By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Going the ‘Extra’ mile took on a new meaning recently for a group of Union City High School students.
The steering committee of the newly-named Tornado Spark Club – formerly the UCHS Key Club – visited Baptist Memorial Hospital and handed out packs of Extra gum with an attached note that read ‘Thank you so much for going the EXTRA mile in caring for our community to BMH employees.’
The gesture continued the longstanding relationship between UC Schools and Baptist Memorial Hospital. It also allowed students to hear from CEO and top administrator Skipper Bondurant, Director of Pastoral Care Michael Dennison, and others who shared leadership tidbits and job descriptions of BMH employees.
Members of the school’s organization had previously performed similar good deeds, giving Baptist employees Lifesavers with notes that said ‘You’re a Life-Saver,’ in 2023, and then replicating that project with Tootsie Rolls and accompanying messages ‘Thank you for the “roll” you play in our community’ last year.
“The staff really enjoyed these events,” said Dennison, whose group annually sponsors a lunch and learn session at the high school.
The UCHS club was recently rebranded in honor of popular school employee Tammy Sparks, who tragically and unexpectedly passed away this summer.
Union City High School Principal Jacob Cross endorsed the decision – with the blessing of its longtime partner, the UC Kiwanis Club, – saying: “We thought it was a great way to pay tribute to Mrs. Sparks in honor and memory of how involved she was in our community.
“We’ll still work with the Kiwanis Club in many instances. This (renaming) simply will allow us to create our own service organization.”
Club sponsor Carolyn Nipp, whose group numbers more than 80 students, said: “We’re thankful for the support of the Kiwanis Club over the years and will stay involved with them in several projects, like their Pancake Day and canned food drive for the holidays. They were very supportive of our decision.
“This will allow us to be a little broader in some opportunities and will keep all our funds from dues local. I think our students are excited to get involved with some other projects, too.”
Nipp mentioned a handful of organizations that TSC members have mentioned getting more involved with, including Charlee Kate’s Closet, the Obion County Coalition, and local nursing homes.
Kiwanis representative Flynn Jowers told Nipp in an email: “We understand (the club change) and admired their decision to keep dues in their club, where it will be more effective in our community.
“We also felt it was very deserving and thoughtful of them to be considering Tammy Sparks’ legacy as an involved community leader with the formation of the new club.”
Jowers added that he looked forward to a continued modified partnership with UC students, specifically noting their volunteer status in the annual Pancake Day (Nov. 15).