Clinton High honors four alumni for service and achievement
Clinton High School honored its 2025 Wall of Fame inductees on Friday, Oct. 24. The ceremony recognized Major Robert Jamison Jr., class of 1982; Joey Smith, class of 1997; Kelly Dean Johnson, class of 1989; and state Rep. Rick Scarbrough, class of 1983. (photo:Tony Cox )
The 2025 inductees are Maj. Robert Jameson, Kelly Johnson, Rick Scarbrough, and Joey Smith. The official ceremony took place before the homecoming football game on Oct. 24.
Maj. Robert Jameson
Jameson, a 1982 Clinton High School graduate, served as band captain and basketball statistician and was a member of both the Student Council and National Honor Society.
He earned a business degree from the University of Tennessee in 1986 and, through the university’s ROTC program, was commissioned as a second lieutenant. That marked the beginning of a distinguished 20-year military career.
Jameson entered the U.S. Air Force pilot training program in Texas, training on T-37s, T-38s, and B-52s. He was promoted to captain and flew 11 combat missions during Operation Desert Storm.
In 1998, he was promoted to major and flew additional combat missions in Kosovo and Yugoslavia.
Over his career, he logged more than 4,800 flight hours.
After retiring in 2007, Jameson returned to the Air Force as a contract pilot instructor, sharing his expertise with future B-52 pilots for the next 16 years.
Kelly Johnson
Johnson, a 1989 Clinton High graduate, who is now director of Clinton City Schools, earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Carson-Newman University, graduating magna cum laude.
She served as president of the Kappa Delta Pi education honor society and received the university’s Student Teaching Award.
In 2005, she earned a master’s degree in educational supervision and administration from Lincoln Memorial University.
Johnson has taught kindergarten, fourth grade, and fifth grade, and has served as assistant principal and principal of Powell Elementary School.
She later worked as a curriculum and instruction supervisor in both Knox County and Clinton City Schools.
Since 2016, Johnson has served as director of schools for the Clinton City system, overseeing 135 employees who serve about 970 students.
Her leadership has helped the district achieve Exemplary Status from the Tennessee Department of Education and Reward School designations.
In 2024, she was named East Tennessee Director of the Year.
Johnson has overseen expansion projects at Clinton Elementary and South Clinton Elementary schools, playground improvements, and creation of the Blaze Well-Rounded Program, which offers about 15 extracurricular activities for students.
Rick Scarbrough
Scarbrough, a 1983 Clinton High graduate, currently represents the 33rd District in the Tennessee House of Representatives, where he began serving in 2024 and was honored as Freshman of the Year.
He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Tusculum University and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
Before entering politics, Scarbrough spent 40 years in law enforcement, including 16 years as Clinton’s police chief.
In 2014, Scarbrough was named Tennessee Police Chief of the Year, and he completed the College of Policing’s Senior Leadership Series in Manchester, England.
He now serves as executive director of the University of Tennessee Law Enforcement Innovation Center.
Joey Smith
Smith, a 1997 Clinton High graduate, is a Realtor, artist, historian, school board member, and active community volunteer.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing from Freed-Hardeman University.
He has worked for 21 years at Sellers Realty, specializing in advertising, marketing, and visual presentation. Readers of The Courier News voted him Best Real Estate Agent in 2013, 2014, 2019, and 2022.
Smith’s passion for local history is reflected in the many historical markers he has helped establish around Clinton.
He serves as vice chair of the Historic Downtown Clinton board and has worked with numerous local organizations, including the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce, Business Development Committee, and Knoxville Area Association of Realtors.
He is also a member of the Clinton City School Board, where he is known for his close involvement with teachers and students. As an artist, he created the mural at Clinton High School and illustrated the city’s Storybook Trail.
All four honorees exemplify the Clinton High School tradition of excellence and community service.