Mr. Travis Beacham is a member of the Cleveland High School Class of 1999. He is a current resident of Santa Monica, California, and works as a screenwriter.

During his time at Cleveland, Mr. Beacham wrote and directed several plays, served in student government, and was a writer for the school paper. His fondest memories of high school include the many plays he did, the choir trip to Disney World, and working on the school paper. He especially enjoyed the variety of odd ideas for extracurricular events he was allowed to organize, including a Murder Mystery Movie Marathon.

A sense of confidence is cited by Mr. Beacham as the greatest impact of high school. He is also most thankful for the faculty who indulged his creative inclinations and provided him with the outlet to articulate them.

Since graduation, Travis Beacham sold his first spec screenplay, Killing on Carnival Row in 2005. He then scripted the remake of Clash of the Titans for Warner Brothers. This summer’s blockbuster hit, “Pacific Rim”, was written by Mr. Beacham based on his own idea and he also authored the graphic novel, Pacific Rim: Tales from Year Zero, currently in its eleventh week on the New York Times Bestsellers List. Up next for him is “Ballistic City”, a television series on the AMC Network of which he is creator and executive producer.

She is as active in support of CHS athletics and activities now as in 1978! If ever there has been a fan of the Blue, it’s our next Hall of Fame inductee, Mrs. Kellye Hicks Bender.

Mrs. Kellye Bender is a graduate of the 1978 Class of Cleveland High. She currently serves as a supervisor in the Cleveland City School System.

Mrs. Bender enjoyed her time at CHS as a participant in the marching band, cheerleading, Anchor Club, Girls’ State Delegate, Jr. Miss, and in the CHS Choir. She loved her time at Cleveland so much that she can’t pick a single memory. She fondly recalls sporting events, band competitions and trips including marching in the Bicentennial Parade in Washington, D.C.. She loved high school events and cheering on the Raiders.

Mrs. Bender feels that the greatest impact of high school is the friendships and memories made while at CHS. She remembers teachers teaching them to believe in themselves, love each other, and dream big.

Mrs. Kellye Bender holds advanced degrees from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (M. Ed.) and Lincoln Memorial University (Ed.S.). She has worked in education as a teacher, counselor, assistant principal, and most recently as principal of Arnold Memorial School for seven years. She is now a supervisor in the Cleveland City System. Mrs. Bender serves her community on many local boards such as the Ratterman-Shell Scholarship Foundation Board, Creating Christmas Memories Board, and Tennessee’s Distinguished Young Women Program Board. She is an active member of Wesley United Memorial Church and has been married to Andy Bender for 30 years. Her children are Kate and Kari.

He wore the Raider blue jerseys on the football and baseball teams but also participated in nearly every activity CHS had to offer. Mr. Elvis Brandon is our next Hall of Fame inductee.

Mr. Elvis Brandon is a member of the 1982 graduating class of Cleveland High School. He currently resides in Old Hickory, TN, and is the Dean of Allied Health at Volunteer State.

Mr. Brandon was a very involved student at Cleveland High School. He participated in numerous student organization such as FCA and Student Government, he was a member of the band and National Honors Society. He also played football and basketball during his time at CHS.

Mr. Brandon’s best memories involved his time on the football team, including Friday nights of putting on the uniform and hearing Sonny Hicks announce the team’s arrival onto the field with the crowd cheering. He also credits his involvement with Mrs. Nancy Reiser’s Higher Excellence through Learning and Motivation, a program that encouraged creativity, learning, and independent study, as the biggest factor in his success in college.

Mr. Elvis Brandon holds degrees from MTSU and the University of Florida. He has worked in the physical therapy field in clinical and institutional settings as well as having served as the Athletic Training Coordinator of USA Roller Sports from 1993 to the present. Most recently he has been named Dean of Allied Health at Volunteer State Community College, a position he has held since 2007.

From the halls of CHS to the halls of the State Capitol, we are pleased to welcome Mr. Dewayne Bunch, Class of 1977.

Mr. Bunch is currently an appointed judge for the State of Tennessee, a position he has held since 2010. He graduated from CHS in 1977.

Mr. Bunch was a student-athlete member of the football and wrestling teams during his tenure at Cleveland High. He also was a member of numerous clubs, organizations and activities, and won many honors and awards. His greatest memory from CHS was learning life’s lessons with wonderful friends, involved parents, and some caring teachers and coaches. Lifelong friendships remain the greatest impact of high school on his life.

Since high school, Mr. Bunch graduated from Tennessee Tech with a BS degree. He was a varsity letterman for wrestling and eventually refereed for the TSSAA in football and wrestling as well as coached and taught for nine years. He earned his Master’s Degree from ETSU and his Dr of Jurisprudence from the University of Tennessee College of Law.

He was elected in 1998 to the Tennessee House of Representatives and was re-elected for several terms. He also was elected to the Tennessee Senate in 2006. During his time of political service, Mr. Bunch served on multiple committees and as chair of several task forces. He has been named TN Legislator of the Year. The legislative project Mr. Bunch is most proud of his securing and directing a state grant and working with other parents for private fundraising to plan, design, and construct a new soccer stadium for CHS. Mr. Bunch was a partner in the law firm of McCoin, McCoin, and Bunch from 1991 to 2010 and now serves as an appointed judge for the State of Tennessee.

He is a board member and speaker for the Church and Law Institute, the United Way committees, Bradley County Bar Association, and Johnston and Fletcher Park committes. He has volunteered through pro bono legal proceedings and serves at his church, First Baptist Cleveland. Mr. Bunch also served as the President of the CHS Athletic Booster Club for several terms in the 90’s.

Mr. Bunch has been blessed with a serving family of faith in wife, Karen and sons, Clay and Pierson. 

He was voted “Most Likely to Succeed” in high school and now serves as an Emergency Medicine Physician and the Medical Director of the Skyridge Emergency Center. Mr. Madison Torrence is our next Hall of Fame inductee.

Mr. Madison Torrence graduated from Cleveland High School in 1988. His successful medical career has lead to his current role as Medical Director and Emergency Medicine Physician at the Skyridge Emergency Center.

Mr. Torrence was a member of Key Club and was voted Most Likely to Succeed. His greatest memories from high school include taking his girlfriend (now wife) to prom, fostering valuable friendships, and the fact that Mrs. Hilliard, his Honors Biology teacher, created his love of life sciences.

The greatest impact of high school for Mr. Torrence involves relationships. Many of his closest friendships even now are friendships that he made while in the halls of Cleveland High.

After CHS, Mr. Torrence graduated Summa Cum Laude from East Tennessee State University with a degree in Biology where he was President of his Sigma Chi Fraternity, President of the Tri Beta Biological Honor Society, and organized the NE TN Save Our Streams Project. He earned Highest Honors from UT Memphis Medical School with his M.D., and was active in the Student Council and Phi Chi Medical Fraternity there. He did his residency at Wake Forest University in Emergency Medicine.

Mr. Torrence is married to Vanessa Torrence, a physical therapist. They have two children, Rebecca and Isabelle. 

Mr. Jay Elliott graduated from Cleveland High School in 1986. He is an attorney in Chattanooga, TN, with the Miller and Martin Firm.

Mr. Elliott was an honor student during his time at Cleveland and was in National Honor Society, a member of the Honor Group, and a Raider Scholar. He also was active in athletics, playing golf, soccer, and tennis. He was a member of the band and participated in Student Government.

Mr. Elliott remembers great friends, great teachers, and many wonderful memories. He feels that the greatest impact his time at CHS had on him was the lesson to work hard and take pride in what you do.

Mr. Jay Elliott graduated from Vanderbilt in 1990 and served his community as a high school math teacher with Teach for America from 1990-1992. He graduated from the University of Richmond Law School in 1995 and has been employed at Miller and Martin Law Firm in Chattanooga since 1995. He is married with two children.

Participating in the historic march from Arnold to the new Cleveland High School; All State, All Southern, All-American, Player of the Year in East Tennessee, Co-Captain, and CHS Most Valuable Player in football; CHS’s 1st Wrestling State Champion; Outstanding Teenager of America…What do all of these accomplishments have in common? Our next HOF inductee, Mr. Bill Emendorfer.
After CHS, Mr. Emendorfer went to UTK where he continued receiving academic and athletic honors including being a member of three Vols Bowl Championship teams.
After graduating from UTK in 1973, Mr. Emendorfer continued his education earning a Doctor of Dental Surgery from UT – Memphis in 1977.
Since graduation, he opened a private practice in general dentistry, dental surgery, and endodontics and pediatrics. He is presently the chief operating officer for Lifestyle Health Networks and the executive director of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.
From 1985 to 2012, Mr. Emendorfer was the President and CEO of Restaurant Concepts, Inc., owning and operating numerous restaurants in Tennessee, South Carolina, Alabama, and Mississippi.
His contributions to public service include leadership roles on numerous boards and advisory councils for the University of Tennessee, including the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.
He has been inducted into the Greater Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame, the Cleveland-Bradley County Sports Hall of Fame, and named a UT Football Legend.

Mrs. Vicky Gregg is a member of the 1972 Graduating Class of Cleveland High School. She is currently the chief executive officer of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, the state’s largest health plan which serves more than 3 million members in Tennessee and across the country.

Mrs. Gregg valued her time at Cleveland High School and would like to give special thanks to teachers Sylvia Coates and Ralph Titsworth.

Following her time at CHS, Mrs. Gregg attended the Erlanger School of Nursing. She has over 30 years of experience in diverse health care environments, including clinical care, hospital administration, long term care, and health care benefits and financing. She has also occupied several senior leadership positions in the company before becoming CEO.

Mrs. Gregg serves on several national boards. She is Chairman of the Board of the National Institute for Health Care Management Foundation, the Boards of First Horizon, TriZetto, the Electric Power Board of Chattanooga, and in 2012, TN Gov. Bill Haslam appointed her to the UT Board of Trustees. She has received numerous awards, including Modern Healthcare Top 25 Women in Healthcare, Health Ethics Fellow of the Trust, and Business Tennessee’s Most Powerful list. She was named the 2009 Tennessee Woman of Distinction.

Mrs. Gregg is married to Fred Gregg III, an ophthalmic surgeon, and has two children.

Mr. Allan Jones is a member of the 1972 graduating class of Cleveland High School. He is a Cleveland businessman and is the Founder and CEO of Check into Cash and Jones Management Services.

Mr. Jones was a highly decorated athlete in his years at Cleveland, both as a football player and wrestler. He was voted Outstanding Wrestler his junior year and Most Valuable Wrestler his senior year. He also was runner-up in the State Wrestling Tournament in 1972 and 38 years later, to the day, his son, Bailey won the State Title.

Mr. Allan Jones has served his community and state over the years through donations to local colleges and high schools to build various sports complexes and buildings, including the Jones Wrestling Center at Cleveland and the Allan Jones Aquatic Center on the UTK campus. He also created the city’s tree board and planted hundreds of trees on Cleveland streets and school campuses. Jones’s legacy in the Cleveland area is through the development of the local wrestling programs, starting with a kids’ wrestling program and culminating in high school wrestling programs that dominate the TSSAA State Tournament. He also founded MainStreet Cleveland, which as been designated as the state’s top MainStreet program.

Mr. Jones attended Cleveland State Community College and Middle Tennessee State University. He worked in his family business (Credit Bureau of Cleveland) from 1973 until he purchased it in 1977. He became Founder and CEO of Check into Cash in 1993 and Jones Management Services in 1996. This company is the third largest in the world and second largest in the nation. He was given the M.C. Headrick Free Enterprise Award in 2003 and was inducted into the UTC Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame the same year. He has received numerous honors and is a leading donor to many organizations. He also established a scholarship program called “The College of Knowledge” through Bradley Achieves which provides full scholarships for every graduating senior from Cleveland High, Bradley Central and Walker Valley High to attend Cleveland State Community College. 

State champion wrestler, US Army veteran, educator... We are thrilled to welcome BACK to Cleveland High School, Mr. Howard Langford, our next Hall of Fame inductee.

Mr. Howard Langford is a member of the 1986 graduating class of Cleveland High School. He currently serves as the Director of Technology and Telecommunications for the Dalton Public School System.

Mr. Langford wrestled and ran track for CHS. His greatest memory is connected to his time spent wrestling. The memory of winning the Wrestling State Title and the Outstanding Wrestler Award for the state of Tennessee is what he feels defined his time at CHS.

The realization of how significant some of his teachers and coaches were in shaping his future is the greatest impact high school had for Mr. Langford. There were certain teachers who played such a significant role in his life as a whole that it inspired him to have that type of impact on someone else.

Wrestling has remained a part of Mr. Langford’s life in his time since CHS. He was the first from Tennessee to be an AAU National Champion wrestler, was an NCAA Division I All- American Wrestler, and was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and the UTC Athletic Hall of Fame. Mr. Langford holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, and was named Teacher of the Year for CHS and Cleveland City Schools. When Mr. Langford taught at Cleveland High, he partnered with colleague Jeanette Schlaeger to create a book and video WWII documentary about Cleveland residents who were war veterans. He was awarded the National Freedom Foundation of Valley Forge Award for the documentary.

Mr. Langford has two daughters, Marissa and Lauren Langford. 

This former Miss CHS and Model UN delegate comes to us straight from an international assignment in Japan, having also interned at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugloslavia. Please welcome our next Hall of Fame inductee, Sara Murphy, Class of 1996.

Ms. Sara Murphy is a member of the 1996 graduating class of Cleveland High School. While she states that Cleveland, TN, will always be her hometown, she is currently a resident of Washington, D.C., where she is an attorney at the Paul Hastings firm.

Ms. Murphy was active in many forms of student leadership, including Governor’s School, Girls State and Girls Nation, the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Foundation, SCOPE, SGA, and Model United Nations. A member of numerous clubs such as National Honor Society and Anchor Club, she also participated in sports and drama. Ms. Murphy’s crowning achievement of her time at CHS was receiving the Superintendent’s Award.

Ms. Murphy’s greatest memory from high school was meeting President Clinton at the White House and ALL THOSE FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS! She credits her time at CHS with pushing her toward success, learning that if she could compete at CHS, she could compete anywhere. She also values the friendships she made in her time at Cleveland High.

Ms. Murphy earned a Bachelor of Arts from University of Virginia at Charlottesville, where she also participated in other student leadership programs. She was an American Fellow at the Uppingham School in England where she taught for two years. Ms. Murphy obtained a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Vanderbilt University Law School in 2006. Since then, she has practiced anti-corruption compliance and investigations law with Paul Hastings LLP, based in Washington, D.C.. She has worked in their London office for 22 months and also in Tokyo for 10 months. Ms. Murphy is active on the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs and also serves as an International Law Institute Guest Lecturer.

How many Student Body Presidents are also three-sport athletes? The CHS Class of 1979 Class President and our next Hall of Fame inductee, Mr. Mike Sharp, was.

Mr. J. Michael Sharp is a member of the 1979 graduating class of Cleveland High School. He currently serves his hometown as a Circuit Court Judge of the 10th Judicial District for the State of Tennessee.

Mr. Sharp was an active member of Cleveland High School during his time here. His activities ranged from Student Government, culminating as Class President his senior year, to Boys State and multiple sports teams. He received numerous honors and awards as a three-sport athlete for the track, wrestling, and football teams.

He characterizes his entire four year experience as the greatest possible memory and credits teachers’, coaches’, and staff members’ impact on his life in the areas of leadership and getting along with others as what prepared him academically and socially for the next phase of life. Betsy Vines, Richard Shaw, and Jeanette Schlaeger were three who left a specific impression on him.

Mr. Mike Sharp graduated with honors from both East Tennessee State University and University of Tennessee College of Law and has been highly successful in his legal career. He has served as a Vice President of First American Bank, as a partner in the law firm of Varnell, Burns, and Sharp for 18 years, and was elected to his current position as Circuit Court Judge of the 10th Judicial District for the State of Tennessee in 2008. Mr. Sharp serves his community through activities at his church, First Baptist Church, where he is a Deacon and Sunday School Director. He has served on the Chamber of Commerce Board and United Way Board, is a Business Roundtable Member, Business Advisory Council member at Lee University, and lectures in various educational venues. He has been married to Melanie Ann Sharp for 31 years and they have two children who are also CHS graduates, Sarah and Matt.

Daddy Warbucks in “Annie”, Student Body President, published author, youth pastor... Welcome Mr. David Skidmore, Class of 1989.

Mr. David Skidmore represents the Cleveland High School Class of ‘89. Today he works as a youth minister at North Boulevard Church of Christ in Murfreesboro, TN.

Mr. Skidmore served his school as Student Body President his senior year. He was also awarded the Superintendent’s Award and is an Eagle Scout. He played trumpet in the band all four years and was active in the CHS Theater Department. He also participated in the Academic Olympics Drama Team.

While Mr. Skidmore treasured his time at CHS and feels that every experience had a role in shaping him, what he holds most dear are memories of the times he shared the stage with friends in the Little Theater. The friendships made and confidence developed in those times have served him well even to this day.

Having spent the last eighteen years working with teens, Mr. Skidmore considers the greatest impact of his time at CHS having been the example from great mentors and teachers. The teachers he had were incredible and the work he does with the current generation in an overflow of the investment made in him during his years at CHS.

Mr. Skidmore received his undergraduate degree from Memphis State University in Interpersonal Communication and Family Communication Dynamics. He holds a Master of Arts from the University of Memphis. He has spent time in education, teaching at the University of Memphis and State Tech as well as teaching English in Ukraine. He has served as a youth pastor since 1996 and currently works with 280 7th-12th graders at North Boulevard Church of Christ. Mr. Skidmore leads his youth in mission trips and serves on the Board of Trustees for an orphanage in Mexico, as well as traveling as a motivational speaker and working to equip other youth leaders and volunteers. He is also a published author. Mr. Davis Skidmore is married to Melissa and they have three beautiful daughters, Daisy, Anna Belle, and Lila Mae.

Mr. Mark Smith is a member of the 1978 graduating class of Cleveland High School. He has been an integral part of the business community of Cleveland as a partner in the Smith family McDonald’s.

Mr. Smith valued his time at CHS and specifically remembers the fun had with his classmates and the great faculty. He was a two year letterman in football and baseball, involved in Key Club, and supported all CHS athletics.

He credits his time at CHS with teaching him how to be a great citizen and to be proud of where you came from. Mr. Smith cherishes lasting relationships with his classmates.

Mr. Mark Smith has accomplished many things in his time as a Cleveland businessman, but his most valued accomplishment is being business partners with his father. He is also very proud of the success of the Ratterman/Shell Scholarship, a scholarship given to a CHS senior each year. Personally, Mr. Smith is proud of his children, Melissa, Caroline, and Stefanie.

He was voted “Most Likely to Succeed” in high school and now serves as an Emergency Medicine Physician and the Medical Director of the Skyridge Emergency Center.

Mr. Madison Torrence graduated from Cleveland High School in 1988. His successful medical career has lead to his current role as Medical Director and Emergency Medicine Physician at the Skyridge Emergency Center.

Mr. Torrence was a member of Key Club and was voted Most Likely to Succeed. His greatest memories from high school include taking his girlfriend (now wife) to prom, fostering valuable friendships, and the fact that Mrs. Hilliard, his Honors Biology teacher, created his love of life sciences.

The greatest impact of high school for Mr. Torrence involves relationships. Many of his closest friendships even now are friendships that he made while in the halls of Cleveland High.

After CHS, Mr. Torrence graduated Summa Cum Laude from East Tennessee State University with a degree in Biology where he was President of his Sigma Chi Fraternity, President of the Tri Beta Biological Honor Society, and organized the NE TN Save Our Streams Project. He earned Highest Honors from UT Memphis Medical School with his M.D., and was active in the Student Council and Phi Chi Medical Fraternity there. He did his residency at Wake Forest University in Emergency Medicine.

Mr. Torrence is married to Vanessa Torrence, a physical therapist. They have two children, Rebecca and Isabelle. 

She started out in musicals on the stage in the Cleveland High School theater and has since provided back up vocals for Kenny Rogers and Bryan Duncan. Educator, volunteer, and band mom, our next Hall of Fame inductee is Mrs. Pamela Pressley Vaught.

Mrs. Pamela Vaught is a member of the 1973 Graduating Class of Cleveland High. She currently works for TN Eye Care Centers in EMR Data Entry.

Mrs. Vaught was very involved during her time at CHS and served as President of Drama Club and Thespians. She also participated in the Latin, Beta, and National Honor Society clubs and was in the East TN Choral Association for three years including All-State Chorus in 1973. She was a member of the first ever CHS Rifle Corp with the Blue Raider Marching Band. Music became an integral part of her life during her time at CHS, as she remembers sitting in the rehearsal room at All-State and being moved by the music surrounding her, deciding at that moment to stay involved with music for the rest of her life. She also fondly remembers “being on the stage” and the plays and musicals Cleveland produced.

It was at Cleveland High School that Mrs. Vaught began to realize what she wanted to be as an adult. She feels that everything she does now started here and is grateful for teachers who gave of their time and talents to encourage her. While they were simply following their calling, they may never have realized how much their words of encouragement helped her to realize hers.

Music continued to be part of Mrs. Vaught’s life as she traveled with numerous Lee University groups throughout the United States and Europe, representing Tennessee at Carnegie Hall. She graduated with honors from Lee University with a Music Education degree. Mrs. Vaught taught locally at Bradley Junior and won Teacher of the Year in 1985. She has worked in theatrical makeup, taught choral music and drama, backed up professional vocal artists, directed dramatic productions, and taught private voice lessons in North Carolina, Georgia, Nevada, and Tennessee. Recently Mrs. Vaught brought the Great American Music Award Program from Nevada to Hopewell Elementary. She loves being a band mom in her spare time. Mrs. Vaught married Laud Vaught in 1985 and they are parents of three Georgia Peaches by birth but Blue Raiders by choice, Kaylee (CHS Class of 09), Madison (CHS Class of 11), and Christian (CHS Class of 14).