By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–You can get there from here.
Noted New York City Law School professor and philanthropist Ron Filler ensured members of the Union City High School Top Ten that indeed the sky is the limit for their future at Monday’s 34th annual academic banquet.
“I want you to take out your cellphones and type in three things and save them,” Filler instructed the honored students in a large crowd that also included their parents, sponsors of the event and a few of Filler’s classmates. “I want you to type ‘I can be what I want to be.’ Then, I want you to type ‘I can do what I want to do.’ And, finally, I want you to type ‘I can go wherever my dreams want to take me.’
“Save that. It’s really your life. You’re smart enough to take you wherever you want to go.”
Filler, a 1966 UCHS graduate, was the guest speaker at the event that recognizes the 10 best grade point averages in each class. He often referenced that he proudly hails from a small town, and that the Union City School System was critical in providing him a great foundation that saw him go on to live in both Chicago and New York — thriving professionally in each of those big-city environments.
“When people from New York or Chicago ask me where I’m from, I tell them I grew up about halfway between Monkey’s Eyebrow and Frog Jump,” he laughed, noting the two communities near Paducah, Ky., and Ripley, respectively.
“Obviously, nobody much has heard of those two places.”
Filler has currently given 111 scholarships to the University of Illinois, his college alma mater, and several others to the NYLS. He admittedly gets greater joy, however, from mentoring the young people who receive his generous financial aid gifts.
“I love to help young people,” he claimed. “The relationships you forge, they’re more lasting to me than giving the scholarship grants. “
Filler also entertained those in attendance with a handful of humorous tales from his Union City upbringing and time in the UC School System. He recalled stories that included Union City teaching icon Wilford Gray and longtime band director Marion Reithel along with football coach Ray Wooten.
Filler, who last year logged over 150,000 miles while teaching at NYLS and traveling to speaking engagements, also encouraged students to “be focused, be organized, and be disciplined and you will succeed.
“You’ve been given the tools and foundations you need to be successful in life with your education at Union City Schools. What you’ve received here is amazing. You’re as smart as any students out there in public or private education.
“Reach for the stars. Follow your heart.”
Union City High School Principal Jacob Cross welcomed those to the dinner before Director of Schools Wes Kennedy introduced Filler.
In his remarks, Cross proudly revealed that this year’s senior class had 19 of 107 members who’d scored 30 or above on the ACT, roughly 18 percent of the class. The average ACT score of the magnet school at UCHS was an impressive 29.3.
The competition for a seat on the Top 10 was so fierce, Cross pointed out, that six students who made 30 or better on the ACT did not make the Top 10.
“Our students really push each other to be their best academically and that’s something we’re really proud of,” the Union City High School top administrator said.
Filler closed his speech by encouraging students to “go home and write down two things on two separate pieces of paper.
“I want you to make a bucket list,” he instructed. “That’s basically a list of things you want to do before you ‘kick the bucket.’ Keep updating it and revising it. Try to achieve those dreams.
“Then, on that second piece of paper, I want you to write a thank-you note to somebody. It can be a parent, a grand-parent, any family member. Whomever you write it to will appreciate it more than you’ll ever know. Learn to write on paper.”
Those honored at Monday’s Top Ten banquet included:
SENIORS
Austin Atwill, Chloe Cook, Will Hogan, Kendraya Maddox, Brad Schlager, Dawson Searcy, Will Suiter, Claire Tanner, Claire Thomason and Jacob Virgin.
JUNIORS
Hudson Calfee, Briley Coffey, Caroline Conley, Reice Gray, Kyle Herrell, Blade Johnson, Trey Smith, Sam Theobald, Haley Thomas and Davie Townes.
SOPHOMORES
Grace Baker, Dalton Bone, Elijah Cavalier, Alexander Cox, Alyssa Fields, Tammy Huynh, Ben Martinek, Ben McMillan, Gabriel Qualls and Leah Wisener.
FRESHMEN
Kamia Cross, Emily Fields, Hope Kennedy, Elizabeth Lattus, Silas Petty, Arden Stanley, Olivia Tanner, Kobe Terrell, Sara Ullrich and Annie Wade.
Photo by Mike Hutchens.
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