COSBY-The growing successes of Cosby High School students and teachers in the school's ever-expanding advanced studies programs have caught the attentions of teachers and administrators across America.

In July, CHS teachers Shawna Murrell and Tina Williamson, who teach English and math respectively, traveled to Washington, DC in July to speak at the National AP Conference. Their topic, "Inspiring Disadvantaged Students to Participate in Advanced Studies Programs," highlighted the school's commitment to prepare students for success in college, vocational programs, and other post-high school areas.

Williamson and Murrell were among 3,500 teachers and administrators attending the conference. Their presentation and follow-up session for questions lasted one hour and fifteen minutes. "We could have gone another hour with the questions," said Williamson.

Murrell and Williamson shared information about Cosby High's success in inspiring students to take Advanced Placement and/or dual enrollment courses while in high school. The successful completion of these courses nets the students both high school and college credits.

"Last spring, one of our students graduated with over 40 college hours," said Murrell, "and will enter Tennessee Tech this fall as a sophomore."

Basing their program on an academic concept involving community service and advanced academics, Murrell and Williamson co-founded the Cosby Academy four years ago.

To become an Academy member, students and their parents must sign a contract in which they pledge to complete a designated number of community service hours as well as enroll in advanced academic courses.

"Basically they are resume building," explained Williamson. "This way our students are competitive at the university level."

Last year's Academy members accrued over 10,000 hours of community service and were chosen Volunteers of the Year by the Cocke County Department of Tourism for their help with such projects as 'Under the Apple Trees,' the 2008 Leadership Class Chili Cook-off, and Old Timey Night.

"The number of hours students must build increases as they get older," said Murrell. Sophomores must build 50 hours, juniors 75, and seniors 100.

"Our 2010 graduates had completed 127 college courses," added Williamson.

Course offerings include AP Psychology and AP Biology, as well as dual enrollments classes in American history, music appreciation, Calculus I & II, Finite Math, Problems/Statistics, and Composition I & II.

"We approached our program with the goad of getting students to realize that advanced academics are 'cool' and that they will receive special recognition at graduation," said Murrell.

Students who successfully complete advanced academic courses receive graduation cords in the colors of their academic areas to wear at graduation.

"The biggest challenge we face, of course, is money," said Murrell. "Students may tap into Tennessee's lottery scholarship money for $300 each semester, but the rest of the costs and textbooks come out of their pockets. They only qualify for $300 each semester, regardless of the number of classes they take. They also can't apply for FAFSA while they are still in high school."

Students taking AP (Advanced Placement) courses receive their textbooks from the Cocke County school system, but those taking dual enrollment classes must pay for their books.

Williamson is looking forward to joining fellow CHS teacher Kristi Clouse this year in teaching distance learning classes for students at both Cosby and Cocke County High Schools. Williamson will be teaching Calculus I, while Clouse teaches Composition I.

"Next semester we'll be adding similar classes in Criminal Justice, Calculus II, and Composition II," she added.

In addition to the academic classes and community service, Murrell and Williamson strive to expose their students to as many cultural and educational opportunities as possible.

"We attended the symphony at Niswonger last year," said Williamson, "and even went to Forbidden Caverns. Our goal is at least one activity per month."

An estimated 50 teachers attended Williamson and Murrell's presentation and included a representative from the Department of Education, someone from the College Board, and teachers from as far away as Texas, California, and New York.