Dobyns-Bennett graduate awarded Peyton Manning Scholarship

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) — A Dobyns-Bennett High School graduate has been selected as one of four incoming students at the University of Tennessee Knoxville (UTK) to receive the Peyton Manning Scholarship.

Mallori France was named a recipient of the four-year award and will take part in the Haslam Leadership Scholars Program. While at UTK, France plans to study biomedical engineering.

While at Dobyns -Bennett, France was the band’s baritone section leader and equipment manager. The university’s news release states that France also mentored and tutored younger students and played varsity soccer .

France also volunteered with the United Way’s Little Libraries program and at Petworks Animal Shelter.

In a statement posted to UTK’s website, France said she hopes to be able to use her studies to address the opioid crisis in Northeast Tennessee.

“To everyone involved, thank you for seeing my potential and allowing me the honor of being named a Peyton Manning Scholar,” said France. “Mr. Manning’s extensive charity work reveals his true embodiment of the Volunteer spirit and serves as a guiding beacon as I embark on my own journey. I hope to research alternatives to traditional pain management medication to combat the opioid crisis that negatively affects my beautiful home.”

Manning endowed the scholarship when he graduated in 1998. It is awarded to students who epitomize service and leadership.

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