Kingsport City Schools Announces 2023 KCS Hall of Fame Inductees

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Kingsport City Schools has announced the 2023 class of the Kingsport City Schools Hall of Fame, which will be inducted on Tuesday, August 1, 2023:

Nancy Bovender - Nancy Bovender retired in 2007 with 32 years of service (1975-2007) as a teacher for Kingsport City Schools. During Mrs. Bovender’s tenure with KCS, she served as a science teacher at Ross N. Robinson Middle School and a chemistry teacher at Dobyns-Bennett High School. She was named the Dobyns-Bennett High School Teacher of the Year in 2006. In addition, Mrs. Bovender taught chemistry and physics for two years at Orange High School in Hillsborough, NC. She is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is an enormous Tar Heels fan. Mrs. Bovender is noted for her enthusiasm for chemistry, for teaching, and for her students’ minds and lives. Retirement has not slowed Mrs. Bovender's involvement in education. She still spends time mentoring chemistry teachers who have come after her and tutoring individual students after school. Mrs. Bovender is recognized for not only mastering her subject matter, but also for having the unique ability to interpret and instruct her students in ways that were engaging, stimulating, and memorable. Nancy Bovender was elected to the KCS Hall of Fame in the Modern Era category (Retired less than 25 years from induction).

Cheryl Breeding Rice - Cheryl Breeding Rice retired in 2014 with 27 years of service (1987-2014) as a teacher for Kingsport City Schools. As a proud Dobyns-Bennett High School graduate, Mrs. Rice was honored to spend the majority of her career as a Spanish teacher at Dobyns-Bennett. In addition, she was a reading specialist, interim teacher, substitute teacher, and served as the Kingsport City Schools Historian. She is remembered for being committed to excellence and for teaching the whole child. Mrs. Rice was affectionately known by her students as someone that had the presence to command a room while being a light in every life she touched. She was noted for her high expectations, but also for providing the support needed to help students achieve their goals. Mrs. Rice is recognized as being a dedicated and talented Spanish teacher, a strong pillar in the community, and a generous woman with an unwavering commitment to Kingsport City Schools mission and to the success of its students. Cheryl Rice was elected to the KCS Hall of Fame in the Modern Era category (Retired less than 25 years from induction).

Established in 2015, the ninth class honors and recognizes employees that have made significant contributions to KCS and its students. The Hall of Fame serves as the keystone employee award celebrating the district’s history of excellence.

"It is a privilege to honor Nancy Bovender and Cheryl Rice and the incredible positive impact they have made on the lives of our students, families, and staff," said KCS Superintendent Dr. Chris Hampton. "The Kingsport City Schools Hall of Fame serves as the keystone award recognizing exemplary KCS employees. Nancy and Cheryl are truly the best of the best!"

The KCS Hall of Fame features up to two inductees annually in each of the three categories – “Legacy” (Retired 50 years or more from potential induction), “Tradition” (Retired 25 to 49 years from potential induction), and “Modern Era” (Retired less than 25 years from potential induction). To be eligible for consideration, nominees must have been regularly employed by KCS for a minimum of five years and have been retired from the district for a minimum of five years. Any former KCS employee (teacher or non-teacher) meeting the eligibility criteria may be considered.

The 2023 KCS Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at 11 a.m. located at the Toy F. Reid Eastman Employee Center, 400 South Wilcox Drive, Kingsport.

Kingsport City Schools (KCS) is a public school district located in Kingsport, Tenn., serving students in Sullivan and Hawkins county. The district is comprised of 13 schools, including a Pre-K, eight elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school, a high school program of choice, and an alternative learning program; with a total enrollment of over 7,900 students.

KCS has been ranked the "#1 Best Place to Teach in Tennessee" by the 2023 NICHE Best Schools Ranking and the City of Kingsport has been voted as the "Nicest Places in America" in the October 2022 Reader's Digest.

For more information visit www.k12k.com, listen live on WCSK 90.3 FM, The Voice of KCS, or call the KCS Administrative Support Center at (423) 378.2100. We’re social too; follow us on Facebook (kcsdistrict), Instagram (kcs__district), Twitter (@kcs__district), LinkedIn (kcsdistrict), and check out our YouTube Channel (@kcs__district).

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