By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Dr. Lolly Eldridge firmly believes some of life’s best lessons are taught in the classroom.
Eldridge — a decorated 1994 Union City High School graduate and noted OBGYN at the Jackson Clinic – told a large crowd at the school’s Academic Banquet Monday that her education and extracurricular experiences as a Golden Tornado have indeed spilled over into her successful professional life.
“I was well-prepared for my next chapter because of the things I was a part of and learned here at Union City High School,” Eldridge said in a delivery that both recognized and challenged the Top 10 students in each class. “The standards have always been high at UCHS in all things.”
Eldridge recalled the words of 1800s microbiologist and chemist Louis Pasteur — written in Greek lettering and presented to her initially as a bonus question on her first failed test in a Union University organic chemistry class – as one of those lessons she learned.
“Chance favors the prepared mind,” she smiled, reciting the correct interpretation of the letters. “After I dropped that class initially, I had to take it again when I decided I’d major in medicine. The same bonus question that was on the first test was on the second one, and I got it right and got those extra points.”
Eldridge relayed four simple ‘Life Lessons’ learned in that class to students in her speech.
“That first life lesson taught me to prepare, she claimed. “The second thing I learned is to do hard things. I learned I could do hard things, and, when we do hard things, we discover it’s well worth it. Get out there and do hard things and you will learn something about yourself.
“The third was PTW – Prove them wrong… also known as believe in yourself. I’m amazed at what women can do and have done, and that’s not to compare women to women or women to men. Grit serves you well in school but also in life. By being at this Top 10 banquet, it proves you are at the table and bound for great things.
“And the final life lesson I learned is sometimes you just get lucky. I was fortunate to have a super family and to have many life-shaping experiences at UCHS. I think it rivals any place in West Tennessee, and I encourage you to soak it all in.”
Among the many in attendance that included parents of the honorees and boosters of the program were Eldridge’s parents, Gary and Marsha Houston — the former the longtime Director of UC Schools.
“I went to my dad to for some direction on what to speak about and he told me to talk about what I knew and what I was passionate about,” said Eldridge, who said she was attending the awards ceremony 30 years after she was among the honorees for four straight years as a freshman.
“Initially, I was a biology major without a plan. I did some soul searching and, with a lot of prayer, finally realized it was my God-given desire to be a doctor. I’m blessed in that medicine and the path I’ve followed to get where I am is among my many passions.”
UCHS Principal Jacob Cross and Vice Principal John Graham announced the members of each class’s Top 10 and presented the honorees with certificates.
Cross then recognized those in attendance who’d earned the honor in multiple years, saving special acknowledgement for seniors Dalton Bone, Ben Martinek, Ben McMillan and Leah Wisener, who made the Top 10 list each of their four years at UCHS.
SENIORS
Dalton Bone, Neil Brown, Erin Gill, Tammy Huyhn, Ben Martinek
Ben McMillan, Laken Prather, Gabriel Qualls, Carter Walton, Leah Wisener
JUNIORS
Kamia Cross, Daniel Edwards, Hope Kennedy, Elizabeth Lattus, Silas Petty
Lydia Runions, Olivia Tanner, Kobe Terrell, Sara Ullrich, Annie Wade
SOPHOMORES
Toni Armstrong, Khali Brooks, Alyssa Durham, Reagan Durkee, Chloe Meade
Owen Rodgers, Jocelyn Ruiz, Kate Schlager, Madeline Underwood, Charlton Wisener
FRESHMEN
Shelby Bondurant, Sarah Del Valle, Lucas Greer, Emily Hammond, Molly Kizer
Taryn Landry, Joseph Lattus, Ella Palmer, Marlee Theobald, Bailey Waggoner
TOP 10 ALL 4 YEARS
Ben McMillan, Dalton Bone, Ben Martinek, Leah Wisener
Photo: Top Ten students all four years of high school, from left, Ben McMillan, Dalton Bone, Ben Martinek, Leah Wisener.