Oak Ridge Today

Lavender Festival is Saturday, June 17

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The 19th annual Lavender Festival returns Saturday, June 17, 2017, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Historic Jackson Square in Oak Ridge. (Photography by Shawn Millsaps)

The 19th annual Lavender Festival is Saturday, June 17, 2017, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Historic Jackson Square in Oak Ridge. (Photography by Shawn Millsaps)

 

The 19th annual Lavender Festival is Saturday, June 17, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., in Historic Jackson Square in Oak Ridge. The Lavender Festival is a perennial crowd favorite, full of tradition, fun, and always something new, a press release said. The festival celebrates all things herbal, crafts, local foods, and more.

Admission to the festival is free, with plenty of free parking available in surrounding city and business lots, and on side streets, the press release said.

As is tradition, a bagpipe player will open the festival at 8 a.m., playing from upper Blankenship Field into Jackson Square. Also keeping with tradition, Alan McBride will follow with the hammered dulcimer in the bandstand. A complete music schedule is found below.

Also returning for a second year is “A Taste of Tennessee Wines,” from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., benefitting the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge. The tasting is hosted by Great Valley Wine Trail, which is made up of four independent wineries in East Tennessee. Your $10 tasting ticket is available at the gate (for those who are 21 with a valid identification). Tasters receive a complimentary wine glass, and if they purchase wine, a six-compartment wine tote. Customers are allowed to enjoy the wine outdoors in the Square during festival hours, with lunch served all day by plenty of food vendors and food trucks, restaurants, and even hors d’oeuvres by Chapel on the Hill. [Read more…]

ETEC accepting nominations for 2017 Muddy Boot Award, Postma Young Professional Medal

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The East Tennessee Economic Council is now accepting nominations for the 2017 Muddy Boot Award and Postma Young Professional Medal, a press release said.

In 1973, the founders of ETEC (then the Roane Anderson Economic Council or R-AEC) created the Muddy Boot Award to reflect the efforts of the Manhattan Project founders of Oak Ridge, who worked through adverse conditions to build the community, the press release said. Each year since then, ETEC has honored individuals or groups of people who have continued to help build and bolster the community’s economic base. The award has been presented to elected officials, business leaders, representatives of the U.S. Department of Energy, and others.

The objective is to recognize an individual—not an institution—for significant and long-term contributions to the East Tennessee region with respect to the federal government programs and its spin-offs by leveraging the federal presence to create private sector jobs, the press release said. Participation in the community beyond the workplace is essential.

The 2016 recipients included Mike Belbeck, Covenant Health; Chuck Fleischmann, U.S. Congressman, Third District; Frank Munger, recently retired from Knoxville News Sentinel; and Mike Pasqua, recently retired from SAIC/Leidos. [Read more…]

ORHS selected for Sprint 1 Million Project, providing free internet to students for homework completion

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Oak Ridge Schools bus

Oak Ridge High School is participating in the Sprint 1 Million Project program. Through that project, the high school will receive free internet devices and service to help students complete their schoolwork from home, a press release said.

“Sprint’s mission with this project is to provide free wireless devices and service to one million students who are in need of reliable internet service,” the press release said. “The 1 Million Project is the largest corporate initiative in U.S. history to bridge the digital divide and help close the ‘homework gap’ for students lacking home internet access.”

The press release said Sprint plans to welcome approximately 200,000 eligible high school students into the program each year for five years, offering them devices and connectivity for up to four years while in high school. Oak Ridge High School is now a part of this five-year program.

“For the 2017-2018 school year, we will receive 300 devices,” the press release said. “We will continue to communicate with Sprint annually to determine the device quantities needed for the following program years.” [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Chamber’s VALUE Series professional development events to start June 27

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The Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce has announced the return of its popular VALUE Series professional development sessions, a press release said. The series is sponsored by David Vudragovich of UrLocalAgent.com.

The first session, titled “Understanding Benefits for Employees,” will take place at the Chamber on Tuesday, June 27, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., the press release said.

VALUE stands for venture, achieve, learn, understand, and evolve, the press release said.

Upcoming offerings include the following: [Read more…]

Roane State basketball players visit Roane Academy youth

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From left are Grant Holt, Roane Academy Activities Director Andre McCullum, Coach Alan Holt, Garrett Crandell, Blake Ervin, Tyler Thompson, and Ricky Shearman. (Photo by Roane State)

From left are Grant Holt, Roane Academy Activities Director Andre McCullum, Coach Alan Holt, Garrett Crandell, Blake Ervin, Tyler Thompson, and Ricky Shearman. (Photo by Roane State)

 

ROCKWOOD—Five members of the Roane State Raiders basketball team recently took time off from studying for finals to become role models for some Roane Academy youth.

Squad members spent the afternoon of April 26 at the Roane Academy, a residential facility for adolescent males who have experienced complex trauma. Currently in the state child welfare system, the children have been exposed to multiple traumatic events—such as abuse, neglect, domestic violence, multiple losses—that can have substantial and lasting effects if left untreated.

Teresa Duncan, vice president of workforce development for the college, became familiar with Roane Academy through visits its residents have made to local athletic events as rewards for growth and change that shows in treatment progress and safe, healthy decisions. In response, she contacted Roane State Raiders Head Coach Randy Nesbit, requesting that the team spend some time with Roane Academy youth.

Raiders team members Grant Holt, Garrett Crandell, Blake Ervin, Tyler Thompson, and Ricky Shearman interacted with Roane Academy residents, from playing pickup basketball games to dunking exhibitions to simply talking with them. [Read more…]

ORHS student wins Tennessee Award for Aspirations in Computing

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Rhyannon Karney

Rhyannon Karney

 

Rhyannon Karney of Oak Ridge High School won the Tennessee Award for Aspirations in Computing by the National Center for Women and Technology.

The award honors young women at the high school level for their computing-related achievements and interests, a press release said. Awardees were selected for their computing and IT aptitude, leadership ability, academic history, and plans for post-secondary education.

Karney was honored at a banquet at Tennessee Technical University on April 22. She plans on attending Tennessee Tech and majoring in computer science and cyber security.

The award will provide her with a scholarship of $2,500 a year for four years, the press release said.

Submitted by Keith Jackson, instructor

Local students honored for exceptional academic success

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DURHAM, N.C.—Ipek Ozcan, Sidney Ozcan, and Eli Roth, seventh-grade students from Jefferson Middle School in Oak Ridge, were among the students honored by the Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP) for their exceptional scores on the SAT and ACT, respectively. All three students were recognized at a state ceremony at Nashville on May 8 and at the Grand Recognition Ceremony on May 22 at Duke University’s Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Duke TIP’s 7th Grade Talent Search identifies students across the United States who have scored at or above the 95th percentile on a grade-level standardized test. As part of the program, these academically talented students take above-level college-entrance exams to learn more about their abilities, a press release said. Duke TIP then hosts annual recognition ceremonies to honor the seventh graders with remarkable ACT or SAT scores. Those with the highest scores are invited to the Grand Recognition Ceremony.

Working with host academic institutions, Duke TIP sponsors 36 ceremonies in 16 states throughout April, May, and June. Speakers include university administrators and professors from the host institutions, state and government officials, and accomplished former Duke TIP students. [Read more…]

Woodland Elementary School chess team receives donation

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Anderson County Commissioner Myron Iwanski presents a check to Melissa Blalock, Woodland Elementary School assistant principal, and Nancy West, principal. (Submitted photo)

Anderson County Commissioner Myron Iwanski presents a check to Melissa Blalock, Woodland Elementary School assistant principal, and Nancy West, principal. (Submitted photo)

 

Woodland Elementary School recently received a $750 donation to the school’s Chess Club from Anderson County Commissioner Myron Iwanski.

The school “would like to offer a special thank you to Commissioner Iwanski,” a press release said.

“Two years ago, Commissioner Iwanski made a generous donation to our Spanish Club,” the press release said. “These extra-curricular activities are excellent opportunities for our students that expand our offerings beyond the school day. The funding generated to support these clubs is largely raised by participating students’ parents.”

Submitted by Melissa Blalock

CNS grant gives Roane State students opportunity to complete valuable training

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Anderson County High student Doug Stooksbury works on equipment at Roane State’s Higher Education and Workforce Training Facility in Clinton. His tuition for his final semester of dual enrollment mechatronics instruction was funded through a grant provided by employees of Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, the contractor that operates the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge. (Photo by Roane State)

Anderson County High School student Doug Stooksbury works on equipment at Roane State’s Higher Education and Workforce Training Facility in Clinton. His tuition for his final semester of dual enrollment mechatronics instruction was funded through a grant provided by employees of Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, the contractor that operates the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge. (Photo by Roane State)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

CLINTON—High school students in the dual enrollment mechatronics program at Roane State Community College received a final-semester financial boost, thanks to a grant from employees of Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC.

Those employees of CNS—the contractor that operates the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge—last year awarded a $10,000 grant to underwrite the Spring 2017 tuition for mechatronics students in Oak Ridge, Clinton, and Anderson County high schools. The grant was awarded through the CNS Community Investment Fund.

The Community Investment Fund provides thousands of dollars to local nonprofits. Y-12 employees work with the East Tennessee Foundation to award the grants through a competitive grant process.

In the mechatronics program, high school students take courses in maintaining and improving automated machines and robots used by many of today’s manufacturers, said Gordon Williams, director of Roane State’s mechatronics program. [Read more…]

Mother, daughter graduate from Roane State, will start business together

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Roane State massage therapy student Ciarra Wallace and mother Holly Green graduated in May and plan to start their own business. (Photo by Roane State)

Roane State massage therapy student Ciarra Wallace and mother Holly Green graduated in May and plan to start their own business. (Photo by Roane State)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

This mother-daughter team is learning together and soon intend to be earning together.

Holly Green and daughter Ciarra Wallace are finishing the massage therapy program at Roane State’s Oak Ridge campus and plan to go into business as therapists in Jacksboro.

“It’s a great opportunity to be able to share this adventure and milestone with my daughter,” Green said. “This way, the family stays together and we help one another.”

Mom and daughter have made the 45-minute commute from their Campbell County home to take their classes.

Green and Wallace obtained their certificates in May, will take the licensure exams this summer, and intend to rent space in Simplicity Salon in Jacksboro, 111 Rusty Road, for the family business. [Read more…]

Roane State Tennessee Promise student ready to take next step after graduation

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Shelley Edwards (Submitted photo)

Shelley Edwards (Submitted photo)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

For Roane State’s Shelley Edwards, the Tennessee Promise scholarship and mentoring program came along at just the right time.

Edwards was among the first group of students to take advantage of Tennessee Promise, a last-dollar scholarship that allows students to go to community colleges tuition-free.

“With the HOPE Scholarship and Tennessee Promise, I haven’t had to pay anything for my education,” said Edwards, 19, the daughter of Michael and Linda Edwards of Rockwood.

She’s maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average at Roane State.

She received an associate of science degree in chemistry in May, setting the stage for her transfer next fall to Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville. She plans to major in chemical engineering with a concentration in bio-molecular engineering. [Read more…]

ORAU named winner of 2017 EPEAT Purchaser Award

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Ron McCandless, right, ORAU buyer, represented ORAU to receive a 2017 EPEAT Sustainable Purchaser Award presented by Green Electronics Council CEO Nancy Gillis, third from right, during the organization’s recent awards ceremony. The award recognizes ORAU’s excellence in the procurement of green electronics. Also pictured are Josh Silverman, director of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Protection; Teresa Krannig, IT specialist for East Tennessee Technology Park; Jeanne Beard, director of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Information Systems; Melanie Bower, EPEAT Director; and Chris Shannon, project administrator for the DOE Mission Support Alliance Project. (Submitted photo)

Ron McCandless, right, ORAU buyer, represented ORAU to receive a 2017 EPEAT Sustainable Purchaser Award presented by Green Electronics Council CEO Nancy Gillis, third from right, during the organization’s recent awards ceremony. The award recognizes ORAU’s excellence in the procurement of green electronics. Also pictured are Josh Silverman, director of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Protection; Teresa Krannig, IT specialist for East Tennessee Technology Park; Jeanne Beard, director of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Information Systems; Melanie Bower, EPEAT Director; and Chris Shannon, project administrator for the DOE Mission Support Alliance Project. (Submitted photo)

 

ORAU was named among the winners of the Green Electronics Council’s 2017 EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool) Sustainable Purchaser Award for the third year in a row. The award recognizes excellence in the procurement of green electronics, or those electronics that have been manufactured to conserve energy, eliminate environmentally sensitive materials, and increase recyclability.

ORAU was among 10 organizations to receive a three-star rating, the highest possible, for its commitment to purchasing EPEAT-registered products in three categories: PCs and displays, imaging equipment, and televisions, a press release said. The Green Electronics Council awards one star for each category.

Other three-star award winners were: El Paso Intelligence Center; Loyola University Chicago; Mission Support Alliance, CH2M Hill PRC, Washington River Protection Solutions; National Renewable Energy Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy; Office of Investigative Technology, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; Office of Training, DEA; Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, DOE; U.S. Department of Homeland Security; and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. [Read more…]