Last week, 300 educators and business volunteers gathered on the 21st floor of the Pinnacle at Symphony Place in downtown Nashville to recognize excellence within the Academies of Nashville. The Academies are Metro Schools’ effort to prepare every Nashville student for college and career in the district’s 12 zoned high schools. My job for the evening was manning the turntables, setting a party mood and keeping the music fresh between presenters. After mingling over hors d'oeuvres and refreshments, we learned about the inspiring work of all of the nominees and watched winners in 19 different award categories accept their “Jesse” trophy. A special shout-out to Altria and Deloitte, the presenting sponsors who made the evening possible - let the competition begin for the 2012 awards!
2011 Academies of Nashville Award Winners:
Teacher of the Year (CTE/Thematic Pathway)
John Marshall, Engineering, Overton’s Academy of Engineering
Teacher of the Year (General Education)
Naomi Williams, Math, Antioch’s Freshman Academy
Team Leader of the Year
Tara Baker, English, Glencliff’s Freshman Academy
Academy Partnership of the Year: Arts, Media, and Communications Partnership Council
CMT and McGavock’s Academy of Digital Design and Communication
Academy Partnership of the Year: Business, Marketing, and IT Partnership Council
The Tennessee Credit Union and Antioch’s The Tennessee Credit Union Academy of Business and Finance
Academy Partnership of the Year: Engineering, Manufacturing, and Industrial Technology Partnership Council
LP Corporation and Overton’s Academy of Engineering
Academy Partnership of the Year: Health Partnership Council
HCA and Hillwood’s Academy of Health
Academy Partnership of the Year: Hospitality and Tourism Partnership Council
Gaylord Entertainment and McGavock’s Academy of Hospitality and Finance
Academy Partnership of the Year: Human and Public Services Partnership Council
YMCA and Cane Ridge’s Academy of Wellness and Healthy Living
Externship Project of the Year
LP Corporation and Overton’s Academy of Engineering
Academy Coach of the Year
Pam Appleton, Antioch
Academy Assistant Principal of the Year
Jennifer Bell, McGavock’s Academy of Aviation and Transportation
Executive Principal of the Year
Tony Majors, Executive Principal, Glencliff
Counselor of the Year
Jennifer Marciano, Glencliff’s Academy of Hospitality and Marketing
Freshman Academy of the Year
Glencliff’s Freshman Academy
Academy of the Year
Antioch’s The Tennessee Credit Union Academy of Business and Finance
Chamber’s Choice Award (for being a difference maker in supporting high school reform in Nashville)
Cheryl Carrier, Ford Motor Company Fund
CEO Champions Awards (for extraordinary leadership and initiative in launching high school reform in Nashville)
Margaret Bess, former principal, Antioch High School
Brenda Elliott, former principal, Stratford High School
Lora Hall, former principal, Glencliff High School
Alvin Jones, former principal, Whites Creek High School
Karl Lang, former principal, Hillwood High School
Darwin Mason, former principal, Maplewood High School
Clay Myers, former principal, Hunters Lane High School
Jim Overstreet, former Director of High Schools
Michael Tribue, former principal, McGavock High School
Academy Students of the Year (presented at the May 4 PENCIL Foundation Bravo Luncheon)
Tyreke Ansah, Glencliff High School’s Ford Academy of Business
Edgar Bolivar, Overton High School’s Academy of Engineering
Ashley Brown, Hillwood High School’s Academy of Art, Design, and Communication
Kaitlyn Carter, Whites Creek High School’s Academy of Community Health
Cody Dawson, Cane Ridge High School’s Academy of Architecture and Construction
Diamond Grimes, Antioch High School’s Tennessee Credit Union Academy of Business and Finance
Gerald Harris, Pearl Cohn High School’s Academy of Entertainment Communication
Emma Loyer, Hillsboro High School’s Academy of International Fine Arts
Elliott Martin, McGavock High School’s Academy of Aviation and Transportation
Megan Watson, Stratford High School’s Academy of Science and Engineering
Diamond Wright, Hunters Lane High School’s Academy of Design and Technology
Kareem Wright, Maplewood High School’s Academy of Energy and Power
The Tennessee Credit Union Academy of Business and Finance at Antioch High School wins “Academy of the Year.” Photo courtesy Gary Layda. 
CEO Champions Co-Chair Steve Turner presents Cheryl Carrier, with the Ford Motor Company Fund, the “Chamber’s Choice Award.” Photo courtesy Gary Layda.