France, the daughter of Derrick and Kelli France, graduated from Dobyns-Bennett High School in May 2024. France intends to major in biomedical engineering with interests in medical device design and therapeutics. She hopes to research alternative approaches to pain management to address the detrimental impact of opioid use.

 

"The faculty and staff at Dobyns-Bennett celebrate Mallori and this accomplishment," said Dobyns-Bennett High School Principal, Dr. Brian Tate. "She has worked tirelessly in academics and extracurriculars to position herself for such a prestigious opportunity. This hard work will allow success to follow Mallori throughout her career."

 

A member of the Dobyns-Bennett High School Band, France earned two national championship titles and was a section leader and equipment manager. She was active in various clubs and organizations, serving as an ambassador for Little Free Libraries through United Way Kingsport, and tutoring younger students. France represented Tennessee as a U.S. Presidential Scholar candidate, is a National Merit Commended Scholar, and AP Scholar with Distinction. In her spare time she enjoys weight training, and holds four Tennessee state powerlifting records.

 

“Every year we have the privilege to learn more about and engage with these talented and immensely accomplished applicants from Tennessee and beyond,” said Patrick Akos, Associate Vice Provost and Executive Director of University Honors. “We have great confidence that these 15 scholars have demonstrated incredible leadership capacity and a desire to make a difference in Tennessee. The Haslam Leadership Scholars program will enter them into a community of leaders, push them to grow and develop within the campus community and support them fully to enable them to achieve their dreams.”

Scholars receive an endowed scholarship that covers tuition, fees, and housing. They participate in an exclusive leadership-focused curriculum and a fully funded collaborative study abroad program and are guaranteed a paid internship at a leading Tennessee company or organization.