Phillips To Share UCHS Memories At Top Ten Banquet

By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director

Union City, Tenn.–Justin Phillips has many fond memories of his days at Union City High School.

The 1995 UCHS graduate will share those along with other life experiences and beliefs as the featured speaker at the 35th annual Union City High School Academic Top 10 Banquet Monday night.

The Top 10 from each of the four classes at Union City High School – based on grade point averages – will be recognized at the banquet, which is set for 6:30 in the high school gymnasium.

Phillips, who received his Ph. D in Christian Ethics from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Ca., is a published author who currently serves as the Executive Editor of The Other Journal and an adjunct professor at Carson-Newman University and Johnson University among several other capacities.

He was involved in the “full school experience” while a student at UCHS, serving as Vice President of the Student Government Association, a class favorite, member of the Top 10, and an officer in two different clubs while also running track and playing in the band.

Dr. Phillips laughed when asked to recall some of his most fond memories of his Golden Tornado days.

“I remember the band trips… the track trips. Being on a bus, there’s nostalgia from the smell of diesel fuel on those trips,” he chuckled. “I think I was generally involved in just about everything. Most everyone was enjoyable, and I am indebted for many of the experiences I had at Union City Schools.”

Phillips mentioned specifically a small handful of teachers and administrators who were constants at both school and church, saying: “I know I was cared for as a student and a young person.

“It was a good place to be and a good place to grow up.”

Phillips and his wife Erin – a judicial clerk at the criminal court of appeals in Knoxville – are involved in several community endeavors in addition to their professional careers.

He’s held an impressive number of positions at multiple universities and churches after graduating first from Union University in Jackson with a B.A. in political science and then earning a Master of Divinity from Duke University Divinity.

Phillips lists a return to the high school classroom a few years back as one of his most-fond professional experiences.

“A few years ago, I accepted a teaching position that required me to transition to high school for the first time in 10 years,” he recalled. “Most of my teaching experience had been at the college level, and I naturally went into the job with some apprehension.

“After three years, I realized I didn’t just endure it, I loved it. I tried something new and didn’t go at it halfway. I did it, and, at the end of my tenure, I felt I did well and was good at it.”

Dr. Phillips said he’ll touch on several topics in his Monday night address to UCHS scholars, including courage and its importance in today’s society.

“I’ll speak a little about courage… or at least what I understand it to be,” he said. “I’ll give my thoughts on why we need courage with our young people and future leaders now more than ever.

“They need courage to try new things and not be afraid of failure.”

Phillips’ sister, Sarah, is a 1998 UCHS graduate who now lives in Michigan, while his parents, Randy and Ruth, moved to Jackson from Union City in 2004.

Among the UCHS students to be honored at Monday’s prestigious event are: