Meet the Presidents
To be a president is to lead those who elected you with integrity and honor. For student presidents, the title comes with additional responsibilities. Not only do they maintain a presidential role, but they do so while playing on sports teams, working part-time jobs, participating in extracurricular activities, and completing their homework. The fine young people featured here represent their student bodies across the Chattanooga area. Their hard work and leadership qualities are to be admired, paving the way for bright futures and more accomplishments to come.
Justin Lee | East Hamilton High School, Senior Class President
Favorite extracurricular activity? Playing varsity football all four years and being voted team captain. Impact you want to make on the world? To introduce widespread, eco-friendly, sustainable housing for the homeless population in America and leave the world a better place. Higher education/career goals? Study architectural design and one day own an architecture firm. Person you admire most and why? I admire my parents’ work ethic, as it has taught and inspired me to work hard in life for everything I achieve. Where would you travel to and why? Africa to see some elephants. Three things you want to accomplish in life? Become a world-renowned architect, be able to support my future children in whatever they aspire to accomplish, and witness the Atlanta Hawks win an NBA championship.
Deziyuna McClure | Brainerd High School, Class President
Proudest accomplishment? Being selected for the National Honor Society and maintaining a 4.0 GPA. Impact you want to make on the world? I want to impact how people treat each other. Everyone’s voice, opinion, and success matter. Higher education/career goals? My goal is to graduate college with a degree in nursing or therapy. Biggest lesson learned through leadership positions? That it’s okay to be patient with others, and it’s okay to be an outcast or different. Person you admire most and why? The person I admire the most is my mother because she teaches me to never give up on myself and to always have a kind heart. Where you would travel to and why? New York, because of the fashion, big museums, and art galleries. Three things you want to accomplish in life? Earn a college degree, become a nurse anesthetist, and leave a positive mark on people’s lives.
Maggie Blevins | Ringgold High School, Senior Class President
Favorite extracurricular activity? All of the clubs I participate in, like FCCLA, Student Council, NHS, and Beta Club. Higher education/career goals? I plan to attend the University of Tennessee at Knoxville to earn a degree in elementary education and fulfill my dream of becoming a teacher. Person you admire most and why? I admire my mamie – my late grandmother – the most because she was selfless, loving, and strong. Where would you travel to and why? I would travel to Anaheim, California, to visit Disneyland because I have always wanted to see the Mickey Ferris wheel. Three things you want to accomplish in life? I want to have a job that I love so it doesn’t feel like work, I want to have a family, and I want to have a California king-size bed to take naps in.
Ryan Lovelace | Cleveland High School, Class President
Favorite extracurricular activity? Running. I am on the track and cross-country teams and have many all-state finishes. Biggest lesson learned through leadership positions? If you want the spotlight on you when you succeed, you should expect it to be on you when you fail and make mistakes, so be careful of your actions and words. Person you admire most and why? Hugh Enicks. He has been my track and cross-country coach since freshman year. He is a veteran and has taught me many lessons about respect, work ethic, and remaining humble. He is a man I look up to and admire a lot. Three things you want to accomplish in life? I want to leave a good legacy for others, I want to be a great dad to my future children, and I want people to know that I always gave 110% when it came to chasing my goals.
Ansley Nguyen | Dalton High School, Executive Student Council President
Favorite extracurricular activity? I love playing the piano. When I play, I can translate my troubles into a different kind of language and release them through sound. Higher education/career goals? Currently, I’d like to major in something along the lines of environmental engineering. Biggest lesson learned through leadership positions? I have learned to not fear being wrong. I am capable of recognizing my failures instead of trying to shift blame or ignoring them. I’m not afraid to ask for help and do not think less of myself because I do so. Person you admire most? My grandparents. Three things you want to accomplish in life? No matter what I do, I want music to be a part of my life. I want to live a more minimal lifestyle that lessens the impact I have on the planet. Lastly, I want to be the owner of an espresso machine.
Sophia Vanderwaal | Red Bank High School, Senior Class President
Impact you want to make on the world? I have always wanted to inspire young girls to pursue careers in STEM fields. Growing up, I looked up to physicists and astronomers like Michio Kaku, Neil DeGrasse Tyson, and Carl Sagan. But I never had any scientific female role models until I watched the movie Hidden Figures. It inspired me to push forward with my goals. Biggest lesson learned through leadership positions? I have learned that patience and empathy are important virtues. Three things you want to accomplish in life? I have always known that I want to travel for work, expand my horizons, and build upon my global experience. On top of this, I want to be a published author. And finally, I want to get my doctorate in some scientific field. These are three very loose goals, and I am still figuring out my specific objectives (and myself) as I go.
Trey Ware | Lakeview Fort-Oglethorpe High School, Senior Class President
Proudest accomplishment? Being elected senior class president and having the opportunity to motivate my classmates. Impact you want to make on the world? I want people to remember the love I showed them every day and the smile I wore on my face even when times were tough. Higher education/career goals? I want to enroll in UNOH and go through the automotive technology program to earn my associate degree. I have a huge passion for cars and would love to own a shop of my own one day. Person you admire most and why? Martin Luther King Jr. Even though he faced many challenges during his life, he had the guts to stand up for what he believed was right and didn’t let anyone stop him from speaking the truth. A true legend to this day.
Brett Cooper | Baylor School, Chair of the Honor Council
Proudest accomplishment? Serving on the Honor Council – which was founded by Baylor in 1916 – for four consecutive years and becoming its chair. Favorite extracurricular activity? I am an avid golfer and have played for the last four years on our varsity team. Together, we have won three team state championships. Biggest lesson learned through leadership positions? The caliber of perseverance required for success is so much higher than what many think. You have to try and fail for so long, but hard work pays off, and success will come. Three things you want to accomplish in life? First, I want to use my interest in business and finance to have a successful career. Eventually, I want to get involved in politics and would love to serve at a national level. But, most importantly, I want to leave behind a legacy that inspires people to make a positive difference in the world.
Will Leathers | McCallie School, Student Council President
Proudest accomplishment? Being elected student body president. When my peers recognized my leadership and work on campus, I received one of the best honors out there: the respect of my classmates. Favorite extracurricular activity? Tennis. I have learned to grow as a player and a person while playing on the McCallie tennis team. Higher education/career goals? I hope to be able to attend a high-level university in a different part of the United States to gain perspective and establish a good, life-long career for myself. Currently, I am undecided on what I wish to study in college, but I have considered business, pre-law, and political science. Person you admire most and why? Roger Federer. The class and skill he brings to the game of tennis are unmatched. You can see the impact it makes on his life as a father and as an international superstar. Three things you want to accomplish in life? Graduate college, create a successful career at home and work, and enjoy life step by step.
Sydney Scarlett | Hixson High School, Senior Class President
Proudest accomplishment? Being voted as the senior class president. Higher education/career goals? I am planning to attend ETSU to major in criminology. I want to become either a behavioral analysis expert or a lawyer. Impact you want to make on the world? My biggest goal is to help people. If, by the end of my life, I can say that I helped one person in a significant way, I’ll know I repaid the world for its kindness to me. Person you admire most and why? My mother is one of the strongest people I know. Every single day I am in awe of her. Where would you travel to and why? Scotland or Barcelona. Most of my ancestry stems from the British Isles, and Scotland has a rich history. Barcelona, on the other hand, has some of the most beautiful architecture and culture.
Spencer Haley | Ooltewah High School, Senior Class President
Proudest accomplishment? Being a leader to middle school youth and elementary school students and building relationships with them, too. Higher education/career goals? I want to achieve a successful career in either welding or as an electrician. Person you admire most and why? My dad. He has always been someone I look up to because of his outlook on life, his willingness to serve, and his wisdom. Where you would travel to and why? Israel, because that’s where a lot of the events in the Bible take place. I would see the Jordan River and the Sea of Galilee. Three things you want to accomplish in life? Become a father with a loving wife. I want to set a good example for my future kids by going to college. I’d like to challenge myself spiritually by going on a long-term mission trip. I also want to do some kind of fitness challenge.
Kaylee Potter | Soddy Daisy High School, Senior Class President
Favorite extracurricular activity? I love being involved in my church and serving my school through student council. Biggest lesson learned through leadership positions? From my student council advisor, David Sneed, I have learned that it is important to remember the “why” behind everything you do. Person you admire most and why? My parents. Their heart for the Lord is evident in all that they do, and they intentionally lead my sisters and me with Christ-like love. Where you would travel to and why? Cappadocia, Turkey, to go up in a hot air balloon and see the sun rise over the beautiful landscape! Three things you want to accomplish in life? Raise a family rooted in Christ, grow a backyard flower farm to share the sweetness of fresh flowers with others, and mentor teenage girls in their walk with the Lord.
John Mayo | Silverdale Baptist Academy, Student Council President
Proudest accomplishment? The opportunity to serve my peers as student council president. Impact you want to make on the world? I want to help make a world where people aren’t afraid to take risks and chase progress. Higher education/career goals? I would like to get my major in metallurgical engineering and a minor in aerospace engineering. Person you admire most and why? I admire my dad because he works hard for the benefit of others. I want to be the same way. Where you would travel to and why? I want to travel to Rome. It is a historically significant place with beautiful architecture, natural scenery, and interesting culture. Three things you want to accomplish in life? I want to get a degree, a stable job that I enjoy, and I want to find a way to pay back all the people who have helped guide me through my life.
Molly Welch | Sale Creek High School, Student Council President
Proudest accomplishment? Being named JROTC Battalion Commander. Favorite extracurricular activity? Soccer or basketball. Impact you want to make on the world? Continue the exploration of outer space to give us outlets for future growth. Higher education/career goals? To graduate from the Naval Academy and become a naval aviator. Biggest lesson learned through leadership positions? To listen before you make a final decision. Person you admire most and why? My mom because she has taught me how to persevere through tough obstacles. Where you would travel to and why? The Galápagos Islands because of the unique wildlife. Three things you want to accomplish in life? Be financially successful, become a part of the Blue Angels, and become an astronaut.
Hadley Levine | Chattanooga Christian School, Student Council President
Favorite extracurricular activity? Volunteering at Downside Up and working at Chattanooga Shoe Company. Biggest lesson learned through leadership positions? When to lead silently and when to lead boldly. Sometimes, it just takes listening silently to lead well. Person you admire most and why? The first thing that comes to mind is the kids that I work with through the nonprofit and babysitting. The way they find each other’s similarities is what we should all be looking for. Three things you want to accomplish in life? First, I want to travel. I feel a deep connection to nature, and I never want to lose a day outside. Second, I want to leave a legacy of love. This life is eternal, and earth is a quick glimpse of the journey. Third, I want to see my dreams come true and to accomplish all of the things my heart is set on.
Alex Frost | Heritage High School, Senior Class President
Proudest accomplishment? Raising $2,356 for the Catoosa County Children’s Fund. Biggest lesson learned through leadership positions? People work better when they’re happy. Make the people you work with happy and things will go better. Person you admire most and why? My Papa. He died when I was younger, but he was a band director, a preacher, and all of the things I hope to be. My family tells me I’m a lot like him, and when I hear that, I know I’m doing well. Where you would travel to and why? New Orleans, because I love jazz music. Three things you want to accomplish in life? Go to college at Jacksonville State University, march with the Marching Southerners, major in music education, and one day become a band director.
Mary Kate Johnson | Girls Preparatory School, Student Council President
Proudest accomplishment? The construction of an iron river sturgeon sculpture for my Tucker River Fellows Club project. I worked with the talented artist Julie Hailey Clark to construct it. In doing so, I learned important lessons on welding, persistence, and leadership. Impact you want to make on the world? I want to show people the value of kindness and generosity and how radiating these qualities impacts the world and people around you. Biggest lesson learned through leadership positions? How to be an advocate for the people you represent, how to listen to the opinions of others, and how to effectively work with others to achieve a common goal. Person you admire most and why? I most admire my mom because she exemplifies what it means to be a selfless and kind woman. I want to be just like her when I grow up.
Belle Flasch | Notre Dame High School, Captain of the House of Fortis
Proudest accomplishment? I am most proud of my work with the local community kitchen and food bank through the Weekend Warriors organization. Impact you want to make on the world? I hope to give a little more than I take every day and be a guide to help others do so as well. Higher education/career goals? I plan to earn a degree in engineering while continuing to live out my faith through service. Person you admire most and why? Fortunately, my brother Max was only one year ahead of me in school. His incredible work ethic and humility gave me a benchmark that I enjoyed trying to reach or exceed. Where you would travel to and why? I would love to travel to the Eastern Caribbean and participate in the annual Nevis to St. Kitts open water race.
John Sofield | Grace Baptist Academy, Class President
Impact you want to make on the world? In the same way famous film composer John Williams has been able to touch so many lives through his music, I hope to make people feel something through my music. Higher education/career goals? I’m hoping to attend Lee University and major in music performance with an emphasis on vocal studies. Person you admire most and why? My parents. They both display Godly attitudes and taught me to always have faith. Where would you travel to and why? I would love to visit Sydney, Australia, to see and attend the Sydney Opera House and visit their beautiful beaches. Three things you want to accomplish in life? I want to make a difference in the lives of others through my music, I want to share the love of God in any way I can, and I want to perform on the Broadway stage.
Brody Grant | Boyd Buchanan School, Student Body President
Proudest accomplishment? Being elected by my peers as their student body president. Favorite extracurricular activity? Serving the great city of Chattanooga on Mayor Tim Kelly’s Youth Council! Biggest lesson learned through leadership positions? The importance of time management. As my football coach Jeremy Bosken reminds me, there are only 168 hours in a week, so make each one count. Where you would travel to and why? Traveling to the Caribbean island of Jamaica many years ago made a lasting impression on me. The delicious food, the beautiful scenery, the elegant and respectful people combined with my love of James Bond movies make Jamaica the place for me! Three things you want to accomplish in life? To live a life that challenges others to pursue their own dreams as I am committed to pursuing mine, to serve those most in need, and to do just one thing that has eternal significance.
Susanah Champlin | Center for Creative Arts, Senior Class President
Proudest accomplishment? Attending the Governor’s School for International Studies this past summer. Impact you want to make on the world? I think we’re all mosaics of our experiences and the people we’ve met, and I would love to be able to leave parts of myself with as many people as possible. Higher education/career goals? I’m planning on majoring in sociology, and I’d like to pursue a career in the legal field. Person you admire most and why? I admire my teacher Mrs. Kuttig the most because she’s been so influential in helping me develop my identity and beliefs. She constantly challenges me to be more thoughtful and to think more critically. I admire her energy, spunk, knowledge, wisdom, humor, and ability to connect with others. Three things you want to accomplish in life? I’d like to continue to learn throughout my life, become a leader in my community, and adopt two cats.
Kaylea Moore | Tyner Academy, Student Council President
Impact you want to make on the world? I want to inspire African American girls like me to achieve their highest dreams. My main goal is to uplift the minorities in America and be an example of beating a system that wasn’t designed for us. Higher education/career goals? I would love to attend Howard University with a major in political science and a minor in international relations. After college, I dream of becoming a diplomat and, later on, a senator. Person you admire most and why? I admire my sister, Kaiya Moore, the most. She is accomplishing dreams that were deemed impossible, which gives me hope that I can live my happiest life. Three things you want to accomplish in life? Start a nonprofit organization for African American girls in K-12, become a senator, and give a speech in the White House.
Olivia Judd | Walker Valley High School, Student Body President
Proudest accomplishment? Stepping way outside of my comfort zone to run for student body office, and creating a relationship with my peers and school. Impact you want to make on the world? I want people to know me as a kind and helpful person who they can approach. Higher education/career goals? I want to receive a bachelor’s degree in bioengineering and go into drug development. Person you admire most and why? I admire my climbing coaches Lisa Rands and Wills Young for their dedication to our team and making it feel like a second home. I admire their hard work and efforts to make us all better. Three things you want to accomplish in life? Go to and graduate college, live in a van for a while and climb, and then find a successful and fulfilling career.
Lance Bryson | Tennessee Christian Preparatory School, Student Council President
Favorite extracurricular activity? Playing soccer, especially for TCPS. Impact you want to make on the world? If God calls me to influence the world I will, but I will still feel fulfilled in life even if my impact is restricted to my family and close friends. Higher education/career goals? I like to help people, especially on a mental level, so therapy and psychology is what I want to do. Where you would travel to and why? Iceland. It seems very beautiful and peaceful. Three things you want to accomplish in life? I want to accomplish God’s will. I want to be available to those around me. I want to accept whatever situation comes my way and thank God for it regardless.
Vaidehi Rathod | Chattanooga School for the Arts, Student Government Association President
Impact you want to make on the world? I want to aid in the fight against climate change and volunteer my time to help children in developing countries break the poverty cycle. Person you admire most and why? Both of my parents, but mostly my dad. He was the first person in his family to leave India. After my parents got married, my dad found a job in the United States, and our family moved here with nothing to our names. My dad reminds me every day that it doesn’t matter where you come from, you can always work your way up to where you want to be. Three things you want to accomplish in life? Protect animals, especially dogs, and reform animal shelters. Create opportunities for children living in poverty to work their way out through education. Develop technology that could either fight climate change from the civilian level or reverse global warming altogether. I want to be remembered for leaving our world better than I found it.
Cason Marr | Collegedale Academy, Student Association President
Favorite extracurricular activity? Acroforce, Collegedale Academy’s gymnastics team. My favorite part is partner stunting because of the trust and teamwork that it takes. Person you admire most and why? My brother, Gavin Marr. This guy is someone I’ve had so much fun growing up with and can’t wait to make more memories with him. I admire you, Gavin, and I can’t wait to see what life has in store for us. Where you would travel to and why? I want to go to the Bahamas to play with the island pigs. Three things you want to accomplish in life? I want to become a physical therapist to help others. I would love to build a car or truck from the ground up. Lastly, when I grow old and am looking back on my life, I want to be proud and feel confident that I tried my best in every situation.
Kelsey Hewitt | Signal Mountain Middle High School, Student Body President
Proudest accomplishment? Serving my school as the student body president. I love being involved in leadership with my fellow officers and students, decorating and creating publicity, and planning some of the most enjoyable memorable events for the school and community. Higher education/career goals? My goals are to earn a Ph.D. in education and to minor in French. Person you admire most and why? My grandmother because she was able to communicate to all audiences and make them feel understood and appreciated. Where would you travel to and why? I want to travel to Australia to visit the Great Barrier Reef. Three things you want to accomplish in life? I want to be a teacher, indulge my passion for the arts, and be a leader of my future school’s student council.
