Nora Sue Hutchison, an honors graduate of Anderson County High School from Maynardville, Tenn., has been named the 2006 recipient of the Peyton Manning Scholarship. The scholarship has been awarded annually since 1998 to a first-year student participating in UT's Honors Program in honor of Manning, the former Vols signal-caller, co-captain and 1997 All-America selection.

Peyton Manning and UT Director of Financial Aid Jeff Gerkin joined Nora Sue and her parents, Dr. Carson and Teresa Hutchison, in making the presentation during a June 22 ceremony at the Thornton Athletics Student Life Center. Hutchison's grandmother, Sue Whitehead, and sister, Jessica, were also in attendance along with Anderson County High School Principal Dr. Robert McCracken. The presentation took place directly in front of the "Peyton Manning Study Area," another byproduct of the Manning years at Tennessee.

For Peyton, it marked the continuation of a nine-year tradition in which he travels back to Knoxville to present the award personally. You wouldn't expect any less from Peyton, who always seems to do things the right way… and with a flourish.

"It's hard to believe this is the ninth recipient of the Peyton Manning Scholarship since 1998," Manning said. "Nora Sue continues what has become a tradition of outstanding academic students to receive this award. She adds to that a really solid athletic background and is just a tremendously well-rounded person. I'm proud to have her as a recipient."

Hutchison left her mark at Anderson County High School in many ways while earning salutatorian honors (4.00 GPA) for the Class of 2006.  

She served as president of the ACHS National Honor Society and was vice president of the Leo Club while also assuming editorship of the school yearbook.

Her lengthy athletic resume` included lettering as a member of the soccer, tennis and track squads and playing on the volleyball team. Twice she earned All-State laurels on the soccer field, and her tennis doubles team once advanced all the way to the state tournament. On the track, she participated in the 300m high hurdles, the 200m and the 800m. And in her spare time, she enjoys serving as a referee for local AYSO soccer matches.

"Mr. Manning can throw the perfect pass with 300-pound men hurtling towards him," Hutchison said. "However, it is Mr. Manning's character as a person and generous nature that makes him a hero. Even 300-pound men can't crush that spirit.

"There aren't words to properly express my gratitude to Mr. Manning, and I can only strive to represent all for which he stands. My grandmother refers to him as 'an angel in a football helmet,' and I wholeheartedly agree with her."

A speech communication major who was No. 1 in his 1997 graduating class, Peyton Manning is the career passing leader at Tennessee with 11,201 yards, a 62.5 completion percentage and 89 touchdown passes.

The Manning Scholarship is funded from gifts to the University garnered from Manning's academic awards, the UT Athletic Department's corporate matching grants program and other private gifts.

Manning's four-year career at UT (1994-97) produced a number of awards that generated $165,000 in scholarship funds. Among the awards were the Burger King-Vincent de Paul Draddy National Scholar Athlete of the Year, the Davey O'Brien Foundation Award and the American Honda Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

The Manning Scholarship covers the costs of tuition, room and board. The award is granted to a first-year student on the basis of academic achievement, leadership and community service.

Previous Winners of the Peyton Manning Scholarship:

Jessica Nicole Jarrell (2005)
Mohawk, Tenn.
West Greene High School

Michael Austen Clapp (2004)
Greensboro, N.C.
Ragsdale High School

Bradford A. Russell (2003)
Charlotte, N.C.
Myers Park High School

Rachel Lauren Matthews (2002)
Knoxville
Carter High School

Kimberly Anne Campbell (2001)
Union City
Union City High School

Hampton Andrew Holcomb, Jr. (2000)
Memphis
Evangelical Christian School

Rebekah Ann Capps (1999)
Nashville
Christ Presbyterian Academy

Jay Stephen Burns (1998)
Bulls Gap, Tennessee
Greeneville High School