Morristown- Hamblen High School West held its Fourth Annual Scholarship Awards Day, part of a threepart recognition series that includes the Honors Banquet, Signing Day and Scholarship Awards Day.

West Principal Jeffrey Kinsler explained about the reasoning behind the ceremony. These were separated due to the amount of time to be granted to each event.

“This is indeed a special day for our school community,” he said. “We believe it is helpful for everyone to understand all of this. First, our seniors absolutely dedicated recognition for their achievements. Your hard work, dedication and accomplishments throughout your high school years are truly worthy of celebration. You make us all proud.

Kinsler said that second, it’s a simple matter of practicality and experience.

“We’ve learned that recognizing all scholarship money recipients during the Honors Banquet makes for an extremely long (event) that can feel overwhelming,” Kinsler said. “When a program runs too long, it takes away from the joy and genuine recognition we want to create for everyone involved.

“By dedicating an entire event to scholarships, we can give each recipient and their families the individual attention and celebration they truly deserve,” he said.

Finally, Kinsler said that the afternoon event allows recognition of businesses and community supporters who make all possible. He cited the businesses’ demands and being unable to attend ceremonies scheduled at night after closing hours.

“Yet, your support is absolutely vital to our mission and to our students’ success,” Kinsler said. “Your work, much of it unseen, sustains us and strengthens our school community. You are true partners with us in this important work.”

Among the guests present at the ceremony were Hamblen County Commission Chairman and retired teacher Bobby Haun and Chairman of the Hamblen County Board of Education Johnny Denton. Both men are West high graduates.

Awards were presented as follows: Trojan Army Scholarships

Twelve West High seniors were awarded various scholarships from the Trojan Army Club, a nonprofit organization of alumni, community leaders and parents. Awards were in the amount of $22,000, the highest total of scholarships that the Trojan Army has awarded. They were divided into several categories: The Walter Coffey Scholarship is named in memory of the man who was West High’s “Number One Fan.” Winners were Eli Shoun and Riley Young.

The Trojan Army TCAT Scholarship was awarded to Zakeus McClananhan and Alex Perez-Jacinto. Each will receive $500.

Trojan Army Scholarships of $2,000 each were presented to James Arnold, Lilah Biery, Alexa Cuevas Romero, Brady Eheret, Lucy Justis, Keely Needs and Briley Polk.

The $5,000 Coach Buddy Salisbury Scholarship was awarded to Alayna Baes.

KEEL Foundation Scholarships

Awards were given to two top performers in English and Math at both East and West high schools. Firstplace awards are $2,500 with Second-place awards are $1,500: English winners were Eli Shoun and Caroline Brady. Math winners were Daniel Zheng and Grayson Kraus.

Clear Loop Energy Scholarships

The scholarships are generated by Intuit, through its generous investment in local clean energy infrastructure and community impact. Winners were $3,000 STEM Scholarship Winner Brady Ehret, $1,000 CTE Scholarship Winner Luke Orr and $1,000 CTE Scholarship Winner Jenna Robinson.

Commercial Bank Spirit Scholarship

Angel Sosa presented the Commercial Bank Spirit Scholarship. Netania McMahan was chosen by guidance counsellors, administration and faculty for this award for “life made better at West High.”

Tuff Torq Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 1990 as Tuff Torq was being established in Morristown. This $2,000 award was given to Brady Erhet from Yanmar Corporation, parent company of Tuff Torq, to study science and engineering.

Joint Economic and Community Development Board Scholarships

The Hamblen County Joint Economic and Community Development Board presented the Career and Technical Education Scholarship valued at $500 each was presented by Haun to Alex Perez-Jacinto and Briley Polk.

Jonathan Fluker Memorial Scholarship

The Jonathan Fluker Memorial Scholarship was established in 2015 for students at both high schools. The $1,000 scholarship was awarded to Landon Halcomb.

Brian Marcum Memorial Scholarship

The Brian Marcum Memorial Scholarship was named in memory of the former West High teacher, who died in 2022.

Andrew Ezell was awarded this $1,000 scholarship for his pursuit of education. As the award winner, Ezell will receive an additional $500 from the Leadvale Masonic Lodge No. 390 F&AM.

Hamblen County Retired Teachers Scholarship

Hamblen County Retired Teachers Association presented its $500 scholarship to Penelope Lucky, who will be majoring in education.

Morristown-Hamblen Lions Club Scholarships

Morristown- Hamblen Lions Club presented three $250 scholarships. Chad Dalton and Briley Polk will each attend Walters State Community College. Alex Perez-Jacinto will attend Tennessee College of Applied Technology- Morristown.

Noah Dean Memorial/ Electric Shock Drowning Scholarship

The Noah Dean Memorial/ Electric Shock Drowning Scholarship is named in memory of one of two boys who were involved in drowning from electric shock at Cherokee Lake in 2012. To qualify for this scholarship, participants must have written an essay about electric shock safety and prevention. Briley Polk, Miracle Styles, Brady Eheret, Andrew Ezell, Alexis Moore and James Arnold all received scholarships. Morristown-Hamblen Healthcare System/ Covenant Health Volunteer Auxiliary Scholarship The Morristown-Hamblen Healthcare System/Covenant Health Volunteer Auxiliary Scholarship is presented to a student pursuing a career in the healthcare field, based on grades, character and leadership qualities. Alexyannah Singh Massengill received a $1,500 scholarship.

Lakeway Tennis Association/Coach Ron Bowlin Legacy

The Lakeway Tennis Association presented scholarships in memory of long-time area tennis coach Ron Bowlin. Recipients were Maythe Fuentes Hernandez, Andrew Gal, Marvin Mendes Velasquez, Alexis Moore, Brooklyn Shelton and Eli Shoun.

University of Tennessee

West students will receive various awards from the University of Tennessee. This was the largest and most competitive applicant pool in school history.

Merit Scholarships were awarded to James Arnold, Caroline Brady, Eden Gibson, Greyson Kraus, Alexa Cuevas Romero, Maythe Fuentes Hernandez, Luke Goodman, Lucy Justis, Carlos Martinez, Marvin Mendes Velazquez, Jaylen Moyers, Keely Needs, Jonah White and Chloe Yang.

East Tennessee State University

Nine West students will receive various awards from East Tennessee State University. These students earned these awards through GPA and scores on the ACT/SAT tests.

An $8,000 award over four years went to Caleb Rodrick, Brooklyn Shelton and Eli Archer.

Jacob Walker was awarded the Dean’s ABS is $12,000 over four years.

William Des Groseilliers, Angel Beverly and Layla McReynolds each received the Provost’s ABS, a $16,000 scholarship over four years.

Alexis Moore and William Morrison received the Presidential ABS, $20,000 over four years.

Tennessee Technological University

Tennessee Technological University presented Brady Ehret with the Presidential Freshman Scholarship. Landon Halcomb received the Honors Engagement Fellowship Scholarship, and the Presidential Freshman Scholarship, among others.

Carson-Newman University

Five West students received a total of $84,060 in scholarships from Carson-Newman University. Lilah Biery and Eli Shoun each received the Presidential Excellence Scholarship. Angela Kyle, Netania McMahan and Angela Santiago Santes each received the Presidential Scholarship.

Tusculum University

Tusculum University awarded a $10,000 Academic Merit Scholarship to Malachi Monroe for academic excellence, leadership and strength of character.

Walters State Community College

Ten West students were awarded scholarships to Walters State Community College.

The Guaranteed Senators Elite Scholars Award valued at $4,000 per year went to Niccalia Cornett, Marily Cruz, Penelope Lucky and Josie Wolfe.

Marvin Mendes Velasquez and Giselle Suastigui Reducindo have completed 12 hours of dual enrollment will receive awards valued at $5,000 per year.

Liz Medina Torres and Jessica Melchor-Sanchez Received the Guaranteed Senators Scholars Award valued at $3,000 per year.

Kameryn Walker received the Dual Enrollment Achievement Award valued at $2,000 a year.

Briley Polk received the Senators Excellence Scholarship, valued at $3,000 per year.

Middle Tennessee State University

Jalyn Brotherton received the Presidential Scholarship valued at $4,500 a year. Nathan Strumski was awarded the Trustees Scholarship valued at $5,000 a year and an additional scholarship valued at $833.

Other Awards

The Bob Harbison Compassionate Youth Award was awarded to Riley Young. Marilyn Quintero Mancilla won the $500 Hamblen County Federated Republican Women’s Essay Scholarship. Lucy Justis was awarded $500 from the Hamblen County Administrators Scholarship. Briley Polk and Jonathan Rivera Ramirez each received $500 from the Hamblen County Education Association. Alayna Baes also received the $500 A&B Bunch Scholarship.

Lucy Justis and Briley Polk will each receive $984 from the J.C. Freels Scholarship. Marilyn Quintero Mancilla received $250 from the Lucile Courtney Litz Scholarship. Brady Eheret received a $1,000 National Beta Club Scholarship.

Marvyn Mendes Velasquez is the recipient of the Gates Scholarship, which will pay for his complete college costs.

Maythe Fuentes Hernandez received a $10,000 Horatio Alger Association Scholarship for her college career.

Alayna Baes received a scholarship for being named the 2026 Boys and Girls Club of Morristown’s Youth of the Year.

Riley Young received a $9,000 athletic scholarship to King University’s acrobatics and tumbling team. She also received an academic and merit scholarship valued at $17,000 annually.