Union City, Tenn.–Obion County Schools held its annual Top 10 Banquet on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at Discovery Park of America to recognize the highest-achieving students at Obion County Central High School and South Fulton High School. The evening was a celebration of academic excellence, personal dedication, and the bright futures of these outstanding students.
The program began with a welcome from Mr. Tim Watkins, Director of Schools for Obion County Schools. South Fulton High School senior Anna Kate Lawrence led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a prayer offered by Obion County Central High School senior Jacob Cochran. Guests then enjoyed a meal catered by The Willow Tree.
This year’s keynote speaker was Lee Marshall, founder and CEO of Kids to Love and a 1990 graduate of South Fulton Middle and High School. Marshall, an Emmy Award-winning journalist and Harvard Business School alumna, shared a powerful message encouraging students to pursue their dreams boldly. “Maybe there is a dream inside of you that feels weird or risky. Something that no one else understands,” she said. “I am here to tell you that might be the very thing that changes the world. Don’t apologize for dreaming big.”
Following the keynote, administrators from both high schools recognized each Top 10 student individually by name, presenting them with commemorative plaques in honor of their academic accomplishments.
The evening concluded with the awarding of two scholarships. Judge Jimmy Smith announced the recipients: Brady McFarland received the South Fulton High School scholarship, given in honor of retired history teacher Mr. Bill Gray, and Kayden Ross received the Obion County Central High School scholarship, given in honor of retired math educators Mr. James West and Mr. Tommy Parr.
The banquet and scholarships were made possible through the generous sponsorship of the Roger Williams Family. Obion County Schools, Obion County Central High School, and South Fulton High School extend their sincere gratitude for the Williams family’s continued support of public education and student success.
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OCCHS:
9th Grade Top 10
Isabella Bartz, Lainey Craig, Brady Dunn, Anna Heathcott, Luke Hepler, Mikaelee King, Bentleigh Lamphier, Bronson Pergande, Micah Poore, Samuel Russell
10th Grade Top 10
Carter Ayers, Libby Carman, Ellie Evans, Conner Forbes, Katy Frazier, Kara Gallimore, Laura Hooks, Anna Frances Leake, Favel Simmons, Hailey Simpson
11th Grade Top 10
Areli Alonso, Allyssa Bruner, Hailee Edwards, Ezra Gurien, Lena Lannom, Adison Norton, Darcy Orton, Izzebell Thorpe, Reese Ulen, Jake Underwood
12th Grade Top 10
Reagan Armour, Hope Baker, Jacob Cochran, Chloe Goff, Alexandria Leland, Gracie Rae Martin, Addison Morphis, Jose Ramirez, Kayden Ross, Gavin Wheelis, Holly Williams
South Fulton:
9th Grade Top 10
Lindsey Auxier, Kaydnce Bradley, Alayasia Cooley, Ciera Jennings, Grant Joyner, Gabi Long, Carlisle Lusk, Cooper Taylor, Kaylin Tucker, Seth Watson
10th Grade Top 10
Sam Auxier, Brooke Burcham, Parker Burden, Gavin Dixon, Hannah Emily, Lucas Foust, Abigail Hardy, Lexie Martin, Jeff Roberson, Callie Tucker
11th Grade Top 10
Caroline Barclay, Keeley Dance, Hannah Hedge, Piper Lusk, McKenzie Mayo, Ivy Kate Morris, Charles Mulcahy, Journee Puckett, Ben Swift, Jillian Whitlow
12th Grade Top 10
Hadley Barnes, Lydia Carlisle, Stewart Conner, Ryleigh Johnson, Anna Kate Lawrence, Connor Lawrence, Austin Reason, Brady McFarland, Alexas Roberson, Jen Wallace