Community
February 25, 2021 by Michelle Hollenhead
Hardin Valley Academy 2011 graduate Scott “Impy” Impellizeri dreamed of college and becoming a Knoxville Police Department SWAT officer, but a tragic accident cut his plans and life short just before he was set to attend Middle Tennessee State University.
In the wake of his untimely death, his parents, Tracy and John Impellizeri, have helped 37 college-bound high school seniors achieve their own dreams by providing scholarships in Scott’s memory since 2012.
Known by his father’s nickname “Impy” as he got older, Scott made his mark in the world through “a true passion for helping others,” Tracy recalled, describing him as a “leader and mentor” with a personality “that drew people to him.”
Applications for this year’s Scott “Impy” Impellizeri Memorial Scholarship currently are being taken.
The effort has grown to include two $1,000 scholarships, which are earmarked for books, supplies or other miscellaneous school-related expenses.
The first is available to seniors at Hardin Valley Academy planning to attend a two- or four-year college/university with a demonstrated passion for helping others.
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Abbott spells out Boy Scout lessons learned
February 25, 2021 by Tammy Cheek
Farragut Boy Scout Evan Abbott recently earned the rank of Eagle Scout after helping renovate the youth area of his church, Robertsville Baptist Church in Oak Ridge, as an Eagle Scout project.
Abbott, son of Jack and Darlene Abbott of Farragut, is a member of the Great Smoky Mountain Council Toqua District Troop 444, sponsored by Farragut Presbyterian Church.
As part of the project, he designed and constructed a cabinet and countertop in the youth area, installed new flooring in the food service room and painted the game room.
“Our youth group used the area frequently (until the pandemic), and I thought giving back to my church would be a gift to our youth groups for years to come,” Abbott said. “I started visualizing and planning the project in 2018, but the project began at the church on May 4, 2019.”
He completed the remodel May 27, 2019, and earned his Eagle Scout award in December 2020. Abbott was presented his Eagle Scout award at Farragut Presbyterian Church Tuesday, Feb. 23.
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February 25, 2021 by
It’s always a fun time at The Villages of Farragut Senior Living community in Farragut, even in the middle of a pandemic. Residents and staff dressed up in their finest at a recent “Snow Ball,”
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February 25, 2021 by Tammy Cheek
Knox County Schools’s eighth-graders will be able to learn about area career opportunities with a virtual Career Expo, taking place the week of Monday, March 1, through Friday, March 5.
Hosted by Knox County Schools Career and Technical Education and presented by Pellissippi State Community College, students will be able to interact with speakers, take part in live events and visit a virtual exhibit hall.
Other sponsors include Trane, Industry Sector sponsor in the area of Architecture, Design and Construction, as well as Knox County and City of Knoxville governments.
“Students will participate through their Knox County middle school, and the plans developed at the school level,” said Dr. Keith Wilson, Career and Technical Education director for Knox County Schools. “Students will have an individual log-in that they will use for the Virtual Exhibit Hall, and schools will manage the schedule for the week regarding which live events will be available during the day for student participation.”
He noted there is no registration process other than the student access information, which will be handled at the school level.
“Each day during the week of March 1-5, there will be several live events available throughout the day to students through Microsoft Teams,” Wilson added. “Each middle school will be building a plan for student engagement in these live events based upon the master schedule for eighth-grade students.
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February 25, 2021 by Tammy Cheek
The Hardin Valley community continues to grow with business and residential developments, seeing more economic success — but also experiencing growth pains of infrastructure needs and traffic.
Hardin Valley community activist Kim Frazier, a 25-year resident of “The Valley,” addressed that growth and community needs as Rotary Club of Farragut’s featured speaker during its Wednesday, Feb. 10, virtual meeting.
“As you know, our area continues to be the fastest growing in all of Knox County,” said Frasier, director and founder of Hardin Valley Planning Advocates. “We continue to advocate for intentional growth with coordinated infrastructure, and have brought much attention to the needs of our community.”
She said while Knox County’s growth is 1.2 percent, Hardin Valley’s growth is 3.8 percent. “We have had 400 new dwellings in one year,” she noted, adding the area saw 7,000 more jobs in 2015.
In contact with Town of Farragut leaders to tackle a joint transportation issue, “We want to be good neighbors to you (in) Farragut. Mayor (Ron) Williams and Vice Mayor (Louise) Povlin and (HVPA) have had so many conversations about being good stewards to each other,” Frazier said. “And Campbell Station is really the in and out — the connection — between our communities.
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