Spring has arrived and just like the flowers bursting into full bloom all across Kingsport, the students and educators of Kingsport City Schools are accomplishing great things as the temperature heats up and the end of the school year approaches.  This school year has seen incredible achievements taking place across the district by so many talented individuals.

This week, the Saturday Six shines a spotlight on some highlights of our Spring semester.

1. The Dobyns-Bennett FIRST Robotics CyberTribe and D-B EXCEL M.A.T.E. (Marine Advanced Technology Education) robotics teams achieved great success in competitions this Spring.  In fact, the DBE “R’Mateys” M.A.T.E. team captured 1st place at the recent underwater competition here in Kingsport, qualifying them for the international championships.  With such a talented group of CyberTribe members and with two-thirds of the M.A.T.E. team members being either freshmen or sophomores, we can expect great things from KCS robotics in the years ahead.
2. Challenging academics have long been a hallmark of Kingsport City Schools and this year’s students are rising to achieve at unprecedented levels.  These include D-B seniors Kendall Miller and Karli Ailshie, who were awarded the 2018 Ned McWherter Scholarship,  and John Sevier Middle School 7th grader Ella Miller, who won first place for Best News Story at the Tennessee High School Press Association’s Awards Day.  D-B 11th grader and SCOPE Conference attendee Kevin Woo was elected 1st Vice President for the SCOPE slate of officers.  And Lego League teams from Jackson Elementary School and Robinson Middle School each captured 3rd place in the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Tennessee Championship Tournament.  Oh, and the D-B student council also achieved Four Star Council status.  Knowing this doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface makes this Spring’s accomplishments all the greater!
3. KCS Spring athletes are also excelling.  The Baseball and Softball teams had great campaigns.  The Lady Indians tennis team has seen great success on the courts, sweeping through league play and capturing the District I-AAA Tennis championship.  Three players, Lainey Hill, Willa Rogers, and Emily Cai all went undefeated during the regular season, while the tandem of Hill and Rogers were undefeated in doubles’ play.  Miss Hill and Miss Rogers are continuing to shine in TSSAA tournament play and are poised for great success.
4. The boys soccer team is also making headlines.  The Tribe won the Big 7 Conference Championship and District 1 title and are currently undefeated on the season with a record of 16-0-2.  The Indians soccer team is ranked #2 in the State and #16 in the nation.  Now in the middle of tournament play, their next action will take place at home next Tuesday at Indian Highland Park as they host the Regional I-AAA semi-finals.
5. The D-B track and field team also won the 2018 Conference Championship and placed 2nd (girls) and 3rd (boys) at the 2018 Beach Run Invitational.  During the season, the team and individual members captured more than 30 first place finishes in more than 20 separate events in league and tournament participation.  
6. KCS employees are also achieving great things.  For example… D-B math teacher Mrs. Theresa Fuller fulfilled the rigorous requirements to be designated a National Board Certified Teacher.  Retiring D-B Coach Graham Clark was named a finalist for the prestigious 2017 Power of Influence Award by the American Football Coaches Association and the American Football Coaches Foundation.  John Adams Elementary teacher Dr. Cindy Bellamy was named the Outstanding Elementary Teacher of the Year by the Tennessee Council for the Social Studies and was named to participate as a member of the Tennessee Secretary of State’s Civic Education and Engagement Advisory Committee.  Kingsport is truly blessed to have such great educators!

Next week in the Saturday Six:  With just a few days left in the school year, we’ll take a look at the opportunities and events that will be taking place in KCS this coming summer.  It’s the Summer 2018 Preview Edition!