Excelling in academics, leadership and community service has earned 10 students a $2,000 Gordon Bone Memorial SharingChange Scholarship. The scholarships help students from MTE member homes cover expenses to attend a Tennessee two- or four-year accredited college or trade school.

“These scholarships are one way we tangibly demonstrate our commitment to the communities we serve,” said MTE Community Relations Supervisor Jay Sanders. “Helping these deserving young people further their education is an investment in our future community leaders.”

The 2025 winners and areas of study

CANNON COUNTY

• Kiley Hughes, daughter of Derrick Hughes; social work and Spanish, Freed-Hardeman University

RUTHERFORD COUNTY

• Taylor Lott, daughter of Matthew Lott; forestry, UT-Knoxville

WILLIAMSON COUNTY

• Shiloh Branson, daughter of Steven and Kristy Branson; biology, Belmont University
• Emma Pennington, daughter of Joseph and Erica Pennington; psychology, UT-Knoxville
• Sadie Sharp, daughter of Stephan and Caitland Sharp; biology, UT-Knoxville

WILSON COUNTY

• Carson Meeks, son of Chris and Dana Meeks; wildlife science, Tennessee Tech University
• Brooke Johnson, daughter of Barry and Francene Johnson; finance, UT-Knoxville
• Kaylee Rocha, daughter of Ken and Keri Rocha; agribusiness, Middle Tennessee State University
• Mackenzie Sharber, daughter of Danny and Lori Sharber; nursing, Trevecca Nazarene University
• Luke Winzenread, son of Stephen and Shannon Winzenread; mechanical engineering, Tennessee Tech University

Funding futures

She dreams of peering through microscopes in a laboratory. His ideal workspace has no walls and is always a bit unpredictable. Their approaches differ, but Shiloh Branson and Carson Meeks have a similar goal: making the world a better place.

The two are among the recipients of the 2025 Gordon Bone Memorial SharingChange Scholarships. Their stories illustrate the unique paths — and the inspiration behind them — the winners are taking to career fields ranging from agriculture to wildlife.

Committed to caring

“I was given a gift I can never repay,” 18-year-old Branson said, explaining what inspired her to pursue a career as a biomedical scientist.

Diagnosed with a heart muscle disease, she received a life-saving heart transplant at 6 months old. Though the scar from the incision in her chest is nearly faded, Branson must safeguard against organ rejection every day of her life. In addition to the 17 pills that are part of her daily routine, she carefully monitors what she eats and takes precautions to avoid even a simple cold that can threaten her health.

“It makes me value life more,” she said about her daily routine. “I’m just grateful to be alive and to have the opportunity to help other people.”
 

With the help of the SharingChange scholarship, she recently began her freshman year at Belmont University studying biochemistry and molecular biology. She hopes to one day develop treatments and medications for those with chronic diseases.

Shiloh graduated in May as valedictorian of Williamson County’s Vanguard Virtual High School. The oldest of five children, she’s the daughter of MTE members Steve and Kristy Branson of Thompson’s Station.

A ‘natural’ calling

“The SharingChange scholarship changed my life; I wouldn’t have gone to college without it,” said 20-year-old Meeks, son of MTE members Chris and Dana Meeks of Watertown.

Meeks originally planned to learn a skilled trade and quickly move into the workforce. Receiving the SharingChange scholarship meant he could meet his personal goal of obtaining a college education without incurring debt.

He’s now a junior at Tennessee Technological University with a 4.0 grade point average. “I want SharingChange contributors to know they made a good investment in me,” the three-year scholarship recipient said.

Choosing to study wildlife science was a natural fit for him. “I have always had a love for the outdoors — hunting, fishing and exploring the natural world,” he said, adding that involvement in 4-H forestry and wildlife activities furthered his interest.

With his tuition paid by scholarships, Meeks is able to supplement classroom studies with activities such as serving as president of Tech’s Wildlife Society, membership in the collegiate chapter of Ducks Unlimited and volunteering with
4-H and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. He hopes to earn a position with the state agency following graduation.

“The number of people who engage in outdoor activities like hunting and hiking has dropped dramatically in the last decade,” he said. “I really hate that people don’t have that connection anymore. I want to spark an interest in the outdoors for younger people — show them how nature works.”