Union County Public Schools hosted a Networking with the Legislators Breakfast on May 1. Rebecca Lock, Legislative Liaison for the UC Board of Education, planned the event for the chance to mingle and learn about educational achievements and legislative actions. Attendees were greeted by the Navy JROTC and escorted to the UCHS Library.

The aroma of millionaires bacon and homemade cinnamon rolls drew everyone together to chat and get a cup of fresh coffee provided by hostess Sherrie Collins who masquerades as the UCHS Librarian most of the day. The culinary arts class was eager to display their hospitality and cooking skills as they served up scrambled eggs, the spicy sweet millionaires bacon, sweet potato sausage hash, really yummy cinnamon rolls and a fruit board boasting grapes, blueberries, bananas, oranges and chocolate dipped strawberries. Chef Zachary Hodge teaches the culinary arts program.

The UCHS chorus entertained with their own arrangement of “Lightning,” “The Moon,” and “Seven Bridges Road.” Music Director Hannah Haynes accompanied on the keyboard. The selections were a preview of their May 6 concert. Hunter Collins, band director, also invited everyone to the band concert on the evening of May 1.

Greg Clay, Director of Schools, welcomed everyone and provided the introductions. Thomas Gibson represented Congressman Tim Burchett. Chelsea Ivens attended for Senator Marsha Blackburn. Both Burchett and Blackburn were in Washington, DC, and could not attend in person. Senator Jessie Seal sent his regrets that he missed the breakfast due to a previous commitment. Clay thanked Representative Dennis Powers for his work to obtain the TCAT/Walter's State Community College that is being constructed on the UCHS Campus. School board members present were Chairperson Jessica Buck, Vice Chairperson Rebecca Lock, 4th District Member Dr. Jimmy Carter, and 6th District Member Harold Cooke. Luttrell Mayor Jerry Lawson was also present.

Dr. Tobi Kilgore, Horace Maynard Middle School Principal, kickstarted the presentations with a summary of the courses offered at the middle school. He stressed the importance of early career exploration. This approach has established high school credit opportunities in not only academics, but also career and technical courses. From the current 8th grade, six students will enter UCHS with three high school credits already completed.

Bryan Shoffner, Supervisor of Career and Technical Education, itemized and summarized the twelve CTE dual enrollment programs that are offered at UCHS. He also expressed gratitude to Horticulture Lighting Group, a company in Maynardville, that manufactures grow lights. HLG provided the lights to enable the horticulture class to establish a temporary greenhouse and continue to grow and sell plants since the TCAT is being built on the former greenhouse site.

UCHS Principal Lance Lay expressed gratitude for the TCAT/WSCC and commented that in the near future UCHS students would leave the campus with an associates degree. He also acknowledged the work of the Ayers Foundation and credited the Ayers counselors with keeping UCHS ranked first for FAFSA form completions. These completions have commandeered more than $1.6M in scholarships for the past two years. UCHS also boasts two state winners in forensics in criminal justice and will compete nationally this summer.

Powers praised County Mayor Jason Bailey for his willingness to communicate the idea of post high school opportunities and a TCAT in Union County. He applauded the dedication and cooperation of Shoffner, Lay and Clay to grow these opportunities. Powers related how he continues to work for dual enrollment classes and the model program in Union County.

With the the conclusion of the remarks, Curriculum Supervisor Lauren Effler coordinated the tour of the Bus for Us, Union County's own book bus to promote early literacy. Then several participants boarded one of the electric buses to tour the TCAT and New Middle School sites with Transportation Supervisor Lenny Holt driving the bus. As some left the library, they approached Clay regarding taking the tour at a later time and expressed that Union County sure “has a lot of good things happening.”