School Board recognizes broad span of achievements
Brentwood Home Page news reports
State awards keep rolling in for Williamson County students. They were honored with Student Spotlights during Monday’s Williamson County Board of Education meeting on March 28.

Several students won state championships in the National Forensic League competition. From Brentwood High, Patrick Kellett and Michael Zoorob won for Public Forum Debate and Eli Grimes and Chris Mueller won for Duo Interpretation. Their coach is Harriet Medlin.  Nick Lotz from Independence won for Extemporaneous Speaking. His coach is Tadd Himelrick. Lydia Phillips, Ravenwood, is the state champion in Humorous Interpretation. Her coach is Kari Smith.

Two Ravenwood students were honored for earning first place in the State Health Occupation Students of America competition. Demarcus Williams won for Extemporaneous Speaking, and Brandon Sands placed first in Dental Spelling. Their teacher is Denise Asbury.

In the area of volunteerism, Brentwood High’s Kendall Gilfillan was honored as Tennessee’s Top Youth Volunteer in the 2011 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.  Representatives from Prudential were also on hand to formally present a medal during the Board meeting.

Williamson County students dominated the Tennessee High School Press Association Awards.

 The following Brentwood High students earned first place awards Alex Dostaler, Best Reporter; Bart Trusdle, Best Videographer; Anna Brown, Chelsea Chamberlain, Rebecca Gunger and Ellenor Hord, Best Commercial; and Grace Wholley and Zach Driver, Best News Package. There was a three way tie for first place in Best Public Service Announcement with Rebecca Gunger, Chelsea Chamberlain, Sarah Willa and Abi Lindsey honored along with Thomas Proctor and Zach Madell and Michael Dunne.  The team of Taylor Green, Max Ketschke, Josh Hurt, Nathan Center, Zach Madell, Josh Jirjis, Danielle Wilson, Grayson Propst, Alex Dostaler, Chris Locke, Anna Brown, Bart Trusdle, Chris Elekes, Sam Hughes, Michael Dunne, Austin Harper, Abby Vorhaus, Sara Staas, and Will Bell won first for Best Sports Live Event.  Their teacher is Ronnie Adcock.

From Ravenwood, Bailie Patterson and Aaron Mirtes won for Best News Feature. Sara Sweitzer was their teacher.

In the State’s eTales Digital Storytelling competition, which took place last school year but just recently announced, in the 3-5 Division, Hannah Oakley from Lipscomb Elementary earned the top award. Bob Armour was her teacher and Shannon Youngman her tech coach. In the 9-12 Division, Jessica Price from Franklin High won first place.  Susan Orr was her teacher and Robin Couts her tech coach.

Several teachers were honored with Staff Spotlights during the Board meeting.

Brentwood High’s Harriet Medlin was honored as the Veterans of Foreign Wars Citizenship Education Tennessee Teacher of the Year.  Jan Little, Brentwood High teacher, was named the Bonnie Hufford Newspaper and Literary Magazine Advisor of the Year.