Mission
The Jerry Shankle Memorial Foundation has awarded $2,600 is scholarship money to three Unaka High School graduating seniors from 2013-2017.
About Jerry “Mule” Shankle
Born in 1942, Jerry “Mule” Shankle lived his entire life in Stoney Creek. With a deep sense of pride for his community, he continued to support his alma mater, Unaka High School, throughout his lifetime.
Jerry was an avid sports fan, supporting his beloved UHS Rangers in each and every sporting event. A former UHS basketball standout himself, he led the Rangers to many victories with his extraordinary talent and sportsmanship both on and off the basketball court.
In 1990, Jerry passed away from complications of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. He was a beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend. This Foundation was established by his daughter, Beth Shankle Anderson, Esq., as a tribute to her father’s memory. Through this Foundation, Jerry’s memory will live on.
Recipients
2013 Recipient: Benjamin Jones
After receiving the JSMF scholarship, Benjamin attended East Tennessee State University with an anticipated major of Elementary Education. Benjamin had an exceptional academic record at Unaka High School including honors such as being in the Top Ten Percent of his class for each of his four years at UHS. He has earned numerous Certificates of Academic Excellence for his coursework and obtained the highest grade in most of his courses. A pillar in the Stoney Creek community, Benjamin has volunteered his time with the American Red Cross Blood Drive, Special Olympics, Samaritan’s Purse Shoebox Ministry and countless other volunteer efforts both at Unaka High School and within the community. Additionally, Benjamin was a member of the UHS Boys’ Basketball team playing the forward position.
2014 Recipient: Marisa Williams
After receiving the JSMF scholarship, Marisa attended East Tennessee State University with an anticipated major of Pre-Medicine and a minor in Art. Marisa had an exceptional academic record at Unaka High School including maintaining a 4.0 Grade Point Average while working 25-30 hours per week at a part-time job. She has earned numerous Certificates of Academic Excellence for her coursework and has obtained the highest grade in nine of her courses. A Stoney Creek community advocate, Marisa has volunteered her time with the Red Cross Blood Drive for three years. She has also been a soup kitchen volunteer, worked at the community carwash, and volunteered with the Angel Tree for four years. Most recently, Marisa placed second in the 17th Annual Congressional Art Competition for Tennessee’s First Congressional District.
2015 Recipient: Reanna McClure
After receiving the JSMF scholarship, Reanna will be attending Tusculum College in the Fall with an anticipated major of sales and marketing. Reanna has an exceptional academic record at Unaka High School including maintaining a 3.94 Grade Point Average while working 20 hours per week at a part-time job. She has earned the highest grade in five of her courses which include the following: English I, Spanish I, Biology I, English III, and Food, Nutrition & Life Connections. A pillar in the Stoney Creek community, Reanna has volunteered with the Red Cross Blood Drive and the Toys for Tots program. She has also been a participant in The Walk for Breast Cancer and the Knoxville Zoo “Walk for Muscular Dystrophy”.
2017 Recipient: Chandler Thomas
After receiving the JSMF Scholarship, Chandler will be attending Emory & Henry College with an anticipated major of Exercise Science. Chandler has an exceptional academic record at Unaka High School including maintaining a 4.0 Grade Point Average while working part-time several hours per week and volunteering at her church as well. Chandler is a Tennessee Scholar and graduated in the Top 10% of her class. She earned the highest grade in several of her courses including World Geography, Word Processing, Business Communications, English II, English III, and Economics. She was also voted Miss Junior. Additionally, Chandler was a member of the UHS Golf team for three years where the team earned All-District and All-Conference placements. During her time at UHS, Chandler was a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, Future Business Leaders of America, and the Yearbook Staff.
2019 Recipient: Taylor Shanks
After receiving the JSMF Scholarship, Taylor will attend East Tennessee State University in the Fall of 2019 with an anticipated major of Clinical Rehabilitation and Speech Pathology. While attending Unaka High School, Taylor had an extraordinary academic record earning her the distinction of valedictorian of her graduating class. Some of her accolades include being named the DAR Good Citizen, earning a place in the Top 10% of her class each of her four years at UHS, and earning the highest ACT score. In 2019, she was the Elizabethton representative to the Knoxville Teen Board and a volunteer with the Special Olympics.
Her athletic achievements are quite impressive as well. She has been a player on the UHS Varsity Softball Team for her entire tenure at UHS. She has helped her team succeed with her leadership skills and her ability to be a team player. She is also a member of the UHS Varsity Golf Team where she earned the distinction of being named All-District.
She is an active member of Union Hill Freewill Baptist Church where she has taught Sunday School and been the choir leader, and is serving as the Children’s Church teacher.
2020 Recipient: Sara Beth Grubb
Sara Beth Grubb will attend Milligan College in the fall of 2020 with an anticipated major of Exercise Science. She is planning to pursue a career in Occupational Therapy. She graduated as Valedictorian, named DAR Good Citizen, and was top 10% of her class each of her 4 years at Unaka High School. She was on the cheer team all 4 years, and will be continuing her cheerleading career at Milligan College. She is an active member of Riverview Baptist Church where she serves in the children’s ministry. While at Unaka High School, she was a member of Key Club, Beta Club, National Honor Society, Yearbook, FCA, and FCCLA.
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