Normally, on Saturdays, we conclude our ramblings in this space with a weekly star.
But this story was more than a footnote, and this story felt like more than a couple of paragraphs.
So, welcome to the first Terrific Tuesday, since we are big on alliteration and we, as a society, are starving for stories that make us smile.
We need more stars, be them on Saturday or Tuesday. We need more people doing it right for the right reasons. People doing it better because they want to be better. People doing more because they know they can.
Well, today, we're going to start with a superstar.
There were a lot of them in our city as the Tennessee Association for the Gifted held its annual meeting here last weekend.
Sadly, most of the stories we hear from our public schools make us shake our heads. The problems and the accompanying denial that often permeate our leadership seem never-ending.
But there also are many good stories that do not see the light of day. A laundry list of heroes who are stars who shine brightly enough to share their light with others.
At the TAG awards, local teachers and students were honored. Teachers Kelly Davis and Lauren Lindsey, as well as student Salsabila Nurhidajat and distinguished service award winner Lindsey Glass, each deserve a tip of the visor this morning and a rousing ovation. Congratulations to each of you and be proud of your work.
This morning's true superstar, though, is Isaiah Brown Henry, a Red Bank Middle Schooler who was named student of the year - along with Nurhidajat.
Henry smiled at the awards ceremony, sitting at the table with his mother, siblings, aunt and his swim coach. The pride of the moment was matched only by the accomplishment of his journey.
According to his mother, Adriana Brown, after moving to Chattanooga a few years ago the family struggled. Brown told this newspaper's Yolanda Putman they were homeless as she struggled to find consistent work.
She knew her son was bright - every parent believes that assuredly - but Brown's faith and diligence was delivered. After getting a regular job at Erlanger, she and her family were able to plant roots. And once planted, Henry flourished, taking off in the classroom like kudzu.
"I can't express how honored I am to be known as one of the smartest students in Tennessee," Henry told Putman.
Sir, considering how much you and your family have overcome, and how much you refused to quit and never lost sight of the path of right and hard work, smart is only the starting point for Isaiah Brown Henry.
A superstar indeed.
Contact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com and 423-757-6343. His "Right to the Point" column runs on A2 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.