Knoxville, TN. (May 16, 2019) — ​Don Shawl, founding member and Partner of Peak Restaurants, was inducted into the Big Brothers Big Sisters Hall of Fame in Knoxville, TN, at the non-profit’s third annual Hall of Fame Induction and Scholarship Awards Celebration on May 16. Jeff and Missy Shawl accepted the inductee plaque on behalf of Don.
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Don was recognized for his exceptional efforts with the charity: He established the Bristol, TN, BBBS agency in the 1980s. He served as the vice-chair of the board of directors and recently funded BBBS-ETN’s literacy based mentoring program, “Reading to Learn.” 

“Your passion for youth and mentorship is evident in everything you do,” reads the plaque honoring Don Shawl. “Your deep impact is felt in Bristol and through-out East Tennessee.”

Congratulations, Don, on this much-deserved honor!

Knoxville, TN (May 13, 2019) — DeVore Solomon, student at West High School and Deane Hill McAlsiter's team member, was recently honored by the Boys & Girls Club, receiving the organization's Youth of the Year honor. Upon receiving this honor, he was featured on Knox County Schools' website. Congratulations, DeVore!

Click here to read the story, written by Josh Flory.

Photo Credit: Knox County Schools

Johnson City, TN (May 30, 2019) — To celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, we asked you, our guests, to nominate educators who have made an impact on you or our local community. Today, we announce our winner at our Johnson City location. Congratulations to Sandra Forbes of Grandview Elementary School, who was chosen as an Outstanding Educator in her community.

"Sandra Forbes is a kindergarten teacher at Grandview Elementary and has taught all three of my children," wrote nominator Rick Simons. "She is excellent at making learning fun and engaging all different types of learners. She has allowed me to volunteer in her classroom on a few occasions and I always come away amazed by how organized and in-control she is of 20+ kindergartners!"

Ms. Forbes is awarded a $50 McAlister's gift card and a certificate as well as tea and cookies for her class. Thank you, Ms. Forbes, for all you've done for the students in your community. 

We received many amazing nominations, and we want to recognize them all. Here are the Teacher Appreciation nominees in Johnson City:

• Betsy Barton, Happy Valley Middle School
  
• Emily McMacken, Happy Valley Middle School
  
• Belinda Mitchell, Grandview Elementary School
  
• Teresa Niemann, Johnson County High School
  
• Ashley Seehorn, Blountville Middle School