Chattanooga, TN August 2023

Kids and Pets!

Welcome to August and to our Kids and Pets issue! Nothing brings value to our lives quite like our children. Our journeys as parents are just as unique as the kids in our lives, and in this issue, we explore community resources available to families, as well as meet some incredible students who are already making their mark on the world.

We learn more about Downside Up. This organization is a "family for families" who have a child with disabilities. Created by Founder and CEO Theresa Nix after learning her child was diagnosed with Down syndrome, Downside Up provides support, programs, and resources for the entire family as they navigate life with a special needs child.

We introduce five of our community’s most impressive recent high school graduates. We celebrate their achievements, we recognize their contributions to their schools, and we talk to them about what is next in their academic journeys. I know you’ll enjoy getting to know Joshua “JT” Hood, Chasidy Burns, Lily Andrews, Marquez “Q” Thompson and Jada Higheagle as much as we did.

We meet Erin Minnis, the owner of Wild Magnolia Events and learn what it takes to put on a truly memorable and thoughtful party. Her attention to detail and strong relationships with creative vendors makes planning your next event a piece of cake!

We visit local staple the Creative Discovery Museum.  The museum is almost finished with a comprehensive renovation that will allow this important community resource to serve the children of Chattanooga for years to come. CDM is on a mission to inspire all children to explore, innovate, create, and play, making our community the best place for a child to grow up.

We proudly introduce you to some residents of the McKamey Animal Shelter! McKamey is near capacity as they are experiencing a correction of sorts from the pandemic. This organization is on the forefront of animal care in our community and we encourage you to consider adopting one of their furry friends!

For families with kids, August means back to school. I grew up in a home where both my parents were teachers, and I can tell you firsthand that this is a stressful and exciting time for students and the educators that are charged with their care this year. Take time to see if your kid's teacher has an Amazon wishlist and take care of a few items. You won't regret it!

August 2023

PUBLISHER

Rebecca Kilday | rebecca.kilday@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Belinda Martin | belinda.martin@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Belinda Martin, Theresa Nix, Kendra Simons, Mackenzie Steele

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Ansley Suddeth Photography, The Simon West Agency

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

CONTROLLER Gary Johnson

AD DESIGNER Rachel Collins

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsey Ragain

REBECCA KILDAY , PUBLISHER @CHATTANOOGACITYLIFESTYLE

Builtwell Bank ranked 13th in financial performance among community banks in the southeast with less than $10 billion in total assets, and 66th nationwide with less than $3 billion in total assets.

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1: Erin Minnis, Ansley Suddeth, and Brooklyn D’Amico at a Fourth of July styled picnic. 2: Alex Paul Loza’s life-sized statue is unveiled at the grand opening of Little Debbie Park. 3: Downside Up’s Camp Wakawalu where children with disabilities and their families have a weekend away. 4: Community leaders attend DIVERSIFY Summit to promote diversity and inclusion among local business owners. 5: The ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the grand opening of Tinker’s Soft Serve on Chestnut Street. 6: Sunflower season on the farm at Smith-Perry Berries located in Ooltewah. 7: Gilman family members celebrate the bridal shower of Mary Landress at Old Gilman Grill.

DOWNSIDE UP

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@CHACHAMBER

ANSLEY SUDDETH PHOTOGRAPHY

CITY OF COLLEGEDALE - GOVERNMENT

SMITH-PERRY BERRIES

WEST VILLAGE CHATTANOOGA

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

William O'Hearn Named Head of Chattanooga Public Library

William O'Hearn, director of the Eugene Public Library in Oregon, has been named to head the Chattanooga Public Library. He has previously led libraries in Springfield, Illinois, and Colorado Springs, Colorado. "Chattanooga's library is a destination for 21st century learning with tailored programs to meet the needs of all our residents," Mayor Tim Kelly said in the announcement. O'Hearn was selected after a national search that started in January, and he will begin August 25.

Photography Times Free Press

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Little Debbie Park Opens in Collegedale

Executive Vice President of McKee Foods, Rusty McKee said "I’m glad that our city leadership recognized that longterm, more people would want to live around a community that has places like this for the families.” McKee Foods purchased the 10-acre plot from Southern Adventist University with the stipulation that the land be donated to the city for use as a park and include green spaces and playgrounds equipped to include people with special needs.

Kalena Bovell Named 2024 Sphinx Medal of Excellence Honoree

CSO Music Director Candidate, Kalena Bovell was recently announced as a 2024 Sphinx Medal of Excellence honoree. This award is the highest honor bestowed in the Sphinx organization, a social justice organization dedicated to transforming lives through the power of diversity in arts, and comes with a $50,000 grant. The medal recognizes extraordinary Black and Latinx classical musicians. Recipients demonstrate artistic excellence, outstanding work ethic, and an ongoing commitment to leadership in their communities.

Photography @chattsymphony

Photography City of Collegedale

local experiences

Grab the kids, pack your bags and hit the town for some end of summer fun. Use our list for some family-friendly adventures that will do everything from raising your heart rate, excite the little ones, and create lasting memories together.

Our Picks for Family-Friendly Fun

IMAGINATION STATION PLAYGROUND: Children run, play, imagine, and interact on playground equipment for all ages. The park has a train platform to explore, sandbox, and a rentable pavilion. 4910 Swinyar Drive | Collegedale, TN 37363

DUCK DONUTS: Duck Donuts offers customizable, made-to-order donuts that are as fresh as they are delicious and there's lots of room for creativity.

2115 Gunbarrel Rd A-11 | Chattanooga, TN 37421

WILDERNESS AT THE SMOKIES WATERPARK RESORT: Wilderness at the Smokies Waterpark Resort is a luxurious vacation destination. Wilderness is a whole new concept of FUN for your Smoky Mountain vacation!  1424 Old Knoxville Highway | Sevierville, TN 37876

UDDER YUM ICE CREAM SHOPPE: Udder Yum Ice Cream Shoppe offers a delicious selection of premium ice cream that's sure to tantalize the taste buds and put smiles on faces. 16696 Rankin Avenue | Dunlap, TN 37327

SKY ZONE TRAMPOLINE PARK: Sky Zone Chattanooga is not just a trampoline park. With games and attractions, we never stop searching for new ways to sweat and have fun. 7455 Commons Boulevard | Chattanooga, TN 37421

Scan for more photos and the full list.

MEET THIS MONTH’S CURATOR

Ava Kearns

Ava is a hilarious rising third grader who loves spending time with her parents and younger sister. She is an active, adventurous soul who never meets a stranger. Ava loves animals, Jesus, and making others laugh.

The best places and things to do in our area.

Erin Minnis takes Events from Concept to Product with Ease

WILD MAGNOLIA EVENTS + DESIGN

ARTICLE BY BELINDA MARTIN PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANSLEY SUDDETH PHOTOGRAPHY

A consultation with Erin Minnis is more like sitting down with an old friend, one who knows you better than you know yourself. With an uncanny ability to take client’s ideas from Pinterest to reality, Erin transitioned from her career as an ASL interpreter to an event designer and coordinator after the birth of her daughter and has hit the ground running making connections with other local small businesses and entrepreneurs.

A crafter and creator for as long as she can remember, Erin attributes some of her passion for event planning to her mother who she recalls was always ready to celebrate. We had the pleasure of speaking with Erin, owner of Wild Magnolia Events and Design, about her journey to owning her own business and her passion for bringing client’s ideas to life.

HOW DID WILD MAGNOLIA BEGIN?

I had my daughter in February 2022 and soon after my best friend and I coordinated and designed more weddings together. I then realized this was where God was leading me. I didn’t want to leave my profession as an ASL Interpreter, but longed to be able to stay at home with our children. I started planning more

intimate parties for friends and the ideas kept coming. Wild Magnolia unintentionally became therapeutic for me as I walked through postpartum depression and anxiety, all while helping others feel celebrated.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK IN EVENT COORDINATION AND DESIGN?

The endless possibilities. This is the beauty behind Wild Magnolia. We aren’t just wedding specific. If you have a vision of a celebration, bring it to us and we will take care of the rest. This really hit me after this year’s Mother’s Day Brunch. The vision started from a napkin I ran across in a store one day and turned into a gathering of over 70 women with 20 locally owned businesses.  We are in the service industry, so we are passionate about our clients and they sure do make it worthwhile!

DESCRIBE THE CLIENT EXPERIENCE.

Once we get an inquiry, the party gets started! When we say parties, we mean all of them: birthdays, corporate events, weddings, anniversaries, picnics, or even more intimate gatherings.  We talk with each client to get their ideas regarding decor, food, CONTINUED >

venue and budget. We then have a consultation session where we present a proposal with visuals for the party and a price breakdown. We even add a few suggestions to elevate the experience. This session allows clients to envision their event. Then comes the party! The day of the event we work to coordinate all vendors to ensure that our clients can simply just show up to the celebration–stress free!

Weddings are a little different depending on the package selected. Our full wedding planning package allows us to walk alongside our couples from the moment they say, “Yes” until “I Do.”  Many couples walk through their engagement season stressed about the overwhelming task of planning a wedding. We understand how sweet the engagement season is and we want to ensure our couples get to enjoy every minute of it. Partial planning allows us to assist couples in the three months leading up to the wedding. We handle coordinating all vendors to ensure our couples get to enjoy their special day. Wedding coordination and styling is one of our favorite things to do. Who doesn’t love Pinterest, right? We know, however, how overwhelming it can be with so many ideas coming at each swipe. We assist in narrowing the ideas down to specific designs, gathering every little detail.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE TRENDS AND DESIGN CONCEPTS RIGHT NOW?

Gathering. Over the past two years, we have seen an increase in people gathering again. People are getting back out and finding reasons to fellowship and celebrate. This drives us. We know the importance of community and intentionally doing life together.

Color. Pops of color are also really popular right now and we are here for it! We still love a neutral or black and white event, but we also enjoy being able to incorporate all of the color.

Styled Shoots. When we create a specific concept we want to highlight to show our creative possibilities, we take it and run! We have some great shoots planned that we cannot wait to share.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE COLLABORATING WITH LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS.

We have found a great community of what we call “friendors” here in Chattanooga that work together to make the best celebrations happen.  A number of our collaborations came from our Mother’s Day Brunch where all of our vendors and pop up shops were women-owned businesses.

Motherhood is such a special season, but many times, we don’t take time for ourselves and I wanted to support other working women and moms to curate a space to gather and celebrate each other.

There is so much talent in Chattanooga. Even in my personal life, I have a heart for bringing people together. This very much carries over into Wild Magnolia and intentionally finding opportunities to collaborate with other small business owners. We are constantly finding reasons to party together.

The vendors for the styled shoot in this feature include: Coordination & Styling: Wild Magnolia Events + Design; Photographer: Ansley Suddeth

Photography; Balloons, Bounce House, and Rentals: Petals & Parties; Venue: The Gray Dove; Fringe: That’s So Fringe; Marquee Lights: Alpha-Lit Chattanooga; Ice Cream Sandwiches: The Milky Cow Co.; Drink Stirrers: Hazel & Bloom Co.; BTS Content: Lily Snaps Content; and Paper Goods: My Mind’s Eye.

WHEN YOU’RE NOT PLANNING AND COORDINATING EVENTS, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

When I am not planning events, I am out in nature with my family or finding a new coffee shop around town for an iced latte. My party of choice? A picnic with my favorite people!

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE READERS TO KNOW?

We would love to walk alongside you for your celebration–no matter how big or small. This is our passion and we strive to make it everything you’ve dreamed and more. Contact us today, even with the tiniest detail and we will bring it to life.

Learn more about Wild Magnolia Events + Design and get in contact with Erin at: wildmagnolia.org .

IF YOU ARE READING THIS... SO IS YOUR BEST CLIENT. 2 OUT OF

The Creative Discovery Museum

ARTICLE BY MACKENZIE STEELE

ON A MISSION TO INSPIRE ALL CHILDREN TO EXPLORE, INNOVATE, CREATE, AND PLAY

The Creative Discovery Museum (CDM) is a leading non-profit children’s museum that offers hands-on educational programs and exhibits in the arts and sciences. Founded in 1995, CDM has been an integral part of the revival of downtown Chattanooga as a tourist attraction and is consistently ranked among the best children’s museums in the country. CDM is on a mission to inspire all children to explore, innovate, create, and play, making our community the best place for a child to grow up.

CDM falls at a unique intersection of identities as a prime tourist attraction, leader in experiential learning, and nonprofit organization. As Chattanooga’s reputation in the tourism industry continues to grow, particularly for families, CDM is often a destination of note for travelers. But for locals, the Museum is a place that is consistently leading the conversation around informal education. We support educators in our region by providing tools and resources from field trips to outreach lessons and more. Beyond traditional educators, the Museum’s expertise in experiential learning provides support for parents and caregivers as they learn how to be their children’s first teachers. As a nonprofit organization, CDM partners and collaborates with a variety of organizations to impact the region both within the Museum’s walls and beyond.

CDM is proud to be in the final stages of a comprehensive renovation of all Museum exhibits. Our permanent exhibits engage children and families in the arts and sciences with hands-on activities that spark innovation and creativity.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE CREATIVE DISCOVERY MUSEUM

In addition, our Temporary Exhibit Gallery hosts rotating traveling exhibits with different themes and components for guests to enjoy.

There is always something going on at CDM! We are gearing up for the Fall season right now, which includes our semi-annual fundraising event, Drink & Discover, many members-only events, like Monster Bash and Snow Night, and General Admission science and arts programming like Chemistry Day and Chocolate Festival. One event of particular note is our annual fundraising event, AmuseUm, which was named in the top five Best of the Best fundraisers in Chattanooga! On March 4, 2023, AmuseUm: Full STEAM Ahead brought nearly 500 adults to the Museum and raised over $130,000, making it the most successful fundraiser the Museum has hosted to date.

There are a variety of ways to support the work taking place at CDM. As a non-profit, CDM relies on generous donations from individuals and corporations every year. The money raised through our Annual Fund campaign helps fill in the gaps so the Museum can continue its mission in Chattanooga and beyond.

In addition, there are opportunities for teens to volunteer through our Museum Apprentice Program. Teens 13-17 are given a variety of experiences working in our exhibits and facilitating activities at events that help grow skills for future jobs and adult life. While they gain these skills, they are also supporting Museum staff to ensure an exceptional experience for our guests.

One of the simplest ways to support CDM is by telling friends and family to visit, purchasing memberships, and donating to the Museum. We value those who advocate for CDM by posting about us on social media and bringing friends to experience the Museum for themselves.

The Museum is in an exciting place as we close a chapter and begin a new one.

In addition to the complete renovation of the Museum, our President and CEO, Henry Schulson, is retiring this Fall after leading the Museum for 26 years. His career has left an indelible mark on CDM and Chattanooga, and his legacy will live on in the work the Museum continues to do as new leadership is appointed in the coming months.

The Creative Discovery Museum is on a mission to inspire all children to explore, innovate, create, and play.

DOWNSIDE UP

Downside Up is a family for families who have children with disabilities. We provide inclusive opportunities, strengthen community, and raise awareness for all abilities, all ages, and the whole family.

We started with our Camp Wakawalu family camp weekends and grew into a learning center. We are excited about some of our newest programs–preschool mornings, middle school Boost weekends, and our sensory community garden! Downside Up is always growing and adapting to what is needed by our community.

When my son was born with Down syndrome, I was so scared of what the future would hold for him and how to navigate it all in the best possible way. My husband and I began connecting with other families on the same journey and realized we were definitely not alone. Downside Up was born out of the desire to create more connections for parents and caretakers and to develop more opportunities for my son and others like him.

When you have a child, it is natural to begin thinking of ways you can make the world a better place for them to grow up and to have the best future they can. When you have a child with a disability, the list increases and the worries are compounded. What does this diagnosis have in store for my baby? Will my child ever walk or talk? Will potty training ever end? What if I die and there is no one to take care of my child? A multitude of questions keep us up at night.

The list is unique to each family and the severity of the disability, but we all want our children to live the best life possible for as long as possible and for the world to see them for more than just their disability. The families we serve are amazing, but many (mine included) are like ducks–trying to stay afloat, making it seem like the swim is effortless, but just below the surface is a frenzy of frantic movement. They are going through a lot more than most realize, so being heard and seen is super important for the parent as well as the child. Every time I meet a parent who says (usually through tears), “I have been looking for a place like this.” or “I’m so glad we finally found you guys.”, I know we are doing something that makes an important and positive difference.

There are a multitude of ways to be a part of our mission at Downside Up and help us continue to serve more families in the Chattanooga area. We are grateful for the love and support of our city that has nurtured us to where we are today, but we are growing and value your continued generosity.

ARTICLE BY THERESA NIX PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF DOWNSIDE

Our values say a lot about our day to day and how we develop our programs. We definitely care

about the child with a disability, but we also support the typically developing siblings and the needs

UP

A FAMILY FOR FAMILIES OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

EVERY TIME I MEET A PARENT WHO SAYS “I’M SO GLAD WE FINALLY FOUND YOU GUYS.”, I KNOW WE ARE DOING SOMETHING THAT MAKES AN IMPORTANT AND POSITIVE DIFFERENCE.

We have sponsorship opportunity levels throughout the year for our annual events: Charity Golf Open, Breathe/Moms’ Retreat, Witches & Wine, Rudolph Run/5K, Art/Craft Auction, and Camp Wakawalu family weekend.

We are an inclusive environment, so we encourage all families to participate in our programs. We are one of the few places that serve the child with a disability as well as the typically developing sibling(s) at our camps and classes. We have events for all age groups and all abilities. We give first priority registration and discounts to our members (anyone can become a member), but you do not have to be a member to join us. Please share our info with any family you feel needs to connect with a community of people who understand exactly where they are.

of the caretaker. We try to make everything we do as fun as possible while understanding that life is

completely unpredictable with ups and downs. We hope to be there for all of it!!

We are always looking for volunteers, teachers, and interns for our day camps, retreats, preschool programs, and annual events. Our website and social media sites always have news on our upcoming events, sponsorship opportunities, and volunteer options, but becoming a member or subscribing to our newsletter would get the information directly to your inbox.

Theresa Nix, Founder & CEO

McKamey Animal Center

FINDING PANDEMIC PETS THEIR FOREVER HOMES

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF MCKAMEY ANIMAL CENTER

McKamey Animal Center has been operating over humane capacity for quite some time as a direct result of the pandemic. The center is working tirelessly alongside its lifesaving partners and the community to navigate this crisis through large-scale adoption events.

This month, we have the privilege of featuring some of the center’s pets available for adoption. Visit McKamey’s website which is filled with resources to use and learn from and for the most up-to-date pet availability.

Jinx:  Jinx is MAC's longest resident! She is super energetic and playful and loves affection.

Barkston Bankston: Barkston has a personality as big as his name! He is an easy going pup who loves other dogs.

Alfred: Alfred is the sweetest, goofiest boy! He looks like an older gentleman, but as soon as there are toys around he morphs into a youthful, playful pup!

Blue : Blue is a naturally playful, curious, and trusting canine. He is a lap dog at heart and loves to snuggle with his humans.

Cheeks: Cheeks is a happy go-lucky boy who loves a good car ride and meeting new human friends!

Duke: Duke is such a good boy who just needs someone to keep showing him how wonderful the world and humans can be.

Jolly: Jolly is a sweet and affectionate boy! He gets so excited to greet people, he even smiles with all his teeth!

Luna: Luna is as cute as all her speckles! She is one of MAC's longest kitty residents and hopes to go home soon!

Raspberry : Raspberry loves love and is open to meet people and other doggo friends! She is very easy going and laid back.

Red: Red is an extremely sweet and social adult male looking for an active home where he can live life to the fullest.

Sklyer: Skyler LOVES to snuggle with her humans. She loves to explore and hit up the town with her new human friends.

Ward: Ward will be wheel and deal his way into your heart! He has shown us his toughness and resilience after coming in heartworm positive and with a spinal injury.

realty report

A sample of recently sold properties in Chattanooga.

ARTICLE BY BELINDA MARTIN & KENDRA SIMONS

New Horizons

REMARKABLE GRADS PURSUE THEIR PASSIONS

One of fewer than fifty people in the world to receive Japan’s prestigious Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Undergraduate Scholarship, Joshua “JT” Hood is the embodiment of a trailblazer.

Currently living in Japan on a full scholarship, JT is one of Brainerd High School’s four co-valedictorians for the 2022-2023 school year. With a transcript filled with as many AP classes as he could fit, JT scored a 34 on the ACT, and self-taught himself Japanese.

Despite these incredible achievements, though, JT says that he is most proud of going to State for basketball twice during his high school career. Once named All District and twice named All Region in basketball, JT notes, including practice time, he spends about six hours a day working out–one of his passions. JT’s mother Shayla told us, “My child got up every morning and rode his bike to school so the janitor could let him in to play ball. I love him more than life itself. He’s not perfect, but he broke a lot of barriers.”

We asked JT how others would describe him. He told us “They would say I’m an extremely hard worker that doesn’t give up until I achieve my goals. My greatest strength is probably never giving up.” Motivated by these goals and accomplishing new things, JT commented, “If my goal has to do with something that I know nothing about, then I will learn everything I have to about it.” The best advice he’s ever been given? “Sometimes things just aren’t meant to be. Don’t try to control things that you have no control over.”

As for advice for his freshman self? JT commented, “I would say to study more for the PSAT, because you’re going to regret being a few points [away from qualifying to be a] National Merit Scholar.”

I have to admit that when I was granted the honor of interviewing a few of our remarkable grads, I was elated for another chance to speak with Ooltewah High School’s Chasidy Burns. Having had the privilege of speaking with her in previous shoots, she gives me hope for the future–not just in regards to the younger generation, but for humanity overall.

Self-described as spontaneous and brutally honest, Chasidy has proven that she is steadfast and doesn’t mind being what she describes as “all over the place”. An advocate for mental health and self-awareness, Chasidy was not only cheer captain, but she also found a passion for science at a young age, determining she wanted to be a pediatric anesthesiologist in middle school. She takes pride in all that she does and understands the critical importance of leadership as well as boundaries.

You can’t help but be impressed by a young woman who is self-aware enough to choose not to cheer her freshman year at The University of Memphis in order to build her own community instead of defaulting to the one that is inevitably established among one’s team when pursuing athletics.

Explaining that on any given day, what motivates her varies, Chasidy notes she gains motivation from her incredible mother, her thoughtful boyfriend, or the rain which she tells us is the world cleansing itself–something we all need as individuals as well.

During our discussion of the best advice she’d ever been given, I couldn’t help but be amazed by Chasidy’s mental fortitude to understand that we all need to work a little harder on loving ourselves and not take things too seriously.

With Chasidy’s favorite part of Chattanooga being its southern hospitality, we know that while she won’t be too far, the unmistakable charm of Chattanooga will always bring her back home.

Lily And

Lily Andrews, a 2022 graduate of Signal Mountain Middle High School received the Girl Scouts Prestigious Gold Award when she created an ensemble that traveled to schools and children’s organizations without access to instruments. Lily told us, “We played Disney music and explained our instruments to spark the children’s interests. If I had to pick, this might be the thing I am most proud of because I had an impact on my community while proving to myself I can do anything I put my mind to.” The Gold Award is the highest achievement within the Girl Scouts of the USA, earned by Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts.

Motivated by her faith, the idea of what the future holds, and by her friends and family, Lily is currently pursuing a business degree with a focus on Entrepreneurship at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. She plans to pursue her dream of owning her own bakery and coffee shop alongside her sister.

During her time at Signal Mountain, Lily was a member of the Leo Club, Beta Club, National Honors Society, and a proud member of the Signal Corps Marching Band. Lily notes, “I also got the local Mary Ellen Locher scholarship both last year and recently for this year, which is something I am proud of.”

When asked about her favorite places in Chattanooga, Lily told us, “What I love most about Chattanooga is how it is the perfect place to grow up: from the play areas in Coolidge Park and the Pumpkin Patch, to grabbing Clumpies and walking on Walnut Street Bridge with friends. Niedlov’s, the Bread Basket, and Mean Mug are also some of my favorites.”

-BM

As a southern California native and a music head myself, Marquez “Q” Thompson had me at Kendrick Lamar. Now, the youngest of ten siblings is making his way to the West Coast after receiving over forty college acceptance letters with plans to attend Stanford University where he will major in Philosophy with a minor in Public Policy.

One of Brainerd High’s Schools four valedictorians, Marquez was Vice President of the National Honor Society Vice President, a member of the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga’s National Achievers Society and the YMCA Youth Trust, a ChattanoogaHamilton County Branch NAACP Youth Member, and a Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel P.C. Intern to name just a few of his accomplishments. Marquez’s incredible hard work earned him over $2 million dollars in scholarships.

Sociable, open-minded, and charismatic, when asked what motivates him, Marquez replied with a quote by Malcolm X which says, “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”

What I found most intriguing throughout our conversation was not his favorite restaurants which include: Taziki’s, Hibachi & Wings, Community Pie, Alimentari Cafe, and Giardino. Nor was it that he states the best advice he has ever been given was from his father who told him, “Your attitude determines your altitude.”, a motto he clearly lives by. No, what I found most intriguing was that he made no mention of being a nine year cancer survivor who has overcome blindness, seizures, hypertension, and memory loss. I found this out from our editor later, which then made the advice he would give to his freshmen self make a whole lot more sense.  Marquez told us, “The future is unpredictable and there will be many obstacles along the way. Follow your dreams and heart and God will guide you.”

Well, as much as I wish I could see the future and despite all of its unpredictability, something tells me this young man will surely be going very far.

With aspirations of becoming a travel nurse, East Ridge High School’s 2022-2023 Valedictorian plans to travel the world to learn about different cultures while continuing to pursue her passion for helping others.

Jada’s accomplishments are beyond extraordinary: Captain of the Cheerleading Squad, 2022-2023 Homecoming Queen, President of the National Honor Society, a leader on Student Council, and a member of the Beta Club, Chattanooga’s Upward Bound program, STEP-UP Chattanooga, and the Hamilton County Schools Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, Jada notes that the accomplishment of which she is most proud from her high school career is being named valedictorian. Jada’s course load consisted of all the honors, AP, and Dual Enrollment classes her schedule would allow and by graduation, Jada had not only become a Certified Medical Assistant, but she also received numerous awards and earned over $500,000 in scholarships.

When asked about her favorite parts about Chattanooga, Jada told us, “I love the scenery of Chattanooga, the balance of nature and city life allows us to get the best of both worlds. My favorite place to eat would definitely be Cheddars, the broccoli casserole and grilled salmon are my favorites.”

Hardworking, dedicated, reliable, the life of the party and an overall go-getter, Jada comments, “The best advice I’ve received is to “Protect your peace.” I actually received this advice from multiple people in different moments of my life, so it’s not only the best advice but my most needed advice as well.”

Words of wisdom to her freshman self? “Do what makes you happy. Your happiness is what’s most important. So, it’s okay to say “no” to certain things. It’s okay to take a break from a club or organization if it’s adding more stress to your plate and it is most definitely okay to let go of people in your life who are making it hard for you to succeed.”

-BM