NORTH / EAST VOL. 2 NO. 23
IN THIS ISSUE
Civil rights leader to visit The city of Knoxville will continue its celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with two events on June 19, the date celebrated nationwide as Juneteenth in recognition of the end of the Civil War and the abolition of slavery. The Rev. C.T. Vivian, a C.T. Vivian veteran of the civil-rights movement and a friend of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., will lead a “Mass Meeting” at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 19, at Payne Avenue Baptist Church, 2714 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
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Hilltop Cruisers hold cruise-in Vintage vehicles blanketed the parking lot of Indulge Lounge (formerly Phatz Sports Bar) on Magnolia at Prosser Road when the Hilltop Cruisers held its biannual cruise-in on May 31.
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100 Black Men honor role models By Patricia Williams Seven young men each received a $1,500 scholarship for their continued participation with the 100 Black Men of Knoxville (100 BMK) mentoring program at the group’s 19th annual gala. These young men started as mentees while in 4th or 5th grade and are now in their first year of post-secondary education at various universities and institutions across the state. They are twin brothers Barrack and Parrel Appolis, Jawon Dickey, Dennis Troutman, Charlie LeGreAir, Dejon McGill and Devin Springs. “We have a 95 percent highschool graduation rate,” said Eston Williams, vice president, who has been a member of 100 BMK for 13 years, “and these young men are good examples of that.” The scholarship is given upon their first year of college and will continue each year they are in college and maintain at least a 2.5 grade-point average. Members of 100 BMK adopt the boys when they are around 10 years old by recommendations from schools and other organizations. As mentees, they get a net-
Roberts signs with Ravens as free agent Austin-East High School football standout David “D.J.” Roberts has signed a threeyear contract with the Baltimore Ravens as a free agent after attending the Ravens’ rookie minicamp. He will be a linebacker wearing jersey No. 49. “This has been his dream since he was 7,” said his mother, Roberta Douglas Roberts. “I worked a lot of extra jobs to get him in programs and things he wanted to do. D.J. started out playing football with the Baby Roadrunners and has played every year since,” said Douglas Roberts. D.J. is a 2009 graduate of Austin-East and is one class away from obtaining his bachelor’s degree in health and human performance at UTMartin, he said. “This is a great opportunity for a kid from East Knoxville. I’m going to make the most out of it, enjoy it and make my hometown proud.” – Patricia Williams
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Honorees with member John Wright are Terry Brown, Anthony Hancock, Wright, Todd Kelley and Bruce Wilkerson. Not pictured are Gloria Deathridge and Kelsey Finch. Photos by Patricia Williams work of support from members of the group that includes monthly group meetings, one-on-one tutoring when needed and visits to their classrooms. They are also taken on field trips to college campuses, attend educational activities, participate in local parades with the 100 BMK and volunteer with various projects. One of their trips last year was to Arnold Air Force Base in Huntsville, Ala., and they help deliver baskets for the Empty Stocking
Fund every year. The gala is a major fundraising effort of the 100 BMK that includes awards and acknowledgements of mentees and guests. The theme for this year’s gala was “What They See Is What They’ll Be,” which honored past sports figures of the University of Tennessee who went forward with their careers and now live in the Knoxville area. “The athletes featured in our gala made an impact through their athletic feats and service in their
communities,” said Andre Canty, president of 100 BMK. “They are examples that greatness can be achieved during and after the game.” The civic honorees were: Terry Brown, who was keynote speaker for the gala; Todd Kelley, who was master of ceremonies; Gloria Deathridge (who was not in attendance); Bruce Wilkerson; Kelsey Finch; and Anthony Hancock. Additional photo on page 3
New principals for area schools
Read Patricia Williams on page 3
NEIGHBORHOOD BUZZ
June 11, 2014
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By Sandra Clark
Dr. Chad Smith is the new principal at Carter Middle School, replacing Michael Derrick, who is relocating to a new state and job. Smith has been an assistant principal at Carter High School since 2011. He joined KCS in 2001 as a Chad Smith teacher at SouthDoyle High School. Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration, a master’s in curriculum and instruction and an education specialist degree in administration and supervision, all from Tennessee Tech. His doctorate of educational leadership was conferred by Trevecca University. Tiffany Watkins is the new principal at Fair Garden Family Community Center. Watkins is a graduate of the Leadership Acad-
emy in the class of 2013. She joined Knox County Schools in 1995, teaching at Ball Camp Elementary. She also taught first grade at Hardin Valley Elementary and has been a mentor for Knox County Schools. Watkins most recently was an assistant principal at Adrian Burnett ElT. Watkins ementary School. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s in curriculum and instruction, both from UT. Kristi Woods is the new principal at East Knox County Elementary School. Woods is a graduate of the Leadership Academy in the class of 2012. She most recently was an assistant principal at Beaumont Magnet Honors Academy. Woods began her career as a teacher in Middle Tennessee. She joined Knox County Schools in 2002 as a teacher at East Knox
County Elementary School. She also served as an instructional coach and as an assistant principal at East Knox County Elementary prior to attending the Principal Leadership Academy in 2011. She holds a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science education Kristi Woods from Tennessee Wesleyan College, a master’s in administration and supervision from Middle Tennessee State University and an education specialist degree in educational leadership from the University of Tennessee. Susan Espiritu is the new principal at Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Technology Academy. She has led a successful program at Pond Gap Elementary School since 2004. Pond Gap set the pace in both TAP and community schools. Espiritu has taught at Belle
Morris, Spring Hill, Beaumont and Gibbs elementary schools and Northwest Middle School. She was a curriculum and instruction facilitator at West View Elementary School and entered school administration when she was appointed an assistant principal at Susan Espiritu Karns Elementary School in 2003. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in administration, both from UT. She also holds an education specialist degree in administration and supervision from Lincoln Memorial University. Also, Tanna Nicely is the new principal at South Knox Elementary, replacing Muncie CooperHarbin, who retired. She previously was an assistant principal at Sarah Moore Green Magnet Technology Academy.
South-Doyle program is last Ag Ed standing By Betty Bean The Agricultural Education program at South-Doyle High School is the last remaining such program in Knox County following the elimination of the program at North Knox Vocational Center on the campus of Halls High School. North Knox teacher Mike Blankenship, who began teaching at Doyle High School in 1978, was told his position was eliminated because of low enrollment, even though students say school counselors advised them not to sign up because the program was being cut. North Knox also lost its Child Development program. Don Lawson, supervisor of Career Technical Education (CTE), said there had been four such programs in Knox County but those at Farragut High and Byington-Sol-
James Dunn, a senior at Gibbs High School and president of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter, recited a partial list of the honors the club won under Blankenship’s guidance. “We will no longer be able to compete in career-development events,” he said. “We as a class and a chapter are very disappointed. This closure will take away many opportunities.” James Dunn and Ryan Cox, wearing What Dunn didn’t say that their FFA gear, prepare to address night is that one of the lost opporthe school board. Photo by S. Clark tunities could be his chance to go to college. “I was hoping to try to get a way have been shuttered. Classes scholarship through the FFA, but include wildlife management and there cannot be an FFA if there’s forestry as well as horticulture no ag class,” he said later. Dunn and greenhouse management. lives on a family farm and wants Several students and their fam- to major in agriculture at UT. ilies attended last week’s school Ryan Cox, also a rising senior, board meeting, and two spoke. has invested three years in a vo-
cational track he won’t be able to complete. Afterward, board members and Superintendent Dr. Jim McIntyre spoke to him. Cox said their attempts at consolation were too little, too late. “They told us that we did well and that our speeches were good, but honestly, that doesn’t mean anything to me,” said Cox. “Individually, I think they all want to help us, but together they all felt that it was too far gone. The decision has been made and it will stand.” Blankenship is packing 25 years’ worth of records and memories while dealing with a family health crisis – his son was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and his condition remains precarious. Although he has been interviewed for a new position, Blankenship has no guarantee of a job this fall.
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