TEEN BOARD — Payton Tipton and Devon Nicole Vaughn, both students at Cleveland High School, have been selected as presentees at the Teen Board of Knoxville event which will be held Aug. 6 and 7.
Devon Nicole Vaughn and Payton Tipton, both students at Cleveland High School, have been selected as presentees at the Teen Board of Knoxville event which will be held Aug. 6 and 7. Cleveland is one of 32 cities represented.
Miss Vaughn is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Vaughn and the granddaughter of Faye Vaughn and Wanda Hubbard. Miss Tipton is the daughter of Mark and Lori Tipton and the granddaughter of Jim and Diane Williams and Lois Tipton.
Misses Vaughn and Tipton are among hundreds of leading teenagers who have been chosen from various parts of the United States. They will be honored at the Teen Board Presentation Dance of Knoxville, one of the most outstanding social events of the year.
This is the golden anniversary for the Knoxville organization. The Teen Board of Knoxville was founded by native Knoxvillian, the late Mrs. J.C. Moncier. Moncier was active in welfare, civic and club work. She was a charter member of James White Daughters of the American Revolution and served on the board and was a 40-year member of Ossoli Circle. She was also on the board and was a member of the Knoxville Junior League.
In 1957, the Monciers’ 17-year-old daughter, Marty, was killed in a car accident. The memory of her teenage daughter kindled a love in her heart for all teenagers. Moncier died in 1985 after 25 years devoted to the Teen Board of Knoxville.
At her request, Jean Clendenen Brown, who had served some 15 years with the Teen Board, became volunteer executive director. She is now a 40-year veteran of serving on the Teen Board.
The Teen Board of Knoxville is a private, nonprofit organization solely for teenagers 14 to 18. Its purpose is to get the teenagers to work and take the lead in civic and welfare projects and to lift their social and moral life to higher standards. In 2009, more than 12,000 hours were given to civic and welfare projects for charitable organizations.
After 50 years, adults have seen results of this work in the good leadership in colleges and universities shown by former Teen Board members. By learning to help those less fortunate at this age, the Teen Board representatives have helped themselves develop a public and civic responsibility they are carrying on as adults.
The Presentation Dance is a reward for those local girls and boys who have completed their hours of service. Rising seniors from other parts of the country are invited to be presented along with Knoxville’s outstanding teenagers.
The weekend begins with a party Aug. 6 at the Teen Center. On Saturday, practice and brunch for teenagers only is followed by the Mayor’s Dinner, honoring the presentees and other dignitaries. On the evening of Aug. 7, the event continues with the presentation of the presentees and dance at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum followed by the black-tie reception.
Miss Tipton, a senior at Cleveland High School, will be escorted by Chip Norwod, the son of Verrill and Amy Norwood.
She is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and serves on the FCA leadership team. She holds membership in the Beta Club (on the leadership team), is a member of the National Honor society and a four-year member of the varsity volleyball team — captain for three years. In her sophomore year, she was a member of the track team and in her freshman and senior years, was on the softball team.
Her activities in church and community include working with the youth group at First Baptist Church, where she is a member of the Student Senate. She is active in the Chrysalis community and was the leader of the CHS community project, making blankets for New Hope Pregnancy Center. She also served as peer tutor for special education students.
Miss Tipton is the recipient of the English III Honors Award, the award for Bible as Literature and was chosen by her peers to be a representative on Cleveland’s Homecoming court and a representative on the Holly Ball court, also.
Her awards in volleyball were numerous: “Libero of the Year,” All-District, All-Region, Best of Preps, MVP of District Tournament and Cleveland’s Hustle Award
Tipton’s court will include Emily Hill and her escort James Hayley, Hayley Brewster and escort, Gary Durbin, Jenna Steward and escort, Derek Murray, Brooke Sherlin and escort, Chuck Norwood, Gabby Earby and escort, Harrison Weissinger, Kirsten Pickett and escort, John Ivey and Masison Akins and escort, Gray Goodner.
A senior at Cleveland High School, Miss Vaughn will be escorted by Corey Simpson, the son of Rick and Donna Simpson. She is a Raider scholar with a 4.0 GPA. She is a Tennessee Scholar, a 2010 delegate to American Legion Girl’s State and a 2010 graduate of the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class.
Miss Vaughn is Cleveland’s Junior Miss 2011, capturing the awards for Creative and Performing Arts and Community Service. She received the overall scholastic award in Tennessee’s Junior Miss 2011 (Distinguished Young Woman of Tennessee).
At CHS she actively participates in the FCA Leadership Team, Anchor Club Leadership, Interact Club and the National Honor Society. She serves as co-captain of the CHS girls soccer team and is on the track team.
Miss Vaughn attends First Baptist Church where she is a member of the Student Senate and is active in the youth group.
Her court includes Kelsey Cantrell and escort, Jordan Willcutt; Taylor Crumbley and escort, Ben Kimball; Meryn Evans and escort, Hunter Greene; Rachael Jackson and escort, Dillon Rader; Catherine Jordan and escort, King Kramer; Bethany McIntosh and escort, Madison Yates; Brooke Miller and escort, Daniel Jackson; and Kourtney Oliver and escort, Jacob Mason.
According to Teen Board officers, this event is regarded not just as a dance or a social debut for teenagers, but something with far greater meaning — it is building leaders for the future.
