This year’s Students Rise to the Challenge (SRTTC) scholarship competition brought SCORE many, many impressive essays, videos, and photos stories from public school students across the state of Tennessee. Some entries were humorous, some creative, and some truly heartfelt.

The 30 finalist entries are being graded by a judging panel of educators and community members who will pick the three winners to our 2015 Students Rise to the Challenge Scholarship competition.

As a reminder, the winning students will be recognized at the SCORE Prize event, Monday, October 26, 2015 at 6 p.m. CT at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville. The SCORE Prize recognizes the schools, districts, and communities in Tennessee that are leaders in student learning and awards winning schools $10,000 prizes and the winning district a $25,000 prize. The event will include a special performance by ABC Nashville star Charles Esten. Tickets are free, but seating is limited, so reserve today.

We received many high-quality entries and today, we are recognizing 30 finalists for SRTTC:

Elementary School Finalists

Kandelyn Clark, Andersonville Elementary School, Anderson County Schools

Reagan Guess, Indian Trail Intermediate School, Johnson City Schools

Jordan Guthrie, Andrew Johnson Elementary, Kingsport City Schools

Mackenzie Henley, Andrew Johnson Elementary, Kingsport City Schools

Madison McCameron, Eaton Elementary, Loudon County Schools

Katreena McGrew, Andersonville Elementary School, Anderson County Schools

Cardin McVey, Andrew Johnson Elementary, Kingsport City Schools

Gabe Milliron, Parkview Elementary, Bradley County Schools

Nicholas Reynolds, Andersonville Elementary, Anderson County Schools

Reid Scott, Jefferson Elementary, Kingsport City Schools

Middle School Finalists

Tabitha Callahan, Millington Middle School, Millington Municipal Schools

Julie Davenport, Innovation Academy, Sullivan County

Sana Fatah, STEM Prep Academy, Metro Nashville Public Schools

Charles Deion Hammond, Martin Middle School, Weakley County Schools

Emily Huffstetler, Maryville Junior High School, Maryville City Schools

Yeleeya Li, Indian Trail Intermediate School, Johnson City Schools

Ashley Meade, Liberty Bell Middle School, Johnson City Schools

Hibak Muhammed, STEM Prep Academy, Metro Nashville Public Schools

Francisco Perez-Leyva, Millington Middle School, Millington Municipal Schools

Bryan Wilson, Innovation Academy, Sullivan County

High School Finalists

Jasmine Carlisle, Mt. Juliet High School, Wilson County

Sadie Collins, Sycamore High School, Cheatham County Schools

Ana Delgado, RePublic High School, Metro Nashville Public Schools

Weston Downing, Covington High School, Tipton County Schools

Larry Gillespie, RePublic High School, Metro Nashville Public Schools

Delaney Markham, Maryville High School, Maryville City Schools

Preston Nicely, L&N STEM Academy, Knox County Schools

Srushti Patel, Maryville Junior High, Maryville City Schools

Jade Shiffer, Stewart High School, Stewart County Schools

Emiliano Zapata, STEM Prep High School, Metro Nashville Public Schools

Friday, October 16, we announced the three winners of the 2015 Students Rise to the Challenge and launch the SRTTC Fan Favorite competition on Facebook, where YOU can vote on the best overall winning entries. Here is the blog post on the 2015 Students Rise to the Challenge Winners. 

To all those who submitted entries, thank you for raising your voice with Students Rise to the Challenge. We enjoyed reviewing all of your entries, wish you the best of luck with your upcoming school year, and hope that you will apply again to Students Rise to the Challenge next year.