F

Morristown Hamblen High School East’s Olivia Lamb has been named one of 10 high school seniors to be selected as members of the Roan Scholars Leadership Program at East Tennessee State University.

Lamb, along with her other 9 peers, will join 24 returning Roan Scholars on campus in the fall as part of the prestigious four-year scholarship program.

Lamb is the top cadet in her JROTC unit, having been named Junior Cadet of the Year in 2022 and earning three national level medals. She currently serves as Corps Commander, the highest level one can achieve in the program.

Lamb also captains her high school’s dance team, is a member of Hamblen County Youth Leadership and was selected as her school’s representative for Volunteer Girls State.

“Leadership is Olivia’s strong suit,” said Brian Bowlin, her school counselor. “Her character is above reproach, (and) her maturity level allows her to be trusted and to be given much responsibility by her teachers, bosses and other adults.”

Executive Director Scott Jeffress is excited about the new scholars and hope they carry on the legacy of Roan Founder Louie Gump.

“We are very excited to select 10 new Roan Scholars for the first time,” said Jeffress. “Mr. Louie Gump’s initial vision for the Roan included having at least 10 students in each class. From an inaugural class of four Roan Scholars, we have more than doubled that class size over time, and it is wonderful to see this aspect of Mr. Gump’s original vision now becoming a reality. We are grateful to ETSU, and to all of the individual donors and business partners whose ongoing financial support makes that growth possible.”

This year’s class of Roan Scholars was selected from among more than 100 outstanding students across Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia and Western North Carolina.

“Members of the Roan Class of 2027 have been recognized for their academic, athletic and extracurricular achievements at local, state and national levels. From teaching first aid classes and volunteering with summer reading enhancement programs, to spearheading a new community Jamboree to benefit local merchants and brightening the days of children in the foster system, they are already leading and serving in their communities, and we look forward to seeing all the ways they will make a positive impact on ETSU’s campus and our region in the future,” added Jeffress.

The other Roan Scholars include:

Peyton Gentry Johnson County High School

Olivia Holly Elizabethton High School

Nora Honeycutt Science Hill High School

Grace Kellner Daniel Boone High School

Shelby Koerten Sevier County High School

Maggie Martin Mitchell High School

Olivia Nothnagel West Ridge High School

Eliza Smith Volunteer High School

Reagan Sparks Mitchell High School

About the Roan Scholars

“With nearly 100 alumni now leading and serving throughout our region and around the world, and with our largest-ever incoming class, it is impressive to see the continued growth and development of the Roan Program over the past two-plus decades,” said Roan Steering Committee Chair Mark Kinser. “That success is thanks to our many partners – the high school counselors and administrators who identify and encourage such outstanding students, the committee members and staff who devote many hours to interviewing and selecting students and our supporters who generate the resources that support the program. We’re grateful for everyone who makes up the extended ‘Roan Family.’”

The Roan Scholars Leadership Program empowers students to be leaders of excellence who will positively impact the ETSU campus, the region and the world. The Roan scholarship offers four years of unique, out-of-the-classroom experiences and opportunities designed to challenge and inspire students to grow and develop as leaders. The scholarship also includes a significant financial award for tuition and fees, room and board and books.