Dyer County High School senior Macey Armstrong has been named the 2025 University of Tennessee-Knoxville Distinguished Tennessean for Dyer County. This honor recognizes students for exceptional academic achievement and active community involvement. One student from each of Tennessee’s 95 counties is awarded a scholarship covering tuition and mandatory fees, renewable for four years.
To be eligible, students must have a minimum 3.2 UT core weighted GPA and are selected through a comprehensive review of their admissions application and supplemental materials. Recipients must enroll in the fall semester immediately following graduation from a U.S. high school and must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or domestic international students.
To maintain the Distinguished Tennessean Award, recipients must uphold a 3.0 cumulative GPA, meet federal Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards, and remain enrolled full-time each semester.
Macey Armstrong is a dedicated and high-achieving senior with a 4.0 GPA, 29 hours of college credit, and an ACT super score of 27. Her leadership is evident through her involvement at Dyer County High School, where she serves as Prom Committee Co-chair and is actively involved in the student council, as well as organizations such as the Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy and Dyer County Youth Leadership. She is an active member of the National Honor Society and Beta Club, a football cheerleader, and a captain of the Dance Team. Additionally, she serves as secretary of her school’s HOSA club and was a state finalist in the organization’s competitions.
Beyond her academics, she has contributed over 275 hours of community service, demonstrating her passion for helping others. During Dyer County Fair Week, she dedicates her time to the Youth Department and assists with younger division beauty pageants. She has also been recognized as a National School Leadership Council Nominee and a Choctaw Ambassador. Her certifications in CPR, OSHA, and WIN further highlight her well-rounded skill set. Additionally, she has hands-on experience in event planning through her work at Lenox Event & Golf Company.
“Selfless service is an important act to build a positive community,” Armstrong has previously stated. “Helping others allows me to shift my focus from myself and become aware of the needs around me.”
After graduation, Armstrong plans to attend the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, where she will pursue a bachelor’s degree in sports management.