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CURRENT CLASS

I believe that in the next ten years, Knoxville will experience the type of rapid growth that Nashville has seen recently as more people discover everything that East Tennessee has to offer. All the new construction on the UT campus and the residential construction in my area of town show that more and more people are choosing to live in Knoxville. My vision is that the city and the county are prepared for the influx of new residents so that the infrastructure we have isn't overwhelmed.

Knoxville's best kept secret is the Introduction Knoxville program. I feel like many more people should take advantage of it to get out of their bubble and see what the entire area has to offer. I have lived here since 1997 and learned so much about Knoxville that I never knew!

I would literally strengthen it. With the population growing, the roads are becoming more and more crowded. Schools in my area are at capacity. Are we keeping up by planning road expansions, more police and fire stations, and new schools? How do we attract the personnel for those positions? All of these improvements require taxpayer money, so what is the plan for raising the funds required in an area traditionally known for its low taxes?

Over almost three decades, so many of my favorite Knoxville memories involve UT sports. It's something that three generations of my family have all enjoyed together and it's a way for us to all have something in common. Even through my in-laws and my daughter don't live in Knoxville any more, several of their visits back involve a major sporting event, so it's a wonderful way for us to stay connected.

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

If you have to ask yourself if something is right, it's not." Eloise Williamson, my grandmother's sister-in-law.

What is important at 16 is not remotely what is important as an adult. Grades, high school popularity, what you parents did for a living, and how cool your clothes were don't matter one bit when you're an adult. How to deal with adversity, how to be a good friend, how to surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you - those things matter. Everything else will fall into place, and good things come to those who wait.