Saul Young

University of Tennessee men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl speaks Thursday night at the News Sentinel's Academic Achievers dinner, sponsored by Edamerica, at the Knoxville Convention Center.

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East Tennessee's best and brightest high school students were honored for their hard work and success in the classroom Thursday night at the News Sentinel's Academic Achievers awards program and dinner at the Knoxville Convention Center.

The Academic Achievers program, which has honored more than 6,600 students since its inception in 1985, is sponsored for the second consecutive year by Edamerica, a national student loan provider with headquarters in Knoxville.

Keynote speaker Bruce Pearl, the men's basketball coach at the University of Tennessee, extolled 311 students from 63 East Tennessee high schools to continue to set and meet great expectations as they make the transition to college and beyond.

"You're the best and the brightest we have and you are literally our future," said Pearl to a crowd of nearly 1,000 people that included students, parents and educators.

"When you go off to school and beyond, don't put a limit on where you set the bar."

Pearl said low expectations were perhaps the biggest obstacle when he took over as UT coach three years ago. The common thought was the Vols were relegated to third place - or worse - in the SEC East behind powers Kentucky and Florida.

Pearl, whose Tennessee team won its first outright SEC title in 41 years this season, said one of his first tasks was to upgrade expectations.

"We're not going to win the SEC championship every year, but we're going to have something to say about it … the SEC championship is going to have to come through Knoxville."

Thursday's honorees have accomplished much as their high school careers come to an end.

Morristown East High School valedictorian Brandi Canter carries a 4.4 grade-point-average, and plans to attend Tusculum College to study mathematics.

"I do everything possible to get the grades I have. I come straight home (from school) and do my homework," said Canter.

Pearl told the students to always do their best and keep their eyes on the prize, but enjoy the ride.

"Be the best you can be at everything you do, but enjoy the process of learning. They say adversity builds character, but I don't believe it. I believe adversity reveals character. … I know no other way to build confidence than through hard work."

That's the philosophy ascribed to by Roane County High School's Chancey Carothers, who sports a 4.12 GPA and plans to major in pharmacy at East Tennessee State University.

"The key to being a good student is just trying and doing your best," said Carothers.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.