Seven represent county at Teen Board Dance
Black Tie event set August 27 in Knoxville
The Standard Banner
By: Staff Writers
Updated: August 10, 2016
Seven outstanding young ladies from Jefferson County have been invited to be Presentees at the 56th Annual Teen Board Presentation Dance on Saturday, August 27.
Local representatives include: Alexandria Alder, Ashtyn Fritz, Margaret Lang and Catherine Vines, all of Jefferson City; Julia Codispoti and Chloe Hodge of Dandridge and Maggie Pettit of New Market.
The Teen Board Dance is one of the largest teenage black tie dances in the country where teenagers and adults alike enjoy the same social occasion. Last year hundreds of leading teenagers as well as adults from various parts of the United States enjoyed the same event.
For the Teen Board of Knoxville, the dance is the one outstanding social event of the year. It is not just a dance or a social debut for teenagers. It has far greater meaning, building leaders for the future.
The Teen Board of Knoxville is a private, non-profit organization solely for teenagers (14-18 years) with adult help. 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. Last year over 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 our former members. By learning to help those less fortunate at this age, in turn they have helped themselves develop a public and civic responsibility they are carrying on as adults.
This Presentation Dance is a reward for those local girls and boys who have completed their hours of service. Selected girls from other parts of the country who are rising seniors are also invited to be presented, along with outstanding East Tennessee teenagers.
The weekend starts with practice and brunch Saturday morning (teenagers only), followed by the Mayor’s dinner honoring the Presentee’s and other important dignitaries. Presentation of the presentees and dance at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum follows.
Alexandria Alder
Alexandria, a senior at Jefferson County High School, is the daughter of Shane and Carlena Alder. She will be escorted by Connor Rytz.
She is a member of the National Honor Society, the Jefferson County Youth Leadership Program and serves as a Revolution Volleyball coach. She is involved in varsity volleyball and basketball at JCHS, and is a member of the Beta Club. Alexandria attends Manley Baptist Church and participates in Young Life Ministries of the Lakeway area.
Julia Codispoti
Julia, a senior at Jefferson County High School, is the daughter of Jerry and Kathryn Codispoti. She will be escorted by Brice Cusick.
She is a member of the high school volleyball team and Knoxville Volleyball Academy. Other school activities include being Director of Patriot Pals, a member of Beta Club and the National Honor Society. She attends Arrowhead Church.
Ashtyn Fritz
Ashtyn, a senior at Jefferson County High School, is the daughter of Eric and Melanie Fritz. She will be escorted by Zach Long of Grainger County.
Ashtyn was a member of the JCHS School Youth Leadership Class of 2016, where throughout the year she has been actively involved in community service projects. She is an AP/Honor student, a member of the Beta Club, and the National Honor Society. Ashtyn is also a member of the JCHS soccer team, Patriot Pals, the Patriot Events Council, and the Jefferson County High School Kids Club. During her senior year, Ashtyn will be dually enrolled at both Jefferson County High School and Walters State. She plans on being a Pre-Med in college, with the goal of becoming a pediatrician. Ashtyn attends Providence Church.
Chloe Hodge
Chloe, a senior at Jefferson County High School, is the daughter of Jim and Melanie Hodge of Dandridge. She is escorted by fellow senior Stone Kolb Stephens, also of Dandridge.
Chloe is a four-year member of the JCHS Varsity Dance Team, and has been selected as captain of the team this year, after serving as co-captain last year. She has also been a four-year member of the Patriot Events Council, and recently graduated from the Jefferson County Youth Leadership Program.
She continues to study the piano as a 14-year student of the University of Tennessee Suzuki Piano School and currently teaches five piano students of her own. Through her piano studies she has completed a dual-enrollment piano college course at UT, competed in the National Federation of Music Clubs and the National Guild Auditions for piano and voice. She is also a ten-year member of East Tennessee Dance Academy where she has studied jazz, ballet, and pointe.
She was recently selected the 2016 Jefferson County High School Female Student of the Year, attended American Legion Auxiliary Girls State, and completed the highly-competitive United States Naval Academy Summer Leadership Seminar in Annapolis, Maryland this summer.
Margaret Lang
Lang is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert and Cindy Lang. Her escort is Cayden Masters of Jefferson City.
She has trained in ballet for the past nine years and is currently dancing with Elevate of Jefferson City. Margaret enjoys running, hiking and Buffalo Wild Wings.
Maggie Pettit
Maggie is a senior at Jefferson County High School and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas and Melanie Pettit. She will be escorted by Leo Fonner of Dandridge.
Maggie is a member of Nances Grove Baptist Church where she is actively involved in her youth group and has volunteered at Lost Sheep Ministries Under the Bridge, Appalachian Outreach’s Coats for the Cold and Backpack Ministry. She has been a Vacation Bible School leader and volunteer for the past six years.
Maggie was part of the 2016 Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership Class. She is a member of National Honor Society and the Beta Club, and was selected by the JCHS faculty to attend American Legion Auxiliary’s Volunteer Girls State. Maggie actively participates with Encore Theatrical Company and is an employee at Gap in Sevierville.
Catherine Vines
Catherine, a senior at Jefferson County High School, is the daughter of Jim and Leslie Vines. Her escort is Bryson Sexton, who also attends JCHS.
She is on the JCHS volleyball team, a member of National Honor Society, Beta Club, Patriot Events Council, and the Riot Student Section leader. She is a part of Young Life, GoExtreme Volleyball Club, Campaigners Bible study, a volunteer coach for Revolution Volleyball League, and lifeguard at the Jefferson City Outdoor Pool.
Catherine is also a member of Arrowhead Church of Morristown.