It’s a new week, and we hope you know what that means.
The Tennessean again asked principals, teachers and guidance counselors from across Tennessee to participate in our new Student of the Week program by sending nominations for their top male and female student.
Now you get to pick the best.
See the candidates below and vote for one male and one female at the bottom of each nominees list. The polls will close at noon on Thursday, so hurry up and get those votes in.
Male nominees
David Pitzer, Smyrna High School: He just received a perfect score on the math section of the ACT and earned a composite score of 33. He is the president of Mu Alpha Theta, and he is tutoring numerous students in math. His teachers say David is a quiet academic who is humble about his intelligence and deserves to be celebrated.
Beshoy Romany, Cane Ridge High School: A senior in the architecture and construction academy. Beshoy has a 4.1 GPA and serves as a Cane Ridge High, Esclalera and SuperMoneyKid ambassador, Best Buddies secretary, GearUp student leader, Black Achievers officer and a member of the National Honors Society. He works for Signcraft USA and has 10 OSHA credits through Nashville State Community College dual enrollment.
Landon Sells, Alvin C. York Agricultural Institute: A senior starter for the school’s top-ranked 2A football team, Landon was nominated as Mr. YAI by exemplifying extracurricular/community involvement, academic excellence and the consistency of character that we should all strive to accomplish. He’s also a member of the track and wrestling teams, ACT 21+ club and National Honor Society as well as a Gold Card recipient (All A’s). He’s had perfect attendance for the last three years, and his teachers say Landon acts as a great role model, sharp dresser, a positive influencer and has a great growth mindset. He also works a part time job outside of school and is active in his church youth group.
Justin Zheng, Rossview High School: A National Merit Scholarship semi-finalist with an ACT score of 36, Justin, a senior, has also achieved highest honors in Digital Arts and Design, 11th place in FBLA Regional and he’s an AP Scholar with Distinction. He has played varsity tennis and is also a member of Create Club, Math Team, Science National Honor Society, Key Club, Clarksville Mayor’s Youth Council, Future Business Leaders of America and National English Honors Society. He volunteers as an Austin Peay Google-Sponsored Coding Camp instructor and describes himself as charismatic, fastidious and inventive.
Female Nominees
Kena Biru, Cane Ridge High School: A senior in the health management academy, Kena is part of LEDA (Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America), a highly regarded organization that helps students gain admission to the most selective colleges and is dedicated to supporting their success throughout. With an acceptance rate of 5%, it is quite competitive, and only 100 scholars were selected from across the country for this year’s cohort.
Alyssa Bice, Gallatin High School: An AP scholar, Alyssa is a recipient of the AP National African American Recognition Award, founder and president of the school’s Speech & Debate Team, member of the National Honor Society and team captain of Battle of the Books, where she has won 1st place twice.
Jazzlee Cerritos, Smyrna High School: A Questbridge finalist, Jazzlee’s teachers say her recent activities demonstrate her strengths as a student and citizen. She represented her school earlier this month at Youth Leadership Rutherford before serving as president of YIG two days later. She also represented the school again at the Model UN Conference.
Josie Linder, Alvin C. York Agricultural Institute: A senior 2-sport athlete (volleyball & track), Josie is a member of the National Honor Society, has good attendance, Gold Card (All As) recipient, member of the ACT 21+ Club, and takes dual enrollment classes. She is always lending a helping hand to faculty/staff/students, volunteering and has a part-time job. She is very active in her school’s agriculture program, was a Feather to Fork participant, Princess of Personality, Sophomore and Senior Homecoming attendant and is active in her church.
Jimin Noland, Rossview High School: A senior All-State Musician (TMEA), Jimin has attended the Governor’s School for the Arts and has been a member of the Midstate Honor Band, Gateway Honor Band and All-State Band. She is a member of the Key Club, Multi-Cultural Club, Tri-M Music Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society, GirlState and BCCN/BNG Youth Group. She volunteers at Manna Café and her church and she describes herself as responsible, trustworthy and passionate.