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Oak Ridge to retire Tee Higgins’ number 5 football jersey

Posted at 4:09 pm January 25, 2019
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak-Ridge-Higgins-Clinton-Aug-18-2016-Web

Oak Ridge’s Tee Higgins (5), who was then a senior, talks to a television reporter after a 56-21 rout at Clinton on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. Higgins had two touchdown receptions and two interceptions that set up Wildcat scores in that game. (File photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was updated at 9:45 p.m. Jan. 26.

Oak Ridge will retire the number 5 football jersey of Tee Higgins, a star football and basketball player who now plays as a wide receiver for the Clemson Tigers and caught a touchdown pass in the national championship win over Alabama on January 7.

Higgins’ football jersey will be retired during halftime of the Oak Ridge Wildcats boys’ basketball game against Campbell County at Wildcat Arena on Friday, February 1, Oak Ridge High School Principal Martin McDonald said. That game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m.

“Congratulate our hometown hero on his national championship and watch as his #5 becomes only the third number to be retired in our 76-year school history,” McDonald said in a post published on Twitter. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Sports, Top Stories Tagged With: Clemson Tigers, football, Jackie Pope, Martin McDonald, national championship, Oak Ridge High School, Oak Ridge Wildcats, Shawn Summers, Tee Higgins

Gaddis gets 300th coaching win

Posted at 11:51 pm October 13, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Coach Joe Gaddis talks to the Wildcats football team after a 42-6 win over Clinton on Blankenship Field on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. It was Gaddis' 300th coaching win. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Oak Ridge Coach Joe Gaddis talks to the Wildcats football team after a 42-6 win over Clinton on Blankenship Field on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. It was Gaddis’ 300th coaching win. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 11 a.m.

Oak Ridge Coach Joe Gaddis got his 300th win as a football coach during a 42-6 win over Clinton on Friday.

Gaddis is only the seventh football coach in Tennessee to get 300 career wins, and he is one of only two active coaches with 300 wins, Oak Ridge school officials said. Gary Rankin of Alcoa is the other. Rankin was the first in Tennessee to win 400 games, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported in September.

Fans and players, parents and coaches, and students and school officials celebrated Gaddis’ milestone 300th win with a brief ceremony on Blankenship Field on Friday that included fireworks and photos, and signs and a football painted with the number 300 that was presented to Gaddis.

More than half of Gaddis’ wins have been at Oak Ridge, where he is 162-36. Gaddis first coached at Oak Ridge for 11 seasons, from 1988 to 1998, and he is in his fifth season back, after returning in 2013.

“I’m coaching at the best place there is to coach,” Gaddis said. “This is just a special place.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Slider, Sports, Sports Tagged With: Blankenship Field, Caleb Martin, Clinton, Dragons, football coach, Gary Rankin, Herbert Booker, Jeremy Mitchell, Joe Gaddis, Johnny Stewart, Josh Breeden, Martin McDonald, Mike Mullins, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge High School, Panthers, Powell, TJ Johnson, Tyrell Romano, Wildcats

Football photos: Oak Ridge-Hardin Valley

Posted at 10:43 pm August 19, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Hardin Valley defenders tackle Oak Ridge senior running back Adarius Simpson (24) during a 21-20 win for the Wildcats on Blankenship Field on Friday, Aug. 18, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Hardin Valley defenders tackle Oak Ridge senior running back Adarius Simpson (24) during a 21-20 win for the Wildcats on Blankenship Field on Friday, Aug. 18, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The Oak Ridge Wildcats won a close one-point game against Hardin Valley Academy on Friday night when the Hawks missed an extra point with 21.5 seconds left in the season opener. Here are photos from the 21-20 win by John Huotari. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Sports Tagged With: Aaron Dykes, Adarius Simpson, Blankenship Field, Bryan Wyatt, Grayson Vaughn, Hardin Valley, Jack Armstrong Stadium, Jack Replogle, Jacob Adams, Joe Gaddis, Johnny Stewart, Jordan Graham, Martin McDonald, Oak Ridge Wildcats, Tyrell Romano

Football: Wildcats win when Hardin Valley misses extra point in final minute

Posted at 10:13 pm August 19, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge quarterback Johnny Stewart (2) runs against Hardin Valley during a 21-20 win on Blankenship Field on Friday, Aug. 18, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Oak Ridge quarterback Johnny Stewart (2) runs against Hardin Valley during a 21-20 win on Blankenship Field on Friday, Aug. 18, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The Oak Ridge Wildcats won a close one-point game against Hardin Valley Academy on Friday night when the Hawks missed an extra point with 21.5 seconds left in the season opener.

The Hawks scored in the final minute after Oak Ridge junior linebacker Jeremy Mitchell dropped a Hardin Valley player in the backfield, and the football came loose. There was a scramble for the ball near the goal line, and it squirted into the end zone, where Hardin Valley recovered it for a touchdown. The Hawks then trailed by just one point, 21-20.

They had a chance to tie the game at 21 with an extra point, and they had a chance to take the lead with a two-point conversion.

A few extra point attempts by Hardin Valley were waived off due to penalties, including one on a try that was no good and bounced down to Blankenship Field off the crossbar on an Oak Ridge offsides.

The final attempt went wide left, and Oak Ridge kept its 21-20 lead with 21.5 seconds remaining.

Hardin Valley, a Class 6A team, used an onsides kick to try for one final score in the final seconds of the non-region game. But Oak Ridge, a Class 5A team, recovered and only had to take a knee to run out the clock. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Slider, Sports, Sports, Top Stories Tagged With: Aaron Dykes, Adarius Simpson, Blankenship Field, Cartez Campbell, Dobyns-Bennett, football, Hardin Valley Academy, hawks, Herbert Booker, Jeremy Mitchell, Joe Gaddis, Johnny Stewart, Kai'Reese Pendergrass, Martin McDonald, Oak Ridge Wildcats, Tyrell Romano

Haslam visits ORNL to highlight state’s role in discovering tennessine

Posted at 12:29 am January 28, 2017
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Bill Haslam at ORNL Tennessine Martin McDonald Thom Mason ORHS Students

Principal Martin McDonald, left, and students from Oak Ridge High School accepted the first new chart of the periodic table featuring element tennessine and signed by Governor Bill Haslam, right, and ORNL Director Thom Mason, second from left. To mark the discovery of tennessine, UT-Battelle is donating a new chart to all public middle and high schools in Tennessee. (Photo courtesy ORNL)

 

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam visited the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory on Friday to congratulate the ORNL team involved in the discovery of the element tennessine, named in recognition of the vital contributions of the state of Tennessee to the international search for new superheavy elements.

UT-Battelle, the managing contractor of ORNL, is marking the discovery by providing more than 1,000 public middle schools and high schools in Tennessee with new charts of the periodic table. Tennessine—the official name for element 117—completes the seventh row of the table and the column of elements classified as halogens.

The charts will include the signatures of Haslam and ORNL Director Thom Mason.

“We had two very significant announcements in Tennessee this fall as it relates to science,” Haslam said. “In October, the Nation’s Report Card announced that Tennessee students are the fastest improving in the nation in science, and in November, Tennessee became only the second state to be recognized in the periodic table of elements. Having an element named in our honor is further evidence of the scientific excellence that exists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the University of Tennessee, Vanderbilt University, and other institutions throughout our state, and by UT-Battelle donating new periodic tables to every middle and high school in Tennessee, students can feel proud of our state’s important role in the scientific community and inspired to play a role in its future.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Education, Front Page News, Government, K-12, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, ORNL, Slider, State, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: berkelium-249, Bill Haslam, Bk-249, DOE Isotope Program, element 115, element 117, element 118, Eugene P. Wigner Distinguished Lecture, halogens, High Flux Isotope Reactor, hot fusion, International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, island of stability, IUPAC, Jim Roberto, Joe Hamilton, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Martin McDonald, Moscovium, Oak Ridge High School, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Office of Science, Oganesson, ORNL, periodic table, Radiochemical Engineering Development Center, radioisotope, superheavy atoms, superheavy element, Tennessine, Thom Mason, U.S. Department of Energy, University of Tennessee, UT-Battelle, Vanderbilt University, Victor Matveev, Yuri Oganessian

ORHS pantry provides food, clothing, toiletries, cleaning products to students in need

Posted at 7:08 pm January 25, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak-Ridge-High-School-RISE-Pantry-8-Jan-4-2017-Web

A pantry started about a year ago at Oak Ridge High School provides food, clothing, toiletries, and cleaning products to students in need. The Oak Ridge Board of Education toured the pantry with ORHS administrators and teachers on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017. From left to right are Laura McLean, Angi Agle, Allen Etheridge, Beth Estep, Leslie Shelton, Bruce Lay, Bob Eby, Bruce Borchers, and Keys Fillauer. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was updated at 1:25 p.m. Jan. 26.

A pantry started about a year ago at Oak Ridge High School provides food, clothing, toiletries, and cleaning products to students in need.

It’s known as the RISE Pantry. RISE stands for Raising Individual Students to Excellence.

The pantry started with a cabinet. It’s now housed in a former classroom on the third floor of the high school.

Items stored there include, among other essentials, backpacks and notebooks, pants and shirts, shoes and boots, and soup and beans.

“You can’t learn if your basic needs aren’t met,” said English teacher and coach Allen Etheridge, one of those who started the pantry. “(If) a kid asks, we will bring them down here.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Education, Education, Front Page News, K-12, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: Allen Etheridge, Angi Agle, Beth Estep, Bob Eby, Brianna Ottinger, Bruce Borchers, Bruce Lay, Keys Fillauer, Laura McLean, Leslie Shelton, Martin McDonald, Oak Ridge Board of Education, Oak Ridge High School, RISE Pantry, Shannon Eidam, Tom Sauer

Football photos, videos: Oak Ridge vs. Lenoir City

Posted at 6:20 pm September 18, 2016
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

oak-ridge-lenoir-city-football-johnny-stewart-handoff-sept-16-2016-web

Oak Ridge junior quarterback Johnny Stewart (2) hands off the football during a 45-8 win at Lenoir City on Friday, Sept. 16, 2016. Stewart threw for 201 yards and three touchdowns, and he had 12 completions on 20 attempts (60 percent). (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

LENOIR CITY—The Oak Ridge Wildcats beat the Lenoir City Panthers 45-8 in Lenoir City on Friday. Here are photos and videos from the game. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Sports Tagged With: Adarius Cox, Caleb Jackson, Caleb Martin, Chase Kimbro, Jack Borchers, Jacob Gross, Jaret Miner, Jeremy Mitchell, Johnny Stewart, Ka'Yon Waters, Lenoir City, Lenoir City Panthers, Martin McDonald, Myles Hebrard, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge Wildcats, Ramar Hawkins, Tee Higgins, Tre Jackson, Tyler Dutton

Oak Ridge High School has open house Thursday

Posted at 10:59 pm August 24, 2016
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge High School will have an Open House on Thursday, August 25, beginning at 5:15 p.m. in the Food Court. Parents are asked to print their student’s schedules prior to the event from Skyward Family Access.

From 5:15-6 p.m., school guidance counselors will have PSAT sign-up and senior information tables. Many school clubs and organizations will have information tables set up during this time, a press release said. Food and drinks will be sold by the Oak Ridge High School Orchestra Boosters. PTSO will be accepting donations of hand sanitizer and Kleenex for classrooms. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Education, Front Page News, K-12 Tagged With: Martin McDonald, Oak Ridge High School, open house, ORHS, PSAT, PTSO

Pastor addresses CWU on school concerns

Posted at 12:50 pm April 9, 2016
By Carolyn Krause 1 Comment

Community-Matters-Unitarian-Universalist-Nov-1-2015-14

Pictured above at a Community Matters forum at Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church on Nov. 1, 2015, are the Reverend Derrick Hammond of Oak Valley Baptist Church, center, the Rev. Jake Morrill of Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, left, and Father Brent Shelton of St. Mary’s Parish. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The high stress levels of students at Oak Ridge High School. The increasing number of students who take multiple Advanced Placement courses for status reasons, in response to parental pressure or to be in class with friends. The lack of social workers at ORHS, which has a rising number of at-risk, underfed students who qualify for free or reduced-cost lunches.

The finding that less than 2 percent of ORHS students are referred for almost half of the disciplinary actions taken, including suspensions. Yet, because of privacy laws, people interested in mentoring at least two dozen disciplinary students cannot learn their names.

These were some of the teacher and community concerns highlighted by the Reverend Derrick Hammond, pastor at Oak Valley Baptist Church, at a recent meeting of the Oak Ridge unit of Church Women United.

He announced that on Sunday, April 24, at Oak Ridge High School, from 4-5:30 p.m., city leaders will respond to public concerns raised during the three “Community Matters” sessions held last October and November. The speakers will include Oak Ridge High School Principal Martin McDonald and Oak Ridge Police Chief Jim Akagi. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Churches, Community, Education, Faith, Front Page News, K-12, Meetings and Events, Top Stories Tagged With: Brent Shelton, Church Women United, Community Matters, CWU, Derrick Hammond, Jake Morrill, Jim Akagi, Martin McDonald, Oak Ridge High School, Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, Oak Valley Baptist Church, ORHS, St. Mary's Catholic Church, students, suspensions, traffic stop

Oak Ridge school board has March 3 retreat

Posted at 12:22 pm February 22, 2016
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

The Oak Ridge Board of Education will discuss a range of issues including legal matters, the budget, and facilities during a March 3 retreat.

The retreat is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Thursday, March 3, in the Oak Ridge Schools School Administration Building conference room.

Here is the agenda: [Read more…]

Filed Under: Education, Front Page News, K-12, Meetings and Events Tagged With: Allen Thacker, Bruce Borchers, Bruce Lay, budget, facilities, Karen Gagliano, Larry Giordano, Martin McDonald, Oak Ridge Schools, retreat, School Administration Building, Tracey Beckendorf-Edou

OR Schools asks for state help with military program, consistency for teachers

Posted at 9:40 pm January 10, 2016
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

McDonald-McQueen-Ragan-ORHS-Jan-7-2016

Tennessee Education Commissioner Candice McQueen, center, visited Oak Ridge High School on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016. Also pictured are ORHS Principal Martin McDonald, left, and Tennessee Rep. John Ragan, an Oak Ridge Republican. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Oak Ridge Schools could use help with a military program, one of the so-called “seven keys” to college and career readiness, education officials told a state official on Thursday.

State officials can also help by “keeping teachers on the same path for more than one year,” Oak Ridge Board of Education Chair Keys Fillauer told Tennessee Education Commissioner Candice McQueen during a Thursday afternoon tour of Oak Ridge High School.

“Let’s give them (teachers) some consistency,” Fillauer said. McQueen’s path is called TNReady, Fillauer said. That’s described as a “new and improved” TCAP (Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program), which students have taken since 1988.

McQueen is visiting all districts as part of a statewide tour. On Thursday, it was Oak Ridge’s turn. In addition to Oak Ridge High School, McQueen toured Glenwood Elementary School and Robertsville Middle School. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Education, Front Page News, Government, K-12, State, Top Stories Tagged With: ACT, Amanda Ragan, Bruce Borchers, Candice McQueen, education commissioner, Glenwood Elementary School, John Ragan, Keys Fillauer, Martin McDonald, New Goals to Measure Education Progress, Oak Ridge Board of Education, Oak Ridge High School, Oak Ridge Schools, ORHS, Robertsville Middle School, Seven Keys to College and Career Readiness, TCAP, Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program, Tennessee Department of Education, TNReady, Tracey Beckendorf-Edou, uranium processing facility, Victor Green, Y-12 National Security Complex

Higgins wins Mr. Football award in Class 5A

Posted at 2:45 pm November 30, 2015
By John Huotari 1 Comment

Tee-Higgins-Mr-Football-Nissan-Stadium-Nov-30-2015

Oak Ridge High School junior Tee Higgins, second from left, was named Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Back of the Year in Class 5A during a luncheon at Nissan Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Nov. 30, 2015. Higgins is pictured above with ORHS Athletic Director Mike Mullins, left, and Wildcats Coach Joe Gaddis and Receivers Coach Kwayu Graham. (Photo by Martin McDonald)

 

Note: This story was updated at 3:30 p.m.

Oak Ridge junior Tee Higgins won a Tennessee Titans Mr. Football award during a luncheon at Nissan Stadium in Nashville on Monday. Higgins was named Back of the Year in Class 5A.

The other Class 5A Back of the Year finalist was Nate Johnson of Independence High School, which is coached by former Oak Ridge Coach Scott Blade. The Wildcats are now coached by Joe Gaddis.

Higgins is a wide receiver, punt returner, and defensive back, and a star playmaker for the Wildcats. He had 46 catches for 841 yards and 16 touchdowns this season. He also had a punt return and an interception for a touchdown, and another interception and some big punt and kickoff returns.

Higgins, who has committed to the University of Tennessee, also plays basketball, and he was named the most valuable player at the 17th Annual Tabernacle Baptist Christian Academy Thanksgiving Basketball Tournament last week. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Sports, Top Stories Tagged With: Amari Rodgers, Back of the Year, Class 5A, Joe Gaddis, Jonathan Decker, Kwayu Graham, Martin McDonald, Nate Johnson, Nissan Stadium, Scott Blade, T.D. Blackmon, Tee Higgins, Tennessee Titans Mr. Football

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