Bristol Herald Courier
The Gene “Pappy” Thompson Award for Excellence originated in 1982 to recognize an area high school student-athlete who exhibits exemplary athletic skills, but who also excels in the classroom and who gives of his or her time performing community service.
The award was named in honor of Thompson who spent nearly 50 years at the Bristol Herald Courier beginning as a news reporter before becoming a sports writer. He was later named sports editor and eventually executive sports editor.
Thompson wrote of the on-the-field accomplishments of athletes over the years, but he was just as interested in their success off the field.
Thompson was called “Pappy” as he was blessed with eight children.
Thompson, who began his career in 1937, retired in 1979 and was then named sports editor emeritus.
Thompson passed away on April 27, 1988.
High schools in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia were invited to nominate one senior for the award. The nominees are listed on pages B14-15.
From this list five finalists will be selected and profiled beginning on Tuesday, May 21. They will continue on May 23, 25, 28 and 30. And, from those five, one will be selected as the 2024 winner.
The winner will be profiled on Saturday, June 1.
Winners have come from 26 different schools, eight of which are no longer in existence. Abingdon has the most representatives with five, followed by Grundy with four and Patrick Henry with three. Eastside, Holston, Marion, Richlands have had two each, as did Clintwood, J.J. Kelly and Powell Valley.
The recipient will receive their own Thompson Award plaque and the school will showcase the original Gene “Pappy” Thompson trophy for the next school year.
The 2023 recipient was Jessi Looney from Grundy High School.
Kate Jessee
HONAKER
She hopes to one day be Dr. Kate Jessee as medical school is in her future plans and she has operated four years as a reliable leader in Honaker’s hallways, classrooms, gyms and soccer field.
Jessee was a top rebounder for Honaker’s girls basketball team and was a member of the 2022 VHSL Class 1 state championship team. She also excels at volleyball and soccer and overcame injuries to both shoulders that required surgery.
She has a 4.0 GPA and will receive an advanced studies diploma. She has won academic awards in history and accounting and had stints as both the president of the Student Council Association and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Jessee has also been involved with the Art Club and Spanish Club.
Jessee helmed a ceremony to honor veterans, coached youth league volleyball and is active at Swords Creek Community Baptist Church.
She plans to attend Clemson University before going to medical school to receive her doctorate in pediatrics.