Nashville's business leaders recognize Metro Nashville Public Schools freshmen
December 07, 2011
Essay contest winners receive prizes
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Dec. 7, 2011) – Seventeen ninth-grade Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) students were recognized by leaders in Nashville’s business community today as winners of the inaugural "My Future, My Way" Career Exploration Fair essay contest.
More than 4,500 freshmen from 17 different MNPS schools attended the career exploration fair at the Nashville Convention Center on Oct. 27. As part of Shoney’s five-year sponsorship of the "My Future, My Way" Career Exploration Fair, students later wrote an essay about how the experience impacted their thoughts about school, college and an eventual career. Each of the 17 schools selected an essay winner, and a panel composed of judges from MNPS, Shoney’s and the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce selected three grand prize winners. The three grand prize winners read their essays at today’s CEO Champions meeting, and each received a new iPad. The remaining 14 winners will each receive a $100 Shoney’s gift card.
“These students are already ahead, because they are exploring their interests and thinking about college and what they might want to do in life,” said David Davoudpour, chairman & CEO of Shoney’s. “Shoney’s Restaurants is investing in Nashville’s young people, because we feel it’s important to help develop America’s future leaders.”
“This year’s fair was not only bigger than in the past, it was even more engaging and inspiring for our students,” said Dr. Jesse Register, director of Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools. “It is important for young people to broaden their horizons about the many careers that could be in their futures. The career fair not only introduces students to new career possibilities, it also helps them understand how they can prepare for those careers during high school and through higher education. We appreciate Shoney’s for making this experience possible.”
"My Future, My Way" Career Exploration Fair essay contest winners
Magdalene Kennedy, Hume Fogg Academic Magnet School (grand prize)
Angel Puryear, McGavock High School (grand prize)
Oskar Groitzsch, Stratford STEM Magnet High School (grand prize)
Kelcie Walden, Antioch High School
Austin Hayes, Big Picture School
Sandra Watson, Cane Ridge High School
Stephanie Webb, East Literature Magnet School
Aaron Davis, Glencliff High School
Efrain Salazar, Hillsboro High School
Matcie Sitze, Hillwood High School
Cory Nelson, Hunters Lane High School
Destiny Anderson, Maplewood High School
Dheeraj Namburu, Martin Luther King Jr. Academic Magnet School
Iris Engel, Nashville School for the Arts
Niesha Everson, Pearl-Cohn High School
Lilly Quach, Overton High School
Tovia Williams, Whites Creek High School