The recent school year has come to an end, and that means our high school seniors are embarking onto their next journeys in life. Erica Garton, the owner of EJ’s in White House, wanted to make that journey a little easier for a deserving graduate, and thus the “What I Love About White House” Scholarship was created. 

To enter for the scholarship, the applicant needed to follow EJ’s on Facebook and Instagram, submit their senior photo, write a 1-3 paragraph essay on the topic “What I Love About White House,” and post it on EJ’s Facebook page. 

This was the first year EJ’s offered the senior scholarship, but it will not be the last. “It was rewarding to be able to give out a scholarship like that to such a deserving student,” Erica said. “I felt like it would be a great opportunity to show love for children and the community.” 

Erica felt that she was able to provide an unbiased opinion when reviewing the applications because she is not from White House originally, and she appointed a committee of people to review them as well. According to EJ’s original Facebook post, “Creativity, humor, passion for your community and school and additional factors will all be considered. Academic merit is not a factor in this award as long as the student is in good standing with their school and did graduate this spring.”

The winner, announced on Tuesday, May 30, was Caleigh Anderson, a 2023 White House High School (WHHS) graduate who will be attending Lipscomb University in the fall. Caleigh will be majoring in biology with a track in pre-medicine. She also plans to work a part-time medical assisting job throughout college to utilize the certification she got through a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant course this past year at WHHS.

Caleigh was ecstatic to win the EJ’s scholarship. She said, “I truly love this town and to be a part of it is a blessing. I am super thankful for the local businesses like EJ’s that give back to the community and make White House such a special place!” She also noted how expensive college and medical school will be, so receiving this award takes a little bit of stress off her plate. 

Erica and her team at EJ’s has made such a positive impact on this young woman’s life and the community of White House. Go check out their Facebook page to read all of the wonderful submissions for the “What I Love About White House” Scholarship.

Caleigh’s Entry:

14,948. 14,948 people reside within the city limits of White House, Tennessee. 14,948 individuals are able to answer the question, “Where are you from?” with “White House, TN!” 14,948 people live and breathe the city of White House, Tennessee everyday they step outside their front doors.

I live in Portland, TN—ew, I know. I started out my school years going to Portland schools. I spent the first 7 years of my life wearing that gaudy purple. My earliest friends all graduated from Portland High School this past week. I was once a panther.

I was not born in White House. Neither of my parents were alumnus of WHHS. I’m not any type of “White House Royalty”, as I like to call those who are offspring or grandchildren of individuals who have made a large impact on the community. I came to love the city through unbiased means. I grew up playing all the rec sports the city had to offer at White House Park. The community my family came to love at the park led me to transfer from Portland to White House and I started school at HB Williams in the 3rd grade. Once I moved schools I became a Blue Devil for life (it only took a couple years for the nickname “Portland” to wear off, thanks, Coach Bargery and Wietecha…).

Throughout my years at White House schools I have been able to grow infinitely and been embraced every step of the way. The elementary and middle school on the Sumner Co. side of White House prepared me for what was ahead and introduced me to the theme of being a Blue Devil, and it was not until I got to WHHS when I was truly able to understand how big an impact the older kids that I looked up to had on those younger Blue Devils lives. I was able to embrace what it truly meant to be a Blue Devil this past year. I was chosen as a Blue Crew Leader at WHHS. I was able to play the sport I loved and also have younger girls look up to me while doing so. I was able to do things within the community like painting the windows at City Hall for this years Christmas Parade. I was given countless opportunities to soak up every ounce of BDP this city has to offer. Although not everyone in White House recites the script, BDP we each have our own, PFL, CCS, DSA, etc. the chants all mean the same same thing. Family.

Now yes I may bleed BDP, but that is not my favorite thing about White House ,Tennessee. My favorite thing about White House, TN is that a former panther could be so accepted and embraced by their community that they were able to lead their classmates and younger Blue Devils to show what BDP truly means.

The family that has been built in this town does not stop at the school systems within the community, and the connections between the individuals within the city only get stronger when you look at each generation.

14,948 people make me and many, many others feel as if we are just as much apart of the city of White House, TN as any other resident. I am proud to say I am from White House, TN.

***(P.S.) I am a very bad procrastinator so I hope y'all don't pull a TN Titans PA announcer contest stunt and go solely based on most likes/comments...

*****Also sorry about the 974939207263 paragraphs I would be doing all of my English teachers a disservice if I condensed my rambling into three paragraphs.

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