice, broken nose, and numerous other injuries) and encouraged students not to “take anything for granted and to take academics very seriously!” Brianna has been a star student at UT  both on and off the basketball court. She has volunteered her time with numerous charities throughout her tenure as a Lady Vol.

Both Inky and Brianna were dynamic as they spoke to the students and shared life stories so compelling that the kids were mesmerized and hanging on every word.

Following the speakers, students moved into breakout sessions. The first session was: “Speakers’ Road to Success” where discussion centered on what they learned from the speakers about the success they have experienced. The second session was: “Navigate your OWN Road to Success.” To say students enjoyed this mini-conference is an understatement. They were very involved and became so engrossed in the discussion that time slipped away. After the last session students returned to the gym where they participated in singing the theme song and received a conference goody bag when dismissed.

Thank you Leadership Knoxville for all that you did to provide such a wonderful conference experience to the 4^th grade students at Spring Hill elementary.

Contributions were made to this story by Angie Hamstead.

Following dinner, a video was shown that highlighted “Teachers of the Year.” this video was created by staff members Kelly Headrick and Michelle McArthur (School Climate Coaches). The video was reflective of teachers who were nominated by their peers for “Teacher of the Year” in Knox County Schools. As the video played, teachers in the audience clapped for their peers as GRAD scholars also expressed their appreciation.

Scholars who spoke to the audience and shared their reflections were Jessica Tarver (Class of 2012, Fulton High School) and Cordy Cox (Class of 2012, Austin-East high School), Jessica reflected on her high school experience and GRAD experience. She shared that by attending the Summer Institutes she made up her mind about attending college and decided to pursue a major in journalism. Cordy Cox reflected on his school years as he thanked those who had helped him in elementary, middle and high school. He also thanked his parents, members of Knox County Schools, Project GRAD Knoxville staff and the Project GRAD Knoxville Board of Directors. Cordy also shared his Summer Institute experiences as he talked about rising early to attend classes and how much the Institutes helped to prepare him for college. Cordy plans to attend college and major in mathematics.

PGK College Graduates didn’t speak this year but those in attendance were recognized. During the recognition, a special video was played that pictured several graduates in their cap and gown. The video also included testimonials from parents and students who have been impacted by Project GRAD. The video was powerful as the audience heard from parents and students about their experience with Project GRAD and all of the support they receive from College Support Coach Ms. Annette Long.

This year’s “Caught Doing Right For Kids” Award was given to an outstanding educator and longtime community member who is very deserving of the honor. Reverend Dr. Montina B. Jones was named the award winner and received a standing ovation as she made her way to the stage accompanied by her husband to receive the award. As Dr. Jones received this award, she spoke to the audience and shared some of her life story as she told scholars about her parents not having the money to send her to college and their disappointment. Dr. Jones persevered and paid her way thru college by working and going to school and has now earned her Ph.D. Dr. Montina Jones is Senior Advisor for High Needs Schools for Knox County Schools and began working within the school system as a Math and Science teacher at Beardsley Middle School, a teacher a Eastport Elementary, Assistant Principal at South Doyle Middle School, Assistant Principal at Austin-East High School and Principal at Vine Middle Magnet School before being promoted to Central Office in 2003 as Director of Urban Schools. Dr. Jones has received awards in education and for community service. She serves as a Board member for Project GRAD Knoxville, Emerald Youth Foundation, Knox Area Urban League and KCDC. Congratulations Reverend Dr. Montina B. Jones – you have been “Caught Doing Right For Kids.”

It was an honor to have Ms. Betty Jo Hamilton as the mace bearer for the Scholars Procession this year. She was very proud and thoroughly enjoyed leading the Scholars thru the ballroom to receive their medallion and certificate. Ms. Hamilton has been a teacher with the Knox County School system for 56 years.

The program closed with a special spoken word selection performed by Mrs. Rhea Carmon (Teacher, Austin-East High School) aka “Rhea Sunshine.” The selection performed by Rhea was written by her exclusively for this year’s Scholars and she told them “It’s Your Time!”

One hundred forty two (142) Scholars of the Class of 2012 have earned the Project GRAD Scholarship. Congratulations Scholars!

Thank you to everyone who helped to make this year’s dinner a success.

MEDIA COVERAGE

WBIR – http://www.wbir.com/news/article/217487/2/College-bound-Project-GRADs-receive-scholarships

The Flash Mob will be held on Saturday, May5th at Victor Ashe Park and Holston-Chilhowee Park(12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.)

For more information about the “Lets Move” event in Knoxville, please visit the Knox County Schools website – Coordinated Schools Health Office or the website http://www.letsmove.gov/

Program highlights: Ms. Greene received royal treatment as she was escorted by members of the Royal Court, Prince Mekhi Stewart and Princess TaDasia Montgomery. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by King of SMGMTA DeKeys Tate and Queen of SMGMTA Marissa Taylor; the SMGMTA Jubilee Choir performed three selections; and Bill Williams (Anchor Emeritus WBIR) served as the Master of Ceremony. Ms. Linda Hill composed and narrated a Historic Reflective Narrative with students from Sarah Moore Greene and fifth grade honors student (Daniel Sutton) from Beaumont dedicated a solo to Ms. Greene.

The program was very special as everyone in attendance celebrated Ms. Greene’s 102^nd birthday!

A few pictures from the event

For more information, please call 525-4030.

At South Knox elementary, students were also observing Black History Month. Students explored leaders and researched different people. Students made a presentation on the leader they researched to different classes in the building.

Summarized list of College and Career Activities by school

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