150 graduate as Tennessee Scholars

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (May 29, 2008)—May’s pomp and circumstance at area high schools brought with it the largest group of graduating Tennessee Scholars to date.

Tennessee Scholars, a rewards-and recognition program, is coordinated by the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce and functions in cooperation with the Bradley County and Cleveland City School Systems and members of the local business community to give students an edge with college and industry recruiters.

The class of 2008 boasted 150 graduating Tennessee Scholars: 51 at Bradley Central High School, 28 at Cleveland High School and 71 at Walker Valley High School. These students have taken more rigorous courses, including four years of higher-level math; had 95-percent attendance; completed 20 hours of volunteer service; and had no out-of-school suspensions.

“Graduation gives us an opportunity to award certificates and medallions to our certified Tennessee Scholars,” Sherry Crye, coordinator of Tennessee Scholars, said. “Several of these 150 senior Scholars were also awarded a $1,500 scholarship to continue their education at Cleveland State Community College.”

This workforce development initiative of the Chamber of Commerce has grown steadily as students and their parents realize the benefits of participating in the Tennessee Scholars program. More than 800 students are currently enrolled in the program as they pursue their high school diploma.

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