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- [S74] Atchley Funeral Home Records, Volume IV, 1987-1999, Larry D. Fox, (Smoky Mountain Historical Society), 19 Jun 1996.
Beverly Kay Booth Oakley obituary
- [S106] The Mountain Press, 2 Feb 2006.
Gatlinburg-Pittman seniors named Presidential Scholars
GATLINBURG - It's not like seniors Lindsay Oakley and Justin Holeman haven't been honored enough for their academic achievements at Gatlinburg-Pittman High School.
They will have to make room on their shelves for another honor. The students have been named Presidential Scholars, meaning they are recognized as some of the nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors.
Approximately 2,600 candidates are recognized on their academic achievements, based on high scores from the SAT or ACT. The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects up to 121 academic scholars and up to 20 arts scholars.
Oakley and Holeman will travel to Washington in June to be recognized with other scholars from all over the nation.
Both students were surprised upon hearing the news.
"I was a bit confused at first because I hadn't heard of it before," Holeman said. "I really didn't know what it was. Once I found out what it was and what I was going to get to do if I win, I was really excited. I can't wait."
"I was a bit shocked actually, because I wasn't expecting any kind of scholarship that big," Oakley said. "I was expecting National Merit and other things, but they were something you had to work for. This was just given to me."
"It's not a monetary scholarship," said Holeman. "When we take the trip to Washington, D.C., we get to meet with several politicians, authors and scientists. Other than that, it's really just an award and something that looks really good."
Holeman plans to attend Tennessee Tech on a full scholarship, and later plans to transfer to a more prestigious technical school such as Georgia Tech or Cal Tech. Oakley will attend Carson-Newman College and later plans to attend Revolution, a Missouri school for worship, leadership and technology.
Both students' families reacted differently when told of the honor.
"They were as confused as I was, but my parents were thrilled," Holeman said.
"My parents were mad at me because they had to hear it from the radio and not from me. I wanted to surprise them but it didn't work too well," Oakley said with a laugh.
Don Bohanan, G-P guidance counselor, said there have only been three or four Presidential Scholars since he's been in his position.
"We've never had two at one time," he said. "A couple of years ago we had one and the others have been scattered out the rest of the way.
"We hope we can keep it up," Bohanan said. "A lot of it is contributed to the smaller size and academic atmosphere of our school. We hope to keep fostering that feeling and do the same things we've been doing."
* jkindred@themountainpress.com
- [S84] E-Mail, Lindsay Oakley [Linz41488@aol.com], 17 Feb 2007.
- [S84] E-Mail, Tommy "T" Oakley [oakleyt@goldmail.etsu.edu], 14 Feb 2011.
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
OAKLEY, TOMMY LEE BOOTH, BEVERLY KAY 1977-09-26
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