Welcome, Roan Class of 2025! PATE ANGLIN
Homeschooler (Johnson City, TN) Highlights: Pate Anglin has spoken to hundreds of young people across Tennessee about the dangers of tobacco use. Working with TNSTRONG, a youth-led, statewide organization committed to educating youth about the harmful effects of tobacco usage, Pate has also created and implemented a 6-week anti-drug curriculum for elementary and middle school students. Captain of the University School varsity soccer team, Pate has also pursued a variety of entrepreneurial projects and was named in 2019 to the Appalachian Highlands Twenty Under 20. He has served his community on the Carter County Drug Prevention Coalition and by delivering food boxes monthly to local public housing. Guiding Principles: “I have strong, foundational convictions that both drive and guide me. However, I welcome change and new learning, and when faced with a new concept, I embrace the challenge.”
MORGAN BLAZER
Cocke County High School
Highlights: “I want to play a role in helping the community that has helped me so much,” says Morgan. She is a three-sport athlete, serving as captain for her high school varsity cross-country, track, and swim teams. She has earned all-conference honors in cross-country and track – and qualified for state championships in swimming, cross country, and track. Morgan was president of her school’s Key Club, a three-year member of Beta Club, and has volunteered with Tennova Healthcare in Newport. Guiding Principles: “Sports and competing have taught me lessons about perseverance, hard work, and the importance of a team. I quickly discovered that I was never going to achieve the times I wanted without pushing myself past my comfort zone, but I also understood that patience and determination were needed to continue on.”
KATIE JONES
Chuckey-Doak High School
Highlights: “Every team should have someone to bring light and positivity towards different situations,” says Katie – and Katie seeks to be that person. She was the four-year vice president of her class at Chuckey
Doak, where she helped plan the school’s 60th anniversary celebration. She played travel softball for many years and was the captain of her high school team. Ranked first in her class, she was nominated as a delegate for the Congress of Future Medical Leaders and earned the Volunteer State Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish.
and respected. Shaina has served on Work Crew with Young Life, played on and managed the Happy Valley High School girls basketball team, and held leadership roles in FFA and Key Club. She has also been recognized for her outstanding work with her high school’s greenhouse.
Guiding Principles: “I believe the three most important characteristics of a good leader during this time are determination, certainty and hope.”
Guiding Principles: “I believe work ethic speaks to who someone is as a person. … [W]hat you put into something is what you will get out.”
VERONICA WATSON
ABBY SIMPSON
Volunteer High School
Elizabethton High School
Highlights: Abby’s clogging shoes have danced across the country and around the world, earning her numerous national titles and accolades. She was a fouryear member of her high school’s Key Club and also served as its president. Abby has created and led two service projects in her community: the ‘Warm Hands, Warm Hearts’ program, which provides cold weather items to shelters in her community, and ‘Community Cans’ (formerly ‘Cans for Covid’), which seeks to address food insecurity caused by the pandemic. Guiding Principles: “I have a desire for selfimprovement. I am always open to new ideas and opportunities that will allow me to become an even better leader for others.”
RILEY SKAGGS
Sullivan East High School Highlights: “I am a learner,” says Riley, who embraces the idea that “there are always new things to learn.” She was president of the Sullivan East Student Council and a three-sport athlete in crosscountry, track, and swimming. A member of Bristol Youth Leadership, she volunteered with the TechGYRLS after-school program and also represented Sullivan County at the Student Congress on Policies in Education, working with students across the state to discuss and address educational policy. Guiding Principles: “Always giving my best effort is the key to accomplishment. This requires staying intentional to bring the best I have to the table, no matter the outcome.”
SHAINA THOMPSON
Happy Valley High School
Highlights: “Teach Love” is a motto that Shaina holds dear. She is committed to fostering communities where people feel loved, valued,
Highlights: Veronica is committed to ensuring all students have access to the best education possible – including access to quality STEM education. She has been actively involved with XQ Institute, a leading organization dedicated to rethinking the high school experience, include serving on its Student Advisory Committee. She was also the student representative to the Elizabethton City Schools Board of Education. Countless younger kids have learned about coding from Veronica, who served as an assistant teacher at Summer Code Camps for three years. She is also an accomplished roller skater and an Appalachian Highlands Twenty Under 20 honoree. Guiding Principles: “No matter who it is or what the situation is, I will listen and understand what someone has to say. Most of the time, all people want is to feel heard so using my platforms I ensure that they are and advocate with passion.”
TRENT WHITE
Unicoi County High School
Highlights: Trent’s passion for government started early – when he was a young kid attending county commission meetings. Seeking to inspire a similar passion in others, he founded and serves as chairman of the Unicoi County Teenage Republicans. He has volunteered for local and statewide campaigns and was a finalist for the United States Senate Youth Program. He held numerous high school leadership roles, including serving as president of Student Council, National Honor Society, and Key Club. Mock trial, drama club, and tennis are also among Trent’s activities. Guiding Principles: “I know that building relationships with others is more important than ‘winning’ any debate with my peers. In an increasingly divided nation, I’ve learned to unite with those around me.”
ROAN ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021 | 21
