A Hamblen County Special Needs educator has been recognized by a state organization for her service.

Leigh Ann Mills, Special Services Coordinator, Special Services Department Child Find/Assessment Specialist with the Hamblen County School System, was recognized by the Special Olympics Tennessee as the 2026 Special Olympics Tennessee Coach of the Year.

“These teachers do an unbelievable job of getting our students with unique learning needs involved, whether it’s boccheball, track, weightlifting, they do everything,” Hamblen County Superintendent of Schools Arnold Bunch, Jr. said. “It makes a big difference in those young men’s and women’s lives.

Mills was presented with a Hamblen County Schools’ Challenge Coin.

“From all of us, thank you,” Bunch said. “It makes a big difference in those kids’ lives. When you see their families watching them, it’s awesome.”

Through her passion, leadership and unwavering commitment to athletes, Leigh Ann has made a lasting impact on and off the field of play.

She embodies what it means to be a Special Olympics Coach by creating opportunities, building confidence and helping athletes discover their full potential every day.

Mills will have her photo placed on the “State Honors Wall” at the Central Office highlighting educators who have won state or national awards while employed by Hamblen County Schools.

Members of the Morristown East and West high school track teams were recognized for their respective “Top Eight” finishes at the TSSAA State Track Meet held at the University of Tennessee.

A total of four athletes placed in the Top Eight. Included are Morristown East’s Riley Dabbs in the Decathlon.

Morristown West was well represented by Matthew Victory, who placed fifth in the Long Jump and Fourth in the Decathlon; Jayden Howard finished fourth in the 110-Meter Hurdles, earned a personal record with a third-place finish in the 300-Meter Hurdles and finished fifth in the 200-Meter Dash.

Karden Shaver, Jayden Howard, Russell Cole and Matthew Victory finished seventh in the 4×100 and set a school record in the event.

West also tied for eighth out of 55 scoring teams in the Large School Division.