By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City High School Guidance Counselor Susan Searcy nodded and smiled at the school’s Girls and Boys State delegates, offering a flattering assessment.
“We could not have any better representation of our school system than these three young people,” Searcy claimed.
That lofty, yet deserving praise was reserved for Jenna Kate Cross, Madison Pate, and Foster Rodgers – chosen as this year’s UCHS ambassadors for the prestigious honor.
Among the most respected and selective government instruction programs for high school students, the 78th session of the American Legion Auxiliary Volunteer Girls State will be held at Lipscomb University in Nashville from May 24-30.
The American Legion Boys State will be held for the 87th time this year at Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville from May 24-29.
Much of the delegates’ time will be spent exploring the mechanics and interworking of government and politics while also practicing and promoting citizenship.
Each of the three UC students chosen is heavily involved in school and community activities and has been recognized for numerous accomplishments.
Among the honorees are:
JENNA KATE CROSS
The daughter of UCHS Principal Jacob Cross and UC Middle School teacher Emily Cross, Jenna Kate insisted, “It’s a cool experience to have had both of my parents along for my educational journey.”
Miss Cross has been a member of her class’s Top 10 for three years, the Beta Club, Student Excel, a class favorite, and a representative on the football homecoming court.
She’s actively involved in the youth group of her church (Second Baptist), was chosen to participate in the Obion County Youth Leadership program, and has served as a class officer. JK is a member of both the UCHS band color guard and the winter guard, and the school’s Ethics Bowl team.
She said she’s “excited about learning how state government functions and meeting new people from other schools as part of the process. I believe being in a new place with different people will take the experience to a whole new level.”
Cross listed reading, watching movies, listening to music, and spending time with friends as her hobbies, and plans on attending the University of Tennessee at Knoxville to major in biogenetics upon her high school graduation.
MADISON PATE
Madison claimed she’s looking forward to new leadership ideas certain to come from the Girls State experience.
“I’m in a leadership position in both our marching band and in the TSparks Club, and I feel like I’ll be introduced to different ways of leading from others during this week,” the daughter of Adam and Amy Pate said. “The more things I learn, the better leader I’ll be.
“Plus, I’ve always been interested in government and how it works.”
Miss Pate makes the most of every minute of each day with a wide-ranging collection of activities and has a long list of academic accomplishments.
She’s recorded the best grade point average in numerous classes and has maintained the top overall GPA in the Class of 2027 for two years. She’s also been a member of the Art Club, a five-year member of the marching and concert bands, and has served as a member of the community service club’s steering committee and participated in the Obion County Youth Leadership experience.
Madison’s community service activities include Kids’ College, Camp Rock, and serving as a VBS instructor at her church. He’s had a role in her family’s business and enjoys reading and working puzzles in her limited spare time.
“Sometimes, it’s tough to find a good balance with everything I have going on,” she grinned. “What I found that works for me is to remain calm at the end of each day, and to separate and enjoy each individual activity.”
Pate plans to attend the University of Tennessee at Knoxville upon her UCHS graduation next spring and eventually work as an anesthesiologist.
FOSTER RODGERS
Rodgers will be the third child of Christie and Chris Rodgers to take part in the Boys/Girls State experience, joining older siblings Owen and Edie, who were also chosen for the honor.
“My siblings set the bar incredibly high in all things,” Foster smiled. “They both said this was one of the best experiences they’ve had in their lives, and I’m excited to learn how government works. I grew up watching the news with my grandparents, and I might even want to run for office locally someday.”
Rodgers has been ultra-busy with a variety of activities in addition to achieving lofty academic standards since he first joined the halls of UC High School.
A member of the school’s elite 30+ ACT Club, a member of the Class of 2027 Top 10, and a recipient of the Kiwanis Student of the Month while taking numerous AP courses, he has also been chosen as a class favorite, a TN Scope delegate, and received a Student Excel Award.
Foster is a member of Second Baptist Church, where he’s involved in several groups, is a member of the UTM Honors Choir, has served on the school’s Leadership Innovation Team, and plays both football and tennis. He’s also in the school’s concert band.
He currently serves as the President of his class, is also a member of the UCHS Theatre group, the Beta Club, and the Tornado Sparks Club (formerly the Key Club).
“It does seem like I’m always rushing from place to place trying to make time for everything, and my mom helps me a lot with the logistics of that,” he laughed. “I just try to find the perfect sweet spot when balancing my academics and activities.”
Rodgers’ post-secondary plans include pursuing a four-year degree in biology and attending medical school to be an orthopedic surgeon.