The Courier News

Student ranks high in ‘1776’ competition

June 24, 2026 by Ben Pounds

Andrea Russell, Anderson County Schools data and evaluation director, introduces Anderson County High School junior and now rising senior Gavin Degenhart, a Top 20 Southeastern Region finalist for the Presidential 1776 Award, to the Anderson County Board of Education on May 7. - Ben Pounds

Anderson County High School junior Gavin Degenhart was a Top 20 Southeastern Region finalist for the Presidential 1776 Award.

Now a rising senior, he was one of four students representing Tennessee, competing against 200 students nationally in the Department of Education’s civics contest.

First, he took a three-part online examination covering constitutional, historical and civic concepts. He advanced to the second round in Atlanta, in which he answered government and civics questions before judges.

Degenhart said in Atlanta he competed with 40 other students before reaching finalist status.

College News

June 24, 2026

McCoy named to Bob Jones dean’s list

Grace McCoy of Oak Ridge has been named to the Dean’s List at Bob Jones University for the spring 2026 semester. To earn the honor, students must achieve a semester GPA between 3.0 and 3.74. Bob Jones University is located in Greenville, South Carolina.

Golden, Hicks

and Kubas named to SNHU dean’s list

Brandon Golden of Clinton, Lance Kubas of Andersonville and Courtney Hicks of Oak Ridge were named to Southern New Hampshire University’s dean’s list for the spring 2026 semester.

Full-time undergraduate students who earn a minimum grade-point average of 3.500 to 3.699 for the reporting term are named to the dean’s list. Southern New Hampshire University is located in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Subscription Rates	1 Year
Local (Anderson County)	$35.00
Local Seniors (Anderson County)	$30.00
Surrounding Counties(Knox, Union, Campbell, Scott, Morgan, Roane, and Loundon)	$48.00
All Other Locations	$60.00