Meet the Presidents
Student presidents are recognized as individuals gifted with vision who can lead their peers to a bigger and brighter future. They are held to the highest standard of integrity, and they juggle extra responsibilities all while making sure they aren’t late for class. The 29 young men and women featured here are just some of the many chosen to represent their student bodies across Chattanooga. Accomplished in academics, athletics, and community service, they are busy spearheading endeavors that will echo throughout the halls of their high schools and beyond.
By Mary Beth Wallace
Jackson Lewis
Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School, Student Government President
Proudest accomplishment? Receiving the music gold medal for the state of Georgia in Academic Decathlon my sophomore year.
Favorite extracurricular activity? I have been in band for six years, and an officer for three. I enjoy putting time and effort into practicing the art of music.
Impact you want to make on the world? To simply encourage the unity of all people, regardless of any identity. We are all human beings after all, so we should be treated and loved as equals.
Any education/career goals? My goal is to attend Princeton and study linguistics and Spanish.
Where would you travel? One place I have always wanted to travel to is Italy, to be able to study art, culture, language … plus, they have some pretty good food!
What do you want to accomplish in life? Learn every day, help always, and leave a legacy of positivity.
Marshona Robinson
Brainerd High School, Senior Class President
Proudest accomplishment? It would have to be when I volunteered at an orphanage; I got to play games with the kids, eat with them, color, listen to music, and really make a difference in their day.
Favorite extracurricular activity? Cheerleading and track.
Any education/career goals? I would like to attend Middle Tennessee State University and pursue a degree in nursing.
Lessons learned through leadership? I’ve learned that you are not always going to be in control, and sometimes you have to step back and listen.
Person you admire most? My mother – that woman has done everything she possibly can for me.
Where would you travel? I would like to travel to Bali, because it seems like such a relaxing place.
What do you want to accomplish in life? I want to become a nurse, own my own business, and have a family.
Emily Carroll
Grace Baptist Academy, Senior Class President
Proudest accomplishment? Placing First Chair in one of the top four honor bands at the University of Georgia and leading the trumpet section in an amazing concert.
Favorite extracurricular activity? Playing in my church orchestra and assisting in the Special Olympics.
Impact you want to make on the world? Bring the joy and peace of Jesus Christ to others through music and worship arts.
Any education/career goals? My career goal is to teach music so others can enjoy it as much as I do.
Lessons learned from leadership? Servant leadership has taught me to place others before myself.
Person you admire most? I admire my cheer coach, Jessica Box, as she has invested in me and helped me grow so much as a person and leader.
Where would you travel? Traveling to hear the Philharmonic Orchestra play in London would be very exciting.
Henry J. Bethel & Andrea Magaña
Dalton High School, Student Council and Student Body Presidents
Bethel:
Proudest accomplishment? Being named an AP Scholar with Distinction.
Any education/career goals? Starting next fall, I will be attending Auburn University on a swimming scholarship. I would like to be either a lawyer or a swim coach.
Lessons learned from leadership? One of the best marks of a good leader is someone who is able to accept help from others.
Where would you travel? Santorini, Greece – I’m told that they have the best sunsets in the world.
Magaña:
Proudest accomplishment? Winning first at Peach State for marching band.
Impact you want to make on the world? Paying it forward and helping others to improve society.
Any education/career goals? I plan to study international business in college.
What do you want to accomplish in life? Although I have many goals, some might include pursuing commercial real estate, running marathons around the country, and going to the moon.
Mia Winget
Ringgold High School, Senior Class President
Proudest accomplishment? My proudest accomplishment can actually be dated back to elementary school. I won a small county speech contest, and that is what fueled my passion to try to always use my voice to help others and to stand for what I believe in.
Favorite extracurricular activity? I love musical theatre as a way to express my artistic side, and the community is so helpful and supportive.
Any education/career goals? I hope to pursue crisis management in college and travel.
Lessons learned from leadership? To listen to both the supporters and the critics – everyone has different ideas and opinions and together can promote one strong voice.
Person you admire most? One lady I look up to is journalist Nellie Bly. She would constantly stand up for people and provided justice for lots of communities.
Eli Bowen
Baylor School, Chair of the Honor Council
Proudest accomplishment? Being elected as Chair of the Honor Council.
Impact you want to make on the world? I want to inspire people to put forth their best efforts to further connections with people of all races, nationalities, and creeds. Removing barriers that hinder positive connections will make the world a better place.
Person you admire most? My father inspires me to be the best version of myself. He is a great example of hard work, dedication, and giving his best effort to not only his job, but also his family.
Where would you travel? Dubai in the United Arab Emirates is a large, modern city that I think would allow me to immerse myself in a different culture. I would like that challenge.
What do you want to accomplish in life? I want to travel to every single continent and work abroad, start my own company, and run for public office.
Siena Rodrigues
Signal Mountain Middle/High School, Student Body President
Favorite extracurricular activity? I love the Signal Corps Marching Band. It has been such a privilege to learn and grow with 100 other weirdos.
Impact you want to make on the world? I want to show the world that the mixture of cultures and ideologies is beautiful – that we don’t have to label ourselves as one thing, but can instead embrace the ambiguity of our identities as human beings.
Lessons learned from leadership? Being a good leader does not mean to be a people pleaser, but to serve with genuineness.
Any education/career goals? I am planning to major in psychology in college and then pursue a higher degree in graduate or law school.
What do you want to accomplish in life? Finish the Harry Potter series (I have 100 pages left). Live a life full of open dialogue. Be my very best self for the people around me.
Ryleigh Green
Walker Valley High School, Student Body President
Favorite extracurricular activity? Speech and Debate, because it lets me practice my public speaking skills, and I get to meet so many interesting people during tournaments.
Impact you want to make on the world? I want to be the person to whom people can look for advice and a helping hand whenever they need it.
Lessons learned from leadership? I’ve learned the value of open communication among leaders and how providing an open space for people to express their ideas can bring about the best solutions to problems.
Person you admire most? I know it sounds a little silly, but I admire Mister Rogers because his kindness, thoughtfulness, and communication skills are exactly what I strive to be like.
Where would you travel? I’d love to travel to Germany; I want to minor in the language, and its culture is so beautiful and unique.
Anna Ingram
Cleveland High School, Senior Class President
Favorite extracurricular activity? Being a member and two-year captain of the varsity football cheerleader squad. There’s nothing I love more than cheering on our athletes as they compete.
Any education/career goals? My goal is to earn a medical degree from a good college and become a doctor, or possibly a physician’s assistant.
Person you admire most? Coach Jason McGowan. He has inspired me as a teacher and in the way he shows love to others – he encourages me to be the best person I can be.
Where would you travel? A dream of mine has always been to travel to Bora Bora. It looks picture-perfect, and I have an immense love for the beach!
What do you want to accomplish in life? To become a doctor and save lives, to be blessed with a happy, healthy family, and to continue to be authentic, passionate, and even emotional about what I believe in.
Olivia Rector, Olivia Crumley, & Abigail Slifko
Soddy Daisy High School, Student Body Co-Presidents
Rector:
Favorite extracurricular activity? Singing for my youth group.
Impact you want to make on the world? If you can impact just a few people by teaching them kindness and love toward others, that’s enough.
What do you want to accomplish in life? Get a job I enjoy, become a mother, and share God’s Word with as many people as I can.
Crumley:
Favorite extracurricular activity? Student Council is my biggest focus; I strive to make SDHS one of the best places to be.
Any education/career goals? I’ll be majoring in communications at Lee University. I hope to get into sports marketing or PR.
Where would you travel? I think Santorini, Greece, is breathtaking!
Slifko:
Proudest accomplishment? Being the 2021 Distinguished Young Woman of Soddy Daisy.
Any education/career goals? I plan to study electrical engineering at UTC.
What do you want to accomplish in life? Be successful at my career, meet Elon Musk, and work at SpaceX.
Alex Williams
McCallie School, Student Council President
Proudest accomplishment? It’s not an accomplishment per se, but my trip to the Yunnan Province of China was one of my most meaningful experiences. I was lucky enough to help the local matriarchs with farming, take care of their children, and learn traditional customs.
Favorite extracurricular activity? Being a youth group leader for 12- and 13-year-old boys has been the greatest opportunity and gift. Those boys teach me more than I could ever teach them.
Any education/career goals? Engineering CD with a biomedical specialization (doctorate as well), and then a master’s degree in American history with an emphasis on the American West. I also want to write a few books along the way.
Person you admire most? My dad worked himself out of some of the worst of circumstances into a successful family man. I hope to be like him when I grow older.
Maggie Moon
Collegedale Academy, Student Association President
Impact you want to make on the world? I think right now the most important thing the world needs is understanding for one another. I hope I can give as much love and understanding as I can to anyone and everyone I know in hopes of impacting others to have understanding.
Any education/career goals? My goal is to go to Southern Adventist University and study speech pathology so that I can help young kids.
Person you admire most? My mentor Daisy, because she has taught me that life is more than money and success. She has taught me that life is truly lived when your happiness is found in Jesus and you are following the calling He has on your life.
What do you want to accomplish in life? I want to skydive, graduate college with a master’s and a high GPA, and most importantly, follow the path and purpose Jesus has set out for me.
Lei Hanna
East Hamilton High School, Student Body President
Proudest accomplishment? I attended Governor’s School: Science and Engineering, where I met so many high-achieving students across the state that continue to inspire me.
Favorite extracurricular activity? I enjoy attending YMCA Center for Civic Engagement’s Youth in Government program each year because conferences foster fierce debate as well as crazy parties – work hard, play hard.
Lessons learned through leadership? Leaders should serve in the best interests of their followers through respect and empathy rather than focusing on personal/organizational gain at the expense of neglecting follower needs.
Where would you travel? I would like to visit South Korea; the culture is so fun and unique.
What do you want to accomplish in life? I want to create and/or join an innovative startup company, feature in a TV show, and retire as a professor.
Grayson Hartley
Hixson High School, Student Body President
Proudest accomplishment? I have a few, including representing my senior class as president, being the class of 2021’s homecoming representative for the past two years, and achieving the “Group Chief” leadership position in ROTC.
Any education/career goals? I would like to pursue a degree in childhood education at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with hopes of being able to make a difference in children’s lives.
Lessons learned from leadership? My biggest lesson is also my hardest, and it’s that not everyone is going to like you.
Person you admire most? I admire my mom most, because her selflessness is like no other. Her love is a mother’s love, and that’s one of the greatest gifts in life.
Where would you travel? I would go to Nicaragua because although people there don’t have much, they show that happiness isn’t money but love.
Rowan Terry
Ooltewah High School, Senior Class President
Proudest accomplishment? When I was a two-year officer of the Superintendent Student Advisory Council.
Impact you want to make on the world? I hope to be elected as a senator someday.
Any education/career goals? I am excited to attend UTK and commission as a pilot in the Marines or Army following graduation.
Lessons learned through leadership? That it is my job to ask the people whom I represent what it is that they want to see changed. Most people won’t just come to me with an issue; in most cases, I have to find them by stepping into the shoes of other students.
Person you admire most? John Locke, because of his beliefs and influence on the American revolutionaries.
Where would you travel? I really want to see New Zealand for the breathtaking landscape, and to experience where Lord of the Rings was filmed.
Madelyn Tawzer
Silverdale Baptist Academy, Student Council President
Favorite extracurricular activity? My favorite activities are volunteering at my church, The Crossing, to spend time with my Pre-K class, and then supporting my friends who are involved in athletics at SBA.
Impact you want to make on the world? I would like to impact the world by ensuring that every person I come in contact with feels the love of Jesus.
Any education/career goals? I would like to further my education by receiving my undergraduate and master’s degrees in Physician Assistant studies.
Person you admire most? My grandmother, Joyce Tawzer. I admire her because she has shown me what an authentic love for Jesus looks like and has prayed many blessings over my life.
Where would you travel? I would love to travel to Israel so that I could experience the holy city, the Jordan River, and see where Jesus walked.
Andrew Jae-Yoon Song
Heritage High School, Senior Class President
Proudest accomplishment? Graduating from ESL (English for Second Language) class to regular class in 5th grade. It showed how much I had progressed since I moved to America just a year before.
Favorite extracurricular activity? Writing and acting in plays with my friends in TheatreQuest, playing in the Legion of Generals Marching Band, and playing varsity soccer.
Any education/career goals? First, I would like to attend NYU, Brown, or Yale. From there, I aspire to become either a director or a filmmaker.
Lessons learned from leadership? Being a good leader means that I need to bring everyone, no matter our differences, together to work for a common goal.
What do you want to accomplish in life? Travel to every country in the world to experience different cultures, produce/direct my own movie, and raise a family.
Destiny Smith
Central High School, Senior Class President
Proudest accomplishment? Being class president all four years of high school.
Impact you want to make on the world? I want to change the world by helping and donating to people when I get older. I plan to use money from my future business to do this.
Any education/career goals? I plan to get my associate degree in cosmetology and my bachelor’s degree in business/entrepreneurship. I want to use both degrees to create my own makeup line.
Lessons learned from leadership? The biggest lesson I have learned is to always listen to people when they come to me so that I can try to solve their problems.
Person you admire most? Lupita Nyong’o. She has had so many people try to bring her down because of her skin color and appearance, but she never lets it get to her. She is strong and always fighting for causes.
Madison Hasnani
Chattanooga Christian School, Student Council President
Favorite extracurricular activity? I run cross-country, and it is a lot of fun! Running with the team is the highlight of my day.
Impact you want to make on the world? Some personal goals I set for myself are to practice authenticity and intentionality in the things I do. These little goals, I think, can make a big difference in the world.
Any education/career goals? My goal is to graduate college then go on to medical school to become an obstetrician-gynecologist.
Person you admire most? Krue Brock, who was my 9th grade Algebra II teacher. His genuineness, compassion, and encouraging nature continue to be a great model of how I want to engage in my community.
What do you want to accomplish in life? Visit all 50 states, build a treehouse, and co-open a Family Center to enable, educate, and support women and their families in partnership with my medical work.
Erin Marshall
Girls Preparatory School, Student Council President
Proudest accomplishment? Being awarded the Palmer Griffin Award. I was voted for this award by my classmates because of my love for GPS, my involvement in clubs, and my positive impact on others.
Impact you want to make on the world? Teaching younger generations the importance of giving back and how rewarding it can be when you see the positive impact you make on others.
Any education/career goals? I am unsure of the specifics, but I see myself helping someone either through health care or education.
Person you admire most? My AP U.S. History teacher, Ms. Callie Hamilton. I have never met anyone who can lift someone’s spirit or inspire a love of learning as much as she can.
Where would you travel? I would love to travel to Rome. After taking AP Art History, I’ve been dreaming of getting to see this culturally rich city.
Sarah Moore
Notre Dame High School, Captain of the House of Fons
Favorite extracurricular activity? Playing soccer for my school and my select team, as well as being a manager for the boys’ soccer team in my off season.
Impact you want to make on the world? I would like to be able to brighten as many people’s days as possible as I go through life, as well as be able to help the environment to the best of my ability to hopefully make the world a better place both environmentally and through human attitudes.
Any education/career goals? I would be extremely honored if I am accepted and able to attend a service academy and pursue a career in engineering.
Where would you travel? I would like to travel to Australia for its extremely unique culture, beautiful attractions, and because it is very environmentally positive with its unique variety of marine animals and home to many coral reefs.
Mia Speller
Sale Creek High School, Student Body President
Favorite extracurricular activity? Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family and enjoying the outdoors, kayaking specifically.
Impact you want to make on the world? I plan to spend my life doing my best to be a positive influence on those around me and to promote my peers to work hard and do their best. I hope to eventually become a teacher, and I think that is a great opportunity to have a positive impact on your community.
Person you admire most? I admire my parents the most. It is from them that I got my determination and competitive nature. I have watched my parents work their whole lives to do the best for my siblings and me, and I have been learning that dedication throughout my life.
Where would you travel? I would like to spend time exploring Eastern Europe, but Scotland and Germany also look delightfully interesting.
Will Wortman & Bailey Baxter
Boyd Buchanan School, Student Body Co-Presidents
Wortman:
Favorite extracurricular activity? My role in the fine arts department, performing concerts, musicals, and art festivals for live audiences.
Any education/career goals? I intend to major in kinesiology at UT Knoxville and then become a doctor of occupational therapy.
Person you admire most? The ultimate example of Jesus in my life is my pre-calculus teacher, Mrs. Jennifer Brewer. She is pure light.
What do you want to accomplish in life? My goals are love, happiness, and success.
Baxter:
Proudest accomplishment? Being selected to represent BBS as a Girls State delegate.
Any education/career goals? Attend a four-year university and major in communication sciences and disorders in hopes of becoming a pediatric speech therapist.
Lessons learned from leadership? People are always watching you. You are a leader to someone, even in your insignificant daily actions.
Where would you travel? To Latin American countries to work as a missionary.
Elizabeth Francisco
Red Bank High School, Senior Class President
Proudest accomplishment? One of my proudest accomplishments is that throughout these four years of high school, I was able to maintain good grades. I’m also proud of myself for being involved in multiple things such as Student Council, Beta Club, Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy, and Principal Advisory.
Any education/career goals? I want to go to college to major in nursing and work my way up to become a neonatal nurse. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always dreamed of being a nurse. I would also like to minor in business.
Person you admire most? My mom, Inelda Francisco. I admire her because she’s always been two parents in one for me. Although it was hard growing up in a single-parent household, she always strived to give me and my sister the best life possible.
Where would you travel? Italy, for all the attractions and incredible art.
Eliezer Vicente
East Ridge High School, Student Body President
Proudest accomplishment? Being the only senior who has been on the ERHS varsity soccer team all four years of high school.
Favorite extracurricular activity? Playing soccer, running in cross-country, and being on the drill team in the JROTC department.
Impact you want to make on the world? My biggest aspiration is to leave a positive impact on the world that encourages everyone to become their best.
Lessons learned from leadership? It all starts with you, and the people who don’t believe in you give you another reason to work harder.
Where would you travel? I want to travel to Ecuador, because that’s the country where my parents were born.
What do you want to accomplish in life? I want to keep a good relationship with God, start my own business, and be successful. CS
