Obion County Central High School graduate Dr. Alanna Vaught will serve as the keynote speaker for the 2026 Obion County School System Top-10 Academic Banquet.
The banquet is an annual event that honors the top academic achievers from across the district’s two high schools of Obion County Central and South Fulton.
School Communications Director Lauren Kendall said Dr. Vaught now serves as an instructor and dual credit program coordinator in the Middle Tennessee State University School of Agriculture.
She earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business with a minor in secondary education from Middle Tennessee State University, a Master of Arts in Instructional Leadership from Tennessee Technological University, and a doctorate in Agricultural Education from Texas A&M University.
Since joining the MTSU faculty in 2006, Dr. Vaught has taught 28 courses and was instrumental in creating the agriculture dual credit program, securing two Perkins IV Reserve Grants totaling $276,500.
As coordinator, she has spoken to over 4,800 high school students in approximately 31 counties, encouraging post-secondary education options and college success techniques.
Dr. Vaught has given national presentations on the success of the agriculture dual credit program and earned first place in the Southern Association of Agricultural Educators Innovative Idea Presentation competition.
She also developed the M.Ed. Agricultural Education Leadership Program, incorporates hands-on learning in her classes, and works closely with local industry, 4-H, and FFA to connect students with opportunities in agriculture.
Dr. Vaught has been recognized for excellence in teaching innovations, receiving the “Outstanding Teacher Award” from the MTSU Foundation in 2012, and earning the 2022 “True Blue Citation of Distinction”.
Since 2014, Dr. Vaught and her students have annually executed the AG ED Spring Fling, hosting over 700 Pre-K–2nd grade students, and deliver additional agricultural education programs to over 2,000 children each year.
Dr. Vaught and her husband Phillip are the owners of a commercial Boer goat and Dorper sheep operation, where they also show Dorper sheep on a national level.
Together with their sons, John Buyrl and Jess Michael, they are actively involved in agriculture and also own two historic event venues and Air B&B properties in Milton, Tennessee.
The Top-10 Academic Banquet will be held on Sunday, May 3rd at Discovery Park of America, and is an invitation-only event.
