Photo courtesy of Union City Schools
By: Mike Hutchens, Union City Schools Communications Director
One specific email made Ella Palmer’s college choice a whole lot easier.
The Union City High School senior was recently notified that she was the recipient of the prestigious Distinguished Tennessean Scholarship Award that provides full tuition and mandatory fees to the University of Tennessee at Knoxville for four years.
“I was having some indecisiveness (about where to attend college), but the news swayed me, for sure,” Palmer said. “UT was always a top option for me. This news certainly made it even more attractive. I believe I’ll fit in well there.”
One student from each of Tennessee’s 95 counties is awarded the DTSA. Those eligible must have a minimum 3.2 UT core weighted grade point average and demonstrate well-roundedness with a strong commitment to their community.
Palmer easily fits those criteria.
She’s ranked in the Top 10 in her class for four years and is a member of the school’s prestigious 30+ ACT Club. Palmer has been chosen as a WestStar Leadership participant, selected for the English National Beta Test, and served as a class officer.
Ella has additionally been a member of the UCHS Ethics Bowl team, the Beta Club, and the Pep Club while also working as an instructional leader in the Golden Tornado Marching Band.
Her community service experience includes being a Camp Rock volunteer, working in the Chimes for Charity program, and as a volunteer for the Beta Club Trunk or Treat event.
Palmer became a candidate for the award upon applying for admission to UT. Recipients must be admitted to the University and enroll for the fall semester immediately following graduation from high school to be considered.
In order to retain the scholarship, students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA, federal Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), and full-time enrollment each semester.
Ella is the daughter of UCES Principal Allison Palmer and UCMS teacher/coach Chris Palmer.
