Scott, Lynn to receive Volunteer Star awards

Locals to be recognized over the weekend in Franklin
FRANKLIN-Clay County’s Derek Scott and Kaylee Lynn will be recognized among several outstanding individuals from all across the state for their selfless volunteerism this weekend when the Governor’s Volunteer Stars Awards (GVSA) are handed out here at the Cool Springs Marriott.
One youth and one adult volunteer from each of Tennessee’s participating counties was selected to receive the prestigious award, and will be recognized Sunday, February 16.
“Derek has gone above and beyond for Clay County and its youth,” a summary on the GVSA webpage said about Scott, who is this year’s Clay County adult honoree. “He has organized a bake sale for nursing home residents, coordinated a horse show for the nursing home, and brought in a petting zoo for the elderly.
“He worked in conjunction with First Lady Maria Lee’s Tennessee Serves initiative to help build a community park at Hermitage Springs Park. Derek also formed the Horse Club for the Clay County kids, helping teach kids to ride and a new love for horses.
“Additionally, he has organized a dance for Celina kids and is a member of the local fair board. Derek works hard to improve our community and is a huge asset to its residents. His selfless efforts are changing lives!”
In addition to Scott, Lynn was chosen as Clay County’s 2024 youth honoree for her local volunteer efforts, also outlined on the GVSA webpage.
“Kaylee is a young lady who believes in helping her community,” the information explained. “She has volunteered a total of 265 hours this year with the Clay County Fairest of the Fair pageant, which is a major investment of time.
“She is the school’s football manager, Joint Economic Development youth representative, and a Clay County High School Media basketball photographer. She has coordinated auctions for the Clay County Cheerleaders and a classmate fighting cancer.
“She also helped with the Miss Fabulous Pageant. Kaylee continually invests her time in Clay County, and we are proud to have her.”
GSVA is Tennessee’s premier volunteer recognition initiative, which strives to recognize outstanding individuals, businesses, and nonprofits from across the state.
Since 2008, participating counties conduct a call for nominations and recognize one outstanding youth and one outstanding adult volunteer, like Scott and Lynn. GSVA also recognizes one business and one non-profit from each of Tennessee’s three Grand Divisions for their outstanding community involvement and service.
Volunteer Tennessee instituted GSVA in an effort to encourage more Tennesseans to help improve their community through volunteerism.
GSVA recognizes volunteers who have displayed tremendous dedication to serving in various ways throughout their local Tennessee communities.
Nominees are judged based on the community’s need of the volunteer service performed, initiative taken to perform the service, creativity used to solve a community problem and impact of the volunteer service on the community.
Volunteer Tennessee is coordinating the Governor’s Volunteer Stars Awards at the state level and is the 25-member bipartisan citizen board appointed by the Governor to oversee AmeriCorps and service-learning programs and to advance volunteerism and citizen service to solve community problems in the Volunteer State.
For more information about Volunteer Tennessee and the Governor’s Volunteer Stars Awards, please visit www.volunteertennessee.net.