By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Students from four different Union City Elementary School classes were honored Wednesday morning by receiving the Top Tornado Award in ceremonies in the school gymnasium.
The prestigious Top Tornado accolades are presented to students in each PreK-2nd grade class roughly every nine weeks. In all, 73 students were recognized by UCES principal David Byars, assistant principal Thel Taylor and school system social worker Felicia Freeman.
Students are selected for the award based on behavior, work ethic and kindness to others.
Many parents, grandparents and other family members of the honorees were in attendance at the ceremonies. Recipients were recognized for their admirable actions over the first nine weeks of the 2021-22 school year.
Among those chosen to receive the honors were (see photos):
PRE-K
Front row, from left: Mayco Chavez, Aria Lewis, Emma Rucker, Malasia Alexander, Christopher Boyle;
Middle row, from left: Will Parker Cruce, Rett Conner, Ayinaj Dillard, Caldwell Lucas, Houston Frilling;
Back row, from left: Addilynn Harris, Kani Maddox, Addison Jones, Ja’Breeya Robinson, David Sims.
KINDERGARTEN
Front row, from left: Nathan Hardy, Luka Lozier, Asher Theriac, Antonia Siquin Chavez, Zaydenn Fuller, Caroline Pilla, Elijah Ganaway;
Middle row, from left: Charlie Parks, Blakely Quinn, Ollie Keathley, Kathryn Stephenson, Finlee Wisniewski, James Burnette, Crimson Davis;
Back row, from left: Wendy Trejo Xol, Carson Luttrell, Kennedy Pate, Estefany Tinajero, Nora Kate Lattus, Braxton Phillips, Yunior Pastor Tsi.
FIRST GRADE
Front row, from left: Poppy Parks, Brandt Sherwood, Julia Kate Cruce, Inaki Vazquez, Mateo Rico-Rivera, Kora Jess Powers;
Middle row, from left: Luke Howell, Piper Rhenberg, Lennon Taylor, Olivia Allen, Brie Barker, Nora Keathley;
Back row, from left: Carlisle Peery, Brayan, Xona-Pastor, Ryn Conner, Danica Bell, Clara Elliott, Elias Lopez.
SECOND GRADE
Front row, from left: Tegan Lindsey, Charlie Phillips, Giovanni Rodriquez, TiMario Albea, Alexa Serrano, Payton McElrath;
Middle row, from left: Skylar Rae Alexander, Pilar Martinez Maldonado, Hudson Toon, Doris Williams, Ella Duncan;
Back, from left: Maimona Altareb, Layne Jorge, Aryia Esters, Jack Walker, McKinzie Weber, Rylan Simpson;
Not pictured: Porter Reed Roberson, Jackson Williams.
Photo: Kindergarten’s Top Tornadoes.