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District

Counseling Department

The Seymour High School Counseling Department is comprised of three counselors and an administrative assistant/registrar. Professional school counselors are certified/licensed professionals with a master's degree or higher in school counseling and are uniquely qualified to address the developmental needs of all students. Professional school counselors deliver a comprehensive school counseling program encouraging all students' academic, career and personal/social development, and help all students in maximizing student achievement.  

School counseling is an integral part of the school program. The school counseling model is developmental and sequential. It is implemented by licensed school counselors with the support of teachers, administrators, support personnel, students, parents and community members. The school counseling program belongs to everyone and serves all students.

The Role Of A School Counselor

  • To counsel with students individually and in small groups
  • To present developmental lessons in the classroom and in small groups
  • To serve as a student advocate
  • To consult with teachers, administrators, school support personnel, parents and business/community agencies
  • To participate in school meetings
  • To work with parents in teaching effective parenting skills, creating a positive environment, and encouraging parent participation
  • To provide staff development in identified areas of need and in orientation to the school counseling program
  • To provide leadership in career development of all students
  • To coordinate school activities pertaining to the school counseling program
  • To facilitate the evaluation of the school counseling program
  • Please contact our registrar, Mrs. Sondra Ownby via email at sondraownby@sevier.org or via phone at 865-577-7040.

  • The Tennessee Department of Education handles public requests for duplicate diplomas and education verifications, which have historically been processed using paper forms. Currently, the department is transitioning from a paper-based system to a digital format to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and productivity. 

    To support this change, the department is asking districts to remove any direct links to paper forms on their websites. Instead, districts should link to the department’s duplicate diploma and education verification webpage, where both the paper forms and the new online request form will be available. 

  • DUE DATE: SCHOLARSHIP $ AMOUNT APPLICATION/WEBSITE LINK Important Tips
    8/28/25 Roan Scholar - ETSU Full Tuition See Ms. Fox 1 individual from SHS will be our nominee; a resume including your community service, leadership skills, and explanation as to why you should be our nominee should be turned into Ms. Fox
    8/29/25 First Gen Fellowship $1,000 First Gen Fellowship 50 scholarship awards for first-generation college students
    8/29/25 Beyond Type 1 Scholarship $10,000 Beyond Type 1 Scholarship Scholarship for studnets living with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes pursing undergraduate and associate degrees
    8/30/25 Social Shifters Global Innovation Challenge up to $15,000 Social Shifters Global Innovation Challenge A grant opportunity designed to give young impact founders a platform, providing project funding, unique leadership learning, and exclusive exposure through some of the world's biggest brands.
    8/30/25 VPMA Statewide Scholarship $1,500 VPMA Statewide Scholarship Etomology, Environmental Studies, Biochemistry, or chemical engineering; attend college in VA
    8/31/25 SC&RF Scholarship $5,000 SC&RF Scholarship Recipients are pursuing a career or related major to the crane, rigging and heavy haul industry (a small niche of the construction industry)
    8/31/25 Clubs of America Scholarship Award $1,000 Clubs of America Scholarship Award Scholarship for undergraduate students passionate about their field of study.
    9/1/25 Tennessee HOPE Foster Child Tuition Grant $500 Tennessee HOPE Foster Child Tuition Grant attend college in TN; be an adopted/foster child/orphan
    9/1/25 Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship $20,400 Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship See application for specifics as this scholarship has very specific peramiters
    9/1/25 Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award $10,000 Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award Musicians with limited financial background - - Music (General), Music - Composition, Music - Instrumental, Music - Performance, Music - Theory, Music - Vocal
    9/10/25 10X Digital Marketing Scholarship $4,000 10X Digital Marketing Scholarship Pursing a degree in Business, Business Administration, Advertising & Public Relations, International Business, Business Management, Marketing, Communications, Web Design, Applied Science & Technology
    9/11/25 STAR Scholarship $2,500 See Ms. Fox for application This scholarship is awarded to a young woman graduating from a high school in Sevier County. Must be a citizen or permanent resident of US or Canada; minimum 3.0 GPA; exhibit excellence in leadership, academics, extracurricular activities, community service and potential for future success.
    9/15/25 Catching the Dream Program $5,000 Catching the Dream Program 95% of applicants receive a scholarship; must be an enrolled member with 1/4 degree or more American Indian blood from a federally recognized, state-recogized, or terminated US Tribe; exact blood quantum must be stated on teh certificate; no exceptions to the blood quantum rule
    9/15/25 Heart Warrior Achievement Scholarship $5,000 Heart Warrior Achievement Scholarship The Heart Warrior Achievement Scholarship provides assistance to undergraduates and high school seniors who suffer from CHDs, in hopes of reducing some of their burden from an already hard journey with CHD.
    9/15/25 The Gates Scholarship Full tuition The Gates Scholarship Minimum 3.3 GPA; 4 year college; top 10% of class; demonstrate leadership skills; exceptional personal success skills; US Citizen; Pell-elligible
    9/18/25 Girl Up STEM Scholarship $10,000 Girl Up STEM Scholarship Females wishing to pursue a degree in Agronomy & Soils, Architecture, Biology, Entomology, Computer Science, Communication Networks & Security, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Engineering, Mathematics, Materials Science, Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences, Physics, Science (General), Aerospace Technologies & Engineering, Computer Engineering, Medical Technology, Medicine, Applied Science & Technology, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Molecular & Cell Biology, Science (Health), Civil Engineering, Science (Social), Animal Science, Radiologic Sciences, Electrical Engineering, Oncology
    9/30/25 The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship $20,000 The Coca-Cola Scholars Program A highly selective scholarship for high school seniors who exhibit strong leadership qualities and have at least a 3.0 overall GPA.
    9/30/25 QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship Full tuition QuestBridge National Scholarship QuestBridge matches low income background student swith full 4-year scholarships from 55 of the nation's best colleges.
    9/30/25 Doodle for Google Scholarship $55,000 Doodle for Google Scholarship Google has always been known as a champion for creativity and for creating environments where ideas blossom into innovations, but with the Google for Doodle Scholarship, this philosophy is extended to the arts. Through this competition, artistic students have the opportunity to craft an original "doodle" that brings their personal goals and creativity to life on a global stage.
    9/30/25 Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest $8,000.00 Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest minimum of 2.0 GPA; For each Quarterly Contest, the topic of your Written Essay or Video Essay (your “Essay Topic”) must be an individual you know personally, who lives in your community. Your Written Essay or Video Essay must address how the individual you have selected as your Essay Topic has inspired you and helped you build the confidence you need to achieve your goals.
    12/5/25 TN Concrete Association 25-26 High School Essay Contest 1st $750 - 2nd $500 - 3rd $250 See Ms. Fox for application Limited 600 word essay in regards to student's awareness of concrete's role as a building material in homes, commercial buildings, streets and highways
    12/10/25 Loretta McCoin Scholarship $2,500 See Ms. Fox for application This scholarship is awarded to a young woman graduating from a high school in Sevier County. Minimum 3.0 GPA; exhibit excellence in leadership, academics, extracurricular activities, community service and potential for future success.
    12/10/25 Carolyn G. Ward Scholarship $2,500 See Ms. Fox for application This scholarship is awarded to a young woman graduating from high school in Sevier County. Student must be pursuing an undergraduate degree in music; planning on attending an accredited college/university; Consideration of leadership skills, academics, extracurricular activities, commuity service, and goals

Guidance Announcements

Miss Gatlinburg and Miss Smoky Mountains Scholarship Competition: Sept 20

Miss Gatlinburg and Miss Smoky Mountains Scholarship Competition, which will take place on Saturday, September 20th in Gatlinburg:

This local competition is part of the Miss Tennessee and Miss Tennessee’s Teen Scholarship Program, providing young women with the chance to earn college scholarships, build leadership skills, and engage in meaningful community service opportunities. Please reach out to Sydney McKay Whitice for details about the competition and application process. missgatlinburgcompeition@gmail.com or 865-603-4386

Fifth Annual Military Academy Day

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger (TN-01) is pleased to announce that she will be hosting her fifth annual Military Service Academy Day for students and their families in Tennessee's First Congressional District who are interested in learning about the educational opportunities available at the United States Service Academies.
 
“It’s one of my greatest privileges to support young men and women in Northeast Tennessee who aspire to attend our nation’s prestigious service academies,” said Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger. “Each year, this event opens the door for young folks to engage directly with representatives from our military academies, ask questions, and begin charting their course toward a future of service to America.”
 
Students will have an opportunity to speak with representatives about course selections, extracurricular activities, and more.
 
The event will be held on Saturday, September 20th at the Kingsport Center for Higher Education, located at 300 W. Market Street in Kingsport, TN 37660. Registration begins at 9:00 AM.
 
RSVPs are required for attendance: TN01.Academy@mail.house.gov .
 
Representatives from the following Military Academies will be in attendance:


  • U.S. Air Force Academy
  • U.S. Coast Guard Academy
  • U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
  • U.S. Naval Academy
  • U.S. Military Academy - West Point

UT 4-H Youth Development looking for Seniors!

UT 4-H Youth Development is looking for seniors for their program:
The program will:
-Build skills to succeed in college and your future career
-Discover career paths that match your passions and talents
-Be part of a statewide community of students preparing for success
-Earn digital certifcates to boost resume, 4-H portfolio and LinkedIn profile
-Learn the basics of financial literacy to manage money better
-Learn about the Next Chapter award to the University of Tennessee

If interested, reach out to Sami Albright at salbrig4@utk.edu or https://tiny.utk.edu/extensionmap