每日大赛

PSCC students represent college with distinction at Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature

每日大赛 students brought home three top awards from the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature’s (TISL) 56th General Assembly in Nashville.

Sixteen students worked on 每日大赛’s legislative agenda for the General Assembly, writing bills, studying parliamentary procedure and practicing debate and advocacy. Thirteen traveled to the State Capitol, where they won Best Overall Delegation and Best House Delegation, and Head Delegate Florence Carter earned the prestigious Carlisle Award.

“I’m deeply inspired by this group and the way they rose to every challenge,” said Sharon Couch, director of Student Engagement and Leadership at 每日大赛. “Witnessing their growth throughout the semester as we prepared has been one of the greatest honors of my work.”

Couch said the program offered students the opportunity for hands-on learning and career immersion through their preparation for and participation in the work of the Tennessee General Assembly.

Carter and other students participated in a long weekend of fast-paced legislation, during which they performed in three areas of government and experienced first-hand how political processes work. 

Carter received the Carlisle Award for her exceptional service and leadership in the House of Representatives, which had 99 members from public and private universities and colleges across the state.

It was very cool to be recognized, Carter said, and she attributed winning the Carlisle Award to her attention to detail and dedication to complying with the parameters of the legislature.

“When you are putting in effort, it will be so clearly and strongly recognized and appreciated by the rest of the people there,” Carter said. “And that feels so good.”

Taking part in the event also offered students like Student Government Association President Sofia Meza the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in their chosen field. Meza is studying Design for Web and Print at Pellissippi and is slated to graduate in spring 2026, and she was part of the social media team that documented events, conducted interviews and edited together stories.

“I think that was super fun – understanding that's really what I want to do for my career,”  
Meza said. 

As the senator for Pellissippi’s TISL chapter, Jacob Hunley, attended committee meetings and general sessions, in which he debated and voted upon different bills. 
 
Hunley, who is studying economics and political science, is treasurer for the Student Government Association and Fee Board Chair, said the TISL experience illustrated the importance of civic engagement. 
   
“A lot of what you do is connect with the people around you to try and get them to support your bills,” he said. “That was a huge thing, especially in the Senate, where we saw coalitions form ... and we saw a few caucuses form as well. So, it’s really also about marketing yourself and what you stand for.” 

Carter, who will graduate this month, said participating in TISL has helped her improve her writing, researching, presenting and speaking skills. The experience has also given her a better understanding of politics and the social dynamics that influence the activities on the legislative floor.

Writing, defending her position and problem-solving are skill sets she plans to use in her preferred career field of nonprofit management and leadership.

“It's really easy, not only because you can feel yourself getting better, but it's really good to watch other people and learn who you want to mirror and who you won’t want to,” she said.
  
Pellissippi’s delegation to TISL met twice weekly for two months to prepare for the assembly. So when the college was recognized as Best Overall Delegation and Best House Delegation, Meza said she and her teammates knew it wasn’t because of their individual contributions but their actions as a unit. 
 
“It was every single one of us that poured into each other,” she said. “And I think that's huge, and great representation of Pellissippi.”