By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Four well-deserving Union City High School juniors have been chosen as delegates for Boys and Girls State.
Owen Rodgers and Hayden Kennedy, along with Emma Powell and Kate Schlager, were picked by school officials as 2022 representatives of UCHS for the annual conferences that promote citizenship and leadership while also exploring the mechanics of American government and politics.
Gage Smith and Leah Beth Edmaiston were selected as alternates for the programs.
This year’s boys’ conference will be held May 22-27 at Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, while girls’ representatives from the state will gather at Lipscomb University in Nashville, May 29-June 4.
More than 600 boys representing every county in Tennessee will make up the 82nd version of the American Legion-sponsored week-long activities, first held in 1935. Boys must be ranked in the upper third of their class academically to be eligible to be chosen as a delegate.
The American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) sponsors Girls State, which held its initial conference in 1937 and will be celebrating its 76th year.
The Philian Review Club made a donation to help fund the UCHS girls state delegates. So did Patsy Dickerson, in honor of her daughters Nan Dickerson Beaty and Millie Dickerson Minton, who attended the conference while students at Union City.
The Union City delegates are as follows:
- Rodgers is a member of the school’s illustrious 30+ ACT Club and has ranked in his class’s Top 10 academically as a freshman and sophomore. He has served as Class President, is a member of the 3D Engineering Club, the Key Club, and participates in the band and the tennis team.
Rodgers was also involved with the Obion County Youth Leadership program as a 10th grader and plans to attend college and major in engineering.
- Kennedy has been a Class Favorite for two years and is a member of Skills USA and the Beta Club. He is additionally involved in Young Life. Kennedy is a two-time All-Region selection for the Golden Tornado football team and enjoys fishing, playing golf and hunting.
He will consider a career as a construction manager or teacher/football coach after graduation.
- Miss Powell’s list of activities and involvement is a lengthy one and includes Class President for two years, Obion County Youth Leadership, Beta Club, Key Club and an officer role in Skills USA.
She’s been honored as Student of the Month, a SCOPE delegate and chosen as a Rotary Club travel delegate. She also earned a spot in the Top 10 of her class as a freshman. She’s been a team captain of the Lady Tornado volleyball squad and is a UCHS softball team member.
Powell is involved in the Crosswind Church student ministry and has worked in guest services at Discovery Park of America. She plans to attend Samford University to seek a degree in communications.
- Schlager, likewise, has been busy and has a complete resume. A member of the 30+ ACT Club, she’s placed in the Top 10 in the Union City Magnet School, been a Student of the Month recipient, and a part of Student Excel in Honors English and Personal Finance. She has also experienced Obion County Youth Leadership and has been a three-year member of the Beta Club and Key Club.
Schlager is a member of the UCHS band color guard and the tennis team, holds a class officer position, and has been involved in SCOPE. She’s assisted with Camp Rock as a summer activity and enjoys reading and watching Formula One racing.
She plans to attend a four-year university after high school graduation.
- Smith has intentions of attending UT Martin to major in engineering. He’s a two-time all-region football selection and is also a track team and the Pep Club member.
He’s involved in Young Life and has been honored as a Kiwanis Student of the Month.
- Edmaiston is a member of the tennis and band programs, as well as the Key Club. She’s been actively involved in the Second Baptist Church youth group, VBS, and choir and has been picked for Student of the Month honors by the Kiwanis Club.
Edmaiston enjoys painting, reading, and playing tennis and plans on a career in nutrition after attending college.