Tech is taking over schools, and these students are among the best at harnessing it.
Six nominations were submitted by school principals and teachers for The Tennessean's second poll of the 2026-27 school year, recognizing students in tech.
Each week during the school year, we invite school officials to nominate students who are the "best of the best" in new categories each week ranging from academic excellence to performance arts and more.
Then you, the reader, get to vote.
New polls launch on Mondays and close Thursdays with a winner declared on Friday.
Below are the nominations for this week and what was said about each student. Cast your vote by 1 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 3.
Caroline Baker, Creek Wood High
Creek Wood High junior Caroline Baker is enrolled in Dual Enrollment Networking
V for the 2026-2027 school year. The class is paired with nearby TCAT Dickson, according to Creek Wood High Computer Science and English III Teacher Nancy Jackson.
"She has taken and excelled in every Computer Science class that is offered at Creek Wood. including DE Computer Science Foundations, DE Computer Systems and Coding I," Jackson said.
Baker is also a member of her high school volleyball and basketball teams and flag football.
Marcus Criss, West Creek High
Marcus Criss, a senior at West Creek High in Clarksville, is the producer in his school’s AV 4 class and student-run TV show, Coyote Entertainment Television.
"(He) also made an informational video about our new weapons detection system that is being used by our district to inform parents, students, and staff about the system," West Creek High AV I & III Production Teacher Carder Tipler said.
Criss is a part of his high school’s Broadcasting Club and won first place in best news package in Clarksville-Montgomery County School System’s Screen Fest Competition in March, according to Tipler.
He was also accepted into and attended the TN Governor's School for the Arts over the summer.
Sydney Horlander, Rossview High
Junior Sydney Horlander is in her second year of Rossview High’s Cybersecurity Career and Technical Education program and is an active member of the Rossview Innovators in Science and Engineering STEM Club.
"As a young woman pursuing cybersecurity and computer programming, fields in which women remain underrepresented, Sydney is an inspiring example for other female students considering a STEM pathway," Rossview High Cybersecurity Teacher Grant Stoebner said.
Horlander attended Austin Peay State University’s Coding Camp over the summer, expanding her programming skills with Lua for Roblox.
"She continues exploring coding in her free time through Minecraft projects and contributes her creativity and technical abilities as a member of the school yearbook staff," Stoebner said.
"Sydney’s initiative, curiosity, and commitment to technology make her an excellent representative of both students in tech and the growing number of young women shaping the future of STEM."
Karlee Lusk, Tullahoma High
Tullahoma High senior Karlee Lusk is an outstanding Career and Technical Education champion, Tullahoma High Principal Greg English said.
Lusk is enrolled in her school’s capstone health science course and clinical internship for the 2026-27 school year and has independently achieved her Certified Nurse Aide license.
"Karlee is passionate about healthcare and serves as a student advisor on the Blood Assurance board," English said. (She) is working hard to network and gain experience for her future."
Briella Reed, Greenbrier High
Greenbrier High student Briella Reed earned industry certifications in Microsoft Excel and Word as a freshman, when school officials normally would not expect that accomplishment until a student’s junior year.
"She worked hard in her computer applications class and exceeded expectations," Greenbrier High School Principal Katie Osborne said.
"She is continuing her business path as a sophomore, and we look forward to future technology accomplishments she will make as a high school student."
Millard Thomas III, John Overton High
Millard Thomas III is a senior at John Overton High in Nashville, where he leads live-event production for the school's Bobcat Players and a performance schedule including two musical performances and two multi-act drama performances, John Overton High Computer Science Teacher Sean Price said.
"He is also using his technical expertise to lead production of the school's burgeoning digital news broadcast, leading a team of student presenters and technical staff in the production and post-production of their weekly news broadcasts," Price said.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tech skills shine in latest Tennessean Student of the Week poll: Vote now
