Monroe Made!
Monroe County Schools is excited to introduce Monroe Made, a new program celebrating the success stories of our graduates and their incredible accomplishments!
From local leaders to innovators, educators, entrepreneurs, and beyond, Monroe Made will spotlight outstanding individuals of all ages who began their journey right here in Monroe County Schools. Their stories remind us that with a Monroe County education, you can go anywhere and become anything you dream of.
To recommend a Monroe County Graduate for Monroe Made, email Jennifer Webb at [email protected].
Jed Wright, Madisonville High School Class of 1989
For Jed Wright, Monroe County isn’t just where he grew up; it’s the foundation that shaped his life. A 1989 graduate of Madisonville High School, Jed went on to build a successful career as a structural engineer and now serves at Cornerstone Engineering, Inc. But long before designing structures across the country, his confidence was built in the classrooms of Monroe County.
Terry Frerichs, Tellico Plains High School Class of 1978
After talking with Terry Frerichs on the phone, we knew he was the perfect person to honor with a Monroe Made article. Terry Frerichs is a proud graduate of Tellico Plains High School's Class of 1978 and represents the heart and heritage of Monroe County. Today, he continues a family legacy as a partner at Frerichs Sawmill, a business that has served the community for more than seven decades.
Bethany Powers, Sequoyah High School Class of 2011
Bethany (Hunt) Powers proudly calls Madisonville, Tennessee, her hometown. With deep family roots in Monroe County, she credits her supportive family and the close-knit community for shaping who she is today. A graduate of Sequoyah High School’s Class of 2011, Bethany now serves as an Assistant Professor and Program Director in the Doctor of Education Program at Lincoln Memorial University, where she helps prepare future leaders in education.
Keith Garrett, Vonore High School Class of 1990
For Keith Garrett, a graduate of Vonore High School’s Class of 1990, Monroe County Schools didn’t just provide an education; it built a strong foundation for a lifetime of learning. In the past, Vonore High School served as a K–12 school, and Keith experienced a close-knit environment that shaped who he is today. “Because it was a small school, it fostered a community that felt more like a family,” he reflects.
Robert Jones, Madisonville High School Class of 1989
For Robert Jones, a proud graduate of Madisonville High School’s Class of 1989, the foundation for a meaningful career and fulfilling life was built right here in Monroe County. Today, Robert serves as a pharmacist and co-owner of Wil-Sav Drugs in Madisonville, where he continues to give back to the same community that helped shape him.
Joe Sherlin, Sweetwater High School Class of 1985
For Joe Sherlin, a 1985 graduate of Sweetwater High School, the values instilled in Monroe County have shaped both his personal journey and his professional calling. Now serving as Senior Vice President for Student Life and Enrollment at East Tennessee State University, Sherlin's career reflects a lifelong commitment to education with roots that trace directly back to his hometown.
Krystalene Clough, Tellico Plains High School Class of 2008
Monroe County Schools is proud to highlight another outstanding graduate in our Monroe Made series, Krystalene (Murphy) Clough, a 2008 graduate of Tellico Plains High School who is making a difference in healthcare while giving back to the community that helped shape her.
Leah Spradlin, Sequoyah High School Class of 2017
Leah Spradlin, a proud 2017 graduate of Sequoyah High School, is living proof of the power of a strong educational foundation and a deep commitment to community. Today, she serves as an Assistant District Attorney General in the 10th Judicial District Attorney General’s Office, a role that allows her to protect and serve the same community she has always called home
Allan Benton, Madisonville High School Class of 1965
For Allan Benton, Monroe County isn't just where he went to school; it is home.
A proud graduate of Madisonville High School's Class of 1965, Benton carries with him not only the lessons he learned in the classroom but also the friendships and memories that helped shaped his life's journey.
Grant Franklin, Vonore High School Class of 1990
For Grant Franklin, a 1990 graduate of Vonore High School, the lessons learned in Monroe County have served as the foundation for a life defined by service.Today, Grant serves as a Program Manager with the F-35 Joint Program Office in Springfield, Virginia, supporting the largest Department of Defense acquisition program to date.
Randall Kizer, Sweetwater High School Class of 1984
Randall Kizer's journey began in Sweetwater, where a Monroe County education helped shape the values that would guide him for nearly four decades in law enforcement and beyond. A 1984 graduate of Sweetwater High School, Randall went on to build a remarkable 39-year career, starting at the local level and rising to federal leadership.
Daniel Harms, Tellico Plains High School Class of 1995
From the halls of Tellico Plains High School to leading a global company, Daniel Harms is proof that a Monroe County education can take you anywhere, especially when it’s paired with hard work, strong values, and a commitment to people.
Chase Summey, Sequoyah High School Class of 2017
Chase Summey, a 2017 graduate of Sequoyah High School, is a proud example of what it means to be Monroe Made. Deeply rooted in Monroe County, Chase has taken the values he learned growingup and turned them into a a succesful, family-operated business that serves the local community every day.
Doug Patterson, Madisonville High School Class of 1985
For Doug Patterson, Monroe County isn’t just whether he grew up; it is where he learned the value of hard work, high expectations, and showing up every day to do the job right. A 1985 graduate of Madisonville High School, Doug credits his Monroe County education with giving him knowledge and confidence to pursue his goals. Those lessons didn’t stop at textbooks; they showed up in the form of people who believed in him and pushed him to be better.
Eric Certain, Vonore High School Class of 1985
Eric “Chief” Certain, a 1989 graduate of Vonore High School, grew up on Mount Pleasont before beginning a distinguished military career. He credits his Monroe County education, especially the small, family-like environment of Vonore High School, for giving him confidence, personalized support, and a strong foundation for life and service.
Heather Lenoir Ervin, Sweetwater High School Class of 1995
Heather Lenior Ervin is a proud product of Monroe County Schools. She graduated from Sweetwater High School in 1995. She credits her teachers, coaches, and support staff with encouraging her to dream big and seize every opportunity. Growing up in a small town taught her that one’s beginnings do not determine one’s potential. thlete but as a person. Growing up in a small town taught her that one’s beginnings do not determine one’s potential.Angie Chapman Kyle, Tellico Plains High School Class of 1994
Angie Chapman Kyle is a proud member of the Tellico Plains High School Class of 1994 and is a shining example of what it means to be Monroe Made. As the owner of A Lot Less Factory Outlets, Angie’s story is one of faith, grit, community, and an unshakeable belief that dreams, when paired with hard work, can become reality. Read more about Angie Chapman Kyle.Kristen Hunt, Sequoyah High School Class of 2006
Kristen Hunt, a 2006 graduate of Sequoyah High School, has built an impressive career serving with the Department of Defense in the United States Air Force. Now living in San Antonio, Texas, she has dedicated nearly 13 years to military service, earning the rank of Master Sergeant and deploying around the world, including upcoming service in the Middle East. ast.
Larry Lay, Madisonville High School Class of 1981
Larry Lay is a proud graudate of Madisonville High School, Class of 1981, and a shining example of means to be Monroe Made. Today, Larry is self-employed farmer, growing soybeans, corn, and wheat, while also managing a cow-calf herd.
Dr. Terry Adams, Vonore High School Class of 1973
Dr. Terry Adams of Vonore, Tennessee, is a proud graduate of Vonore High School class of 1973 and a retired general and vascular surgeon with Tennessee Surgical Specialists. He credits his Monroe County education with giving him the strong foundation he needed for college, medical school, and more than 15 years of formal education.
Kippy Brown, Sweetwater High School Class of 1973
Sweetwater High School graduate Kippy Brown, Class of 1973, has lived a life shaped by hard work, gratitude, and deep Tennessee roots. A standout athlete during his high school years, Brown helped lead the Sweetwater Wildcats to back-to-back state football championships in 1971 and 1972, an accomplishment he still considers one of his proudest moments.
Nora Cole, Tellico Plains High School Class of 2006
Monroe County Schools is proud to highlight Nora Ann Cole, a Tellico Plains native whose dreams have truly taken flight. Coming from a long line of educators, Nora grew up understanding the value of a strong education—so much so that her mom was her 4th grade teacher and her dad served as principal at Tellico Elementary.
Justin Moses, Sequoyah High School Class of 1999
From the halls of Monroe County Schools to stages around the world, Justin Moses’s journey is a true testament to what it means to be Monroe Made. Now living in Nashville and working as a professional musician, Justin has built a remarkable career grounded in the strong educational foundation he received right here in Monroe County Schools.
