East Tennessee families have plenty to celebrate this week. A local middle‑school athlete captured a national title, Girl Scouts extended a sweet thank‑you to service members, and a new science program invites fifth‑grade classrooms to explore the glowing wonders of the Smokies.
Rilyn Propst earns international jiu‑jitsu championship
Bearden Middle School student Rilyn Propst took home the Teen 1 Female Feather title at the International Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu Federation’s Pan Kids No‑Gi Championship in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Oct. 18. Competing as a grey belt for Alliance Jiu‑Jitsu Knoxville, Rilyn defeated Anaiah Bella Quintero by submission in the final match.
Her victory marks the third Kids Pan American champion to train at Alliance Jiu‑Jitsu Knoxville, bringing the academy’s total to six Pan American titles. Rilyn trains under her father, Laban Propst, a four‑time IBJJF Master World Champion who owns and leads the Knoxville academy. “Kids don’t get handed anything at this level — Rilyn earned every second of that match,” Laban said.
The accomplishment underscores the discipline, practice, and determination required to excel in martial arts, offering a powerful example for other young athletes throughout East Tennessee.
Girl Scouts deliver cookies to soldiers stationed abroad
Friends of the Troops, in partnership with Girl Scouts of the Southern Appalachians, recently sent boxes of Girl Scout cookies to soldiers stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia. The donation, funded by the Girl Scout council, was highlighted on the organization’s Facebook page as a way to show appreciation for service members serving far from home.
Both groups emphasized how community organizations can collaborate to support the military, even when the beneficiaries are hundreds of miles away. For the Girl Scouts, the effort reflects their broader commitment to service that extends beyond their immediate neighborhoods.
Glow Life science program invites fifth‑graders to explore bioluminescence
Scientists from Smokies Life, Discover Life in America, and Dollywood have launched Glow Life, a free science‑education program for eligible fifth‑grade classrooms in East Tennessee and western North Carolina. The curriculum focuses on bioluminescence—organisms that produce their own light—and biofluorescence—organisms that absorb one wavelength of light and emit another.
Participating teachers receive two lesson plans, an instructional video, and the chance to submit a classroom contest entry. Five winning classrooms will travel to Dollywood in spring 2027 for a NightFlight Expedition, giving students a hands‑on look at the region’s remarkable biodiversity.
The application deadline has been extended to Friday, Dec. 4, giving teachers additional time to apply. Beyond the trip, Glow Life aims to spark curiosity about the natural world and encourage students to observe the glowing wonders of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Community impact
These stories illustrate how East Tennessee youth are thriving through athletic achievement, civic service, and scientific discovery. Whether on the mat, delivering a simple treat to those who serve, or investigating the mysteries of light in nature, young people are embodying the values of hard work, generosity, and curiosity that strengthen our neighborhoods.
For more information on Alliance Jiu‑Jitsu Knoxville, the Friends of the Troops‑Girl Scout cookie initiative, or the Glow Life program, please visit the respective organization’s website.
Original reporting: Knox TN Today — read the source article.
