A contingent of 15 students descended upon the state capitol to participate in the 47th Annual Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature (TISL) forum, which was attended by 550 students statewide. Since it first convened in 1966, TISL teaches and unites student leaders as they exchange ideas, express their opinions and learn how government works. Planning, hard work and dedication paid off in the form of TISL’s highest award: The Best Overall Delegation, besting 46 participating colleges and universities from across the state.

“Students from Tennessee community colleges and universities arrive at the state capitol in Nashville to debate bills that they have written that can become state law. Students can participate in the Senate, House, Lobbying, Media team and Appellate Moot Court Collegiate Challenge (AMC3) mock court,” states Jessica Aldridge, Student Government Association Vice President. “We have three bills awaiting the Governor to look at including, ‘An ACT to abolish the death penalty in the state of Tennessee,’” she shares excitedly.

TISL 47th General Assembly, House of Representatives included Mikaila Rummage, Pedro Rodriguez, and Savannah Champion. TISL 47th General Assembly, Senate representative and head delegate for the Legislative team was Jessica Aldridge.

TISL 47th General Assembly, Director of Media and head delegate for the Media team was Austin Adderholt; DeAnna Scarpelli served as TISL Media – TISL TIMES, AMC3 Beat Reporter; Itzel Toro, TISL Media – Broadcast; and Nicholas “Nick” Doonis, TISL Media – Graphic Design.

Serving as Lobbyists at the TISL 47th General Assembly were Hannah Clarneau, Juan Sandoval, and Natoria Jefferies.

Chattanooga State’s AMC3 team included Val Hill, Courtney M. Scott, Megan Turner, and Kelsey Terry, who served as team leader.

Dr. Kenneth Goldsmith, Director of Paralegal Education at Chattanooga State and ABA Commissioner for Paralegal Education was one of three advisers accompanying Chattanooga State students who shared, “I think the best observation from me about TISL is how hard our students worked to achieve their goals. The AMC3 students prepared for court between rounds and in the evenings (like paralegals do); the media students were working long hours throughout the day (like media professionals do) and the legislative team never stopped working (like legislative and lobbyists do). In fact, if you didn’t know they were students, you would have thought that they were young professionals working in their careers. This is why TISL is so important for our students and why SGA should be applauded for ongoing support of the program.”

Additional awards were presented to
Mikaila Rummage, House Representative - Carlisle Award; Juan Sandoval, Lobbyist - Best Lobbyist; and Deanna Scarpelli, Media - Best Feature Report, AMC3 Competition.

Other advisers who accompanied the students included Brad McCormick, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Angela McClister, Instructor of Journalism & Social Media.

For more information about how to become involved with activities, such as TISL, at Chattanooga State, please contact Sandy Rutter, Dean of Student Life at 423-697-4475 or email sandy.rutter@chattanoogastate.edu.