By Charlotte Underwood

KNOXVILLE, TN (WLAF) – Recent Campbell County High School graduate Abby Crumley (top photo) had her high school hard work pay off with recognition as a Distinguished Scholar and a full tuition scholarship award from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

Receiving the scholarship is life-changing for Crumley, who will be starting her journey at UT this fall studying Industrial Engineering.

“For me, the biggest thing is having the financial stress taken away so I can focus on my major. All my hard work over the past four years has paid off; the feeling is more than words can ever explain,” Crumley said.

Each year, the University of Tennessee Knoxville chooses a Distinguished Scholar from each county to receive the scholarship, which pays the mandatory fees and tuition. Recipients are chosen based on a variety of criteria including leadership, academics, extracurricular activities and having good all-around character.

Crumley found out in March that she had been chosen but had to keep the secret under wraps until the university made the announcement, which it did last week.

The university launched the Distinguished Tennessean Scholarship Award in the fall of 2022 with the “goal to recognize one student from each county across the state for exceptional academic performance and demonstrated community engagement.

Abby Crumley served as the CCHS Golf Captain her senior year. 

Crumley fit the criteria and had an active four years at CCHS. She played golf for three years, serving as the Captain of the CCHS Golf Team her senior year. She also served in the Beta Club for three years as well and was the Beta Club secretary her senior year. Crumley was also on the student council for two years, serving as the reporter her senior year, and she spent all four years in the CCHS Pep Club.

Throughout her high school career, Crumley said she challenged herself to see how well she could do in everything she tried whether it was academics, sports or extracurricular activities.

“My biggest motivation was to achieve more; I hated when I got anything below a 90, I would beat myself up for it,” Crumley said.

When she learned she had received the scholarship, Crumley said she “fully understood” the impact of all her hard work in school “truly paying off.”

Crumley said she had been very fortunate to also have received additional scholarships that will cover her room and board while at school.

Abigail Crumley is a Distinguished Tennessee Scholar and has received a scholarship from the University of Tennessee. She is pictured with her mom San San Crumley and her father Richard Crumley.

While at UT, she plans to study Industrial Engineering.

In 2022, Crumley attended Governor’s School at UT and was placed in the Industrial Engineering class, which she said helped shape her decision.

“Growing up I always knew I wanted to do something with my hands or physical. I also loved math and science and picked up the business side, so that major puts it all together,” Crumley said.

Crumley said she wanted to thank those that had supported her along her journey, including Pyro Shows where she works.

“They have been the best support throughout my school, and I can’t thank them enough.”

San San and Richard Crumley with their daughter, Abby, on graduation night in May.

Crumley also said she especially wanted to thank her mom and dad, San San and Richard Crumley for “always pushing me to be the best I could and to give it my all. They know my potential and I will continue to fulfill what they see in me,” Crumley said. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 06/10/2024-6AM-PHOTOS SUBMITTED)

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