School
May 14, 2025 by Tammy Cheek
Farragut High School recently named its valedictorian and salutatorian, Sophi Lu and Eric Zhang, respectively.
Both said they were surprised they were selected.
“I didn’t expect it,” said Lu, daughter of Qi Qi and Wei Lu. “I’m really honored to represent Farragut High School as valedictorian.
“It did feel really great, though,” said Zhang, son of Xiang Zhang and Juan Bai. “I’ve put a lot of effort into studying for my classes, and I can’t deny that it was a good feeling to see my efforts pay off.
“Overall, my time at FHS was great,” he added. “I loved a lot about this school, but the definite standouts were the club opportunities.
“I participated in a lot of clubs, and I found it was a great way to meet new friends who were passionate about the same stuff that I liked.”
Detailing Lu’s, Zhang’s paths
“Spending time with my teachers and friends fostered the most growth whilst I was at Farragut,” Lu said. “I had a really great time.”
While at FHS, Lu was a United States Senate Youth Tennessee representative, a Girls State Nationalist chair and a Los Altos Institution speaker.
She also received the NASA Earth Systems Award, U.S. Air Force Award and state and regional awards at Science Olympiad Tennessee.
Read More
May 14, 2025 by Tammy Cheek
Kendall Hubbs recently received personal news that, to her, was surprising yet wonderful: she was named Bearden High School valedictorian.
“I was honestly in shock,” Hubbs said. “I couldn’t believe it; my jaw hit the floor.”
Likewise, Grace Page was surprised she was chosen BHS salutatorian.
“I was not expecting rankings to be released that day, and I also did not expect to be ranked so high,” she recalled. “While I was very shocked, I also felt very honored by this achievement.”
Detailing Hubbs’ paths
As a freshman, “I remember walking into Bearden and feeling so small, so nervous,” said Hubbs, daughter of Joe and Shasta Hubbs. “I remember thinking to myself that four years is ‘such a long time to be in high school’ that I had all the time in the world.
“Now looking back, I realize just how fast it all went by,” the valedictorian added. “How I can now say it? I am a confident young woman who has a powerful voice and knows that I can change the world.”
At BHS, Hubbs earned the Bearden’s Best Award ’2; was president of the Senior Committee, secretary of Latin Club, co-founder and president of Mock Trial her sophomore year, member of Member of Key Club, National Honor Society and Model United Nations and played varsity softball for four years.
The valedictorian plans to attend University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and major in public policy. Hubbs plans to “go to T-14 Law School and be a corporate attorney.”
As she leaves Bearden High, Hubbs advises underclassmen: “standardized tests don’t define you as a student. It can’t measure heart. What does is perseverance.”
Never loosing your edge, “even when the world is trying to tell you how great you are,” the valedictorian added.
Read More
May 14, 2025 by Tammy Cheek
Expressing his joy about earning valedictorian honors at Webb School of Knoxville, senior Grayson Rosenblad immediately cited two reasons.
“I felt rewarded for my hard work, but mostly I was excited to be granted the opportunity to address my class at graduation,” said Rosenblad, who is joined at the top by Ryan Schwartz, Webb salutatorian.
“Webb School has introduced me to the most wonderful community of peers and teachers, who all have helped me grow in a way that I cannot possibly articulate accurately,” he added.
The son of Minna and Peter Rosenblad, “I have worked through so many challenges as a Webb student, whether academic, social, athletic, etc., and that was truly only made possible with the support I found in this community, this family,” the valedictorian said.
“I am incredibly honored and grateful to be named salutatorian,” said Schwartz, daughter of Anne and Dan Schwartz. “While I am proud of the effort I have put in, I am especially thankful for the support from my teachers, family and classmates who’ve helped me grow over the years.
“My experience at Webb has shaped me into the person I am today,” she added. “Webb has taught me the importance of hard work, resilience and meaningful connection.
“The culture at Webb consistently challenges students to give 100 percent, not only academically but in all their endeavors.”
Read More
