Fifth graders were honored at the annual Recognition Day awards ceremony, and three fourth graders won individual awards.

Honors for the fifth graders included academics and selected individual achievement. Students were recognized for participating in various activities such as handbells, chorus, after school classes, sports and music lessons.

Two fifth graders, Mamie Treadwell and Gunnar Boggs, gave Spanish orations.

A summary of individual awards:

DAR History: Calvin Caputo

DAR Citizenship: Gunnar Boggs

Helen C. Murray Geography Award: Whit Higney

Center Community Service: Mary Elizabeth Hicks

Kilbride Scholarship: Clark Anderson

Z. Lupton Patten Scholarship: Stella Reyes

Douglas Moore Sportsmanship Scholarship: Grant Perry

Linda Mines, regent of the Chief John Ross Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, presented two awards.

DAR Citizenship Award: Sponsored by the local DAR chapter, fifth-grade students submitted an essay from a pre-selected writing prompt based on citizenship and patriotism. All essays were submitted using a number value (no name) and were reviewed separately by independent readers who selected the top essay.

The writing prompt was: Throughout your time at Bright School, you have learned about important character traits and responsibilities which help each of us to become good citizens in our school, community, country and even world. In fact, part of our school mission states: “The Bright School builds a foundation upon which students become wise and compassionate citizens of the world.” Describe a good citizen. Include important character traits and responsibilities of good citizens. Tell about a personal experience when you were a wise and compassionate citizen.

This year’s winner wrote: “A good citizen is mindful, takes others’ feelings into consideration, sets a positive example, and is inclusive.” The winner described befriending other students, asking people how their day is going and helping around the house and in the neighborhood. The essay finishes by saying, “My favorite part of being a good citizen is making people laugh and smile.” Our winner certainly does all of those things. This year’s winner is Gunnar Boggs.

DAR History Award: Fifth-grade students submitted an essay from a pre-selected writing prompt based on history. All essays were submitted using a number value (no name) and were reviewed separately by independent readers who selected the top essay.

The writing prompt was: During your time at Bright School, you have studied different time periods and events in our country’s history. Which historical event do you feel had the biggest impact on the United States? Why?

The winner chose to write about the Louisiana Purchase because it “doubled the size of the United States” and “the land was rich with natural resources.” The Louisiana Purchase also helped with trade and protection. The essays goes on to say, “This purchase also helped pave the way for westward expansion. …Truly, President Jefferson made an impressive decision on purchasing the land.” This year’s winner is Calvin Caputo.

Helen C. Murray Geography Award: Erin Worthington ‘95

Mrs. Murray taught at Bright School from 1979 to 1998. The award, given by her family, is based on a deep understanding of geography and an appreciation of other world cultures. Students were administered a national level geography test with the highest score chosen for this award.

This year’s winner is Whit Higney.

Spanish Orations

During the fifth graders' time at Bright School students have been immersed on a regular basis in learning the Spanish language and culture, for many students it has provided not only new language skills, but also cultural moments that they will carry with them into middle school and beyond.

Gunnar Boggs  

Hola, mi nombre es Gunnar Boggs. Llegué a la escuela Bright en tercer grado cuando me mudé a Chattanooga. Después de mi primer día, me consoló saber que todos querían ser amigos del "chico nuevo". ¡Conocí a los mejores amigos y maestros que podría haber deseado! Gracias a mis maestros, compañeros de clase y a todos por enseñarme a amar la escuela y ser un buen ciudadano de mi comunidad. Un buen ciudadano lidera con confianza, escucha a los demás y es un amigo inclusivo. A todos mis compañeros de clase, mientras crecemos, recordemos nuestra amistad. ¡Los graduados de la escuela Bright son únicos porque somos curiosos, decididos e inspiradores!

Hi, my name is Gunnar Boggs. I came to Bright School in 3rd grade when I moved to Chattanooga. After my first day, I was relieved to know everyone wanted to be friends with the “new kid”. I met the nicest friends and teachers I could have wished for! Thank you to my teachers, classmates, and everyone for teaching me to love school and to be a good citizen of my community. A good citizen leads with confidence, listens to others, and is an inclusive friend. To all of my classmates, as we grow up, let’s remember our friendships. Bright graduates are unique, because we are curious, determined, and inspiring!

Mamie Treadwell

 ¡Hola a todos! Mi nombre es Mamie Treadwell. Desde que entré al edificio hace tres años, me ha encantado la escuela Bright, todos los estudiantes y profesores. ¡Toda la gente es increíble! Están dispuestos a ayudarte con cualquier cosa y siempre se unen a los juegos y se divierten con todos los estudiantes. Tengo tantos buenos recuerdos de mi breve tiempo en Bright, el día de la Colonia en tercer grado, proyectos de los estados en cuarto, nuestros amigos de Kínder así como nuestra fantástica obra de teatro en quinto grado. ¡Y muchos más!

¡Gracias escuela Bright por todo!

Hi everyone! My name is Mamie Treadwell. Ever since I stepped into the building three years ago, I have loved Bright School and all of the many students and faculty. All of the people are amazing! They are willing to help you out with anything, and are always joining into games and having fun with everyone. I have so many great memories of my short time at Bright, Colonial Day in 3rd grade, state projects in 4th, Kindergarten Buddies, as well as our fantastic play in 5th, and so many more!

Thank you Bright School for everything!

Advanced Spanish Class: Cindy Avendano: They have come early in the morning and sacrificed hours of work, but it has all paid off. They have become an outstanding group of students. When I call your name please stand at your seat and we will recognize everyone who participated in the Advanced Spanish program with a round of applause after the last name is called.

Mamie Treadwell
Gunnar Boggs
Mary Elizabeth Hicks
Zoan von Schultz

Reading Awards: Allie Hyer

This year, we are recognizing outstanding students in reading, writing and math. These students achieved a 90 average or higher in these classes.

When we call your name, please come to the podium to accept your certificate, walk across the stage and go back to your seat.

The Reading students are:

Whit Batson
Olivia Brewer
Helen Davenport
Keaton Furrow
Anna Grace Hitchcock
Anna Kopet
Emma Murchison
Harlan Soss
Wiley Thompson
Mamie Treadwell
Alice Aupperle
Gunnar Boggs
Calvin Caputo
Emma Haluska
Mary Elizabeth Hicks
Whit Higney
Aggie Howard
Margaret Kalra
Hayes Naggar
Nayana Vardhana
Tate Watson
Cooper Webb
Ade Akinlaja
Harper Barto
Bennett Born
Emma Hunt
Norris Jackson
Eleanor Kates
Mary Cleveland Oxford
Bo Valentine
Chandler Eichelberger

Writing: Ann O’Brien

The Writing Students are:

Gunnar Boggs                                      Chandler Eichelberger                                Alice Aupperle

Bennett Born                                         Keaton Furrow                                              Whit Batson

Calvin Caputo                                        Anna Grace Hitchcock                           Helen Davenport

Emma Haluska                                      Emma Hunt                                          Preston Freeman

Mary Elizabeth Hicks                             Norris Jackson                                      Aggie Howard

Whit Higney                                           Anna Kopet                                         Gracie Manning

John Wyatt Howard                               Mary Cleveland Oxford                        Emma Murchison

Margaret Kalra                                       Harlan Soss

Eleanor Kates                                        Wiley Thompson                                       

Hayes Naggar                                        Mamie Treadwell

Bo Valentine                                          

Nayana Vardhana

Tate Watson

Cooper Webb

 

Math: Wendy Rogers

 

The math students are:

Aggie Howard
Norris Jackson
Cade Niel
Zoan von Schultz
Brody Hirt
Mary Cleveland Oxford
Ade Akinlaja
Whit Batson
Helen Davenport
Preston Freeman
Eleanor Kates
Emma Murchison
Bo Valentine
Gunnar Boggs
Calvin Caputo
Chandler Eichelberger
Keaton Furrow
Emma Haluska
Mary Elizabeth Hicks
Whit Higney
Anna Grace Hitchcock
Anna Kopet
Margaret Kalra
Hayes Naggar
Harlan Soss
Wiley Thompson
Mamie Treadwell
Nayana Vardhana
Tate Watson
Cooper Webb

Center Community Service Award: Austin Center ‘85

The Center Community Service Award is in honor of my brothers Sherman, and Trent, and my sister Celeste, and me, who graduated from Bright School. It is awarded to a fifth grader who demonstrates a commitment to volunteerism, and realizes community service not only enhances our community, but also enriches our lives.

This year’s winner is involved in many activities and community service projects.

Through the Girl Scouts, she helped with

  • The Ronald McDonald House Tab Collection
  • Making toys and bandanas for dogs at the McKamey Animal Shelter. Our winner loves dogs and horses!
  • Promoting and preparing for the Daddy-Daughter Dance that raised money for the McClellan Family Shelter
  • And meal preparation and food delivery    

In the Community, she took part in the Tennessee  River Cleanup and helped the Tennessee Aquarium debut the Seabin mechanism that collects trash and debris in the river.

She also helped prepare meals for the Community Kitchen and volunteered at the Red Bank Food Bank.

This year’s winner is Mary Elizabeth Hicks. 

 Kilbride Scholarship: Mary Kilbride

Good morning! My name is Mary Kilbride, and I am here to present the Benjamin W. Kilbride Memorial Scholarship. Our family and the board of trustees created this scholarship in 2001 in memory of my son, Ben.

The scholarship is awarded to a rising fifth grader who is a leader, takes and shows an interest in other students throughout the school, exhibits a contagious enthusiasm for life, and is a student in good standing.

This year’s recipient is the type of student every teacher wants in her classroom. He is caring and respectful of his peers and is always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needs it. This student’s calm demeanor and passion for learning make him both a great classroom partner and a fantastic friend.

Ms. Dickson says she loves having this student in her homeroom and writing class. This student  “always comes in with a smile, ready and prepared for the day. He works hard at everything he does and holds himself to an extremely high standard, which makes him a great role model for younger students and his peers.”

Mrs. Von says the recipient “is a dedicated student whose enthusiasm for learning is always apparent in the classroom.”

Ms. Waddell says the recipient is a “self-motivated and enthusiastic learner who often thinks outside the box and is able to successfully share his thinking with his peers.”

This year’s recipient is Clark Anderson. 

Patten-Moore Scholarships: Lupton Winningham ‘77

The Z. Lupton Patten Scholarship is in honor of my grandfather, who was truly devoted to Bright School. He served on the Board of Trustees from 1943 to 1958 and was a great friend and advisor to the school founder, Miss Bright. You can see his picture in the hallway outside the theater.

This scholarship honors the top academic student in the fourth grade. This student has demonstrated overall excellence in all classes, earning the highest cumulative grade point average in reading, writing and math.

Teachers describe this student as an all-around fantastic student. On top of being a leader among her peers, this student is academically talented in all subject areas. She is able to brilliantly balance her life outside of school with all the academic demands of her grade level. Her curiosity and thirst for knowledge make her the type of student that will go far in life as she chases down all the goals she sets for herself and all the dreams she can think up. We are so proud of her hard work and cannot wait to see what she accomplishes in the future.

The 2023 recipient of the Z. Lupton Patten Scholarship is Stella Reyes. 

The Douglas Beall Moore Jr. Sportsman Scholarship is in honor of my cousin, Douglas, who graduated from Bright School in 1981. He enjoyed sports and P.E. at Bright School. This scholarship is awarded to a fourth grade boy who exemplifies fair play and sportsmanship. This year’s winner participated in cross country, soccer, basketball, and track and has received the Bright Fit award. Students who receive the Bright Fit award display safety, positive attitude, listening skills, participation, leadership and sportsmanship.

This is what the P.E. coaches say about this year’s winner: This student always leads by example in and outside of the gym. His hard work, dedication, teamwork, and love of athletics is the perfect example of this award. He is a pleasure to teach and is a leader among his peers!

The recipient of the Douglas Beall Moore Jr. Sportsman Scholarship is Grant Perry.