A trio of local high school students are Knoxville bound this month.

Mary Weddle and Abbey Townsend of Elizabethton High School, and Taylor Shanks of Unaka, were recently invited to be presentees at the 58th annual Teen Board Presentation Dance.

The Teen Board Presentation Dance, scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 25, is one of the largest teenage (black tie) dances in the country where teenagers and adults alike enjoy the same social occasion. Last year hundreds of leading teenagers as well as adults (from various parts of the United States) enjoyed the same event.

“This is our one outstanding social event of the year,” said Kendra Walker Patty, co-director of the Teen Board. “It is not just a dance or a social debut for teenagers. It has far greater meaning. The Teen Board of Knoxville is building leaders for the future.”

The Teen Board of Knoxville is a private, non-profit organization solely for teenagers (14-18 years) with adult help. Its purpose is to get the teenagers to work and take the lead in civic and welfare projects, and to lift their social and moral life to higher standards. Last year over 12,000 hours were given to civic and welfare projects for charitable organizations.

“After 58 years, adults have seen results of this work in the good leadership in colleges and universities shown by our former members,” Walker Patty said. “By learning to help those less fortunate at this age, in turn they have helped themselves develop a public and civic responsibility they are carrying on as adults.

“This Presentation Dance is a reward for those local girls and boys who have completed their hours of service,” she continued. “We honor selected girls from other parts of the country who are rising seniors, by inviting them to be presented along with our outstanding teenagers.”

Saturday Aug. 25, the weekend starts with practice and brunch, followed by the Mayor’s dinner, honoring the Presentees’ and other important dignitaries. The evening of August 25, we continue with the presentation of the Presentees and dance at the Knoxville Convention Center. Following the presentation is a black-tie reception.