Maryville student's Dolly Parton essay catches state attention

Maryville student's Dolly Parton essay catches state attention

The Daily Times

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

By: Mathaus Schwarzen

A Sam Houston Elementary School student’s essay about Dolly Parton has found a new audience following the Tennessee icon’s death. School staff said representatives of the Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett’s office reached out to them shortly after Parton’s passing Aug. 25, asking to use the essay and its accompanying artwork in her memory.

Seven-year-old Maisie Noda wrote about Parton last year as part of a civics essay contest, describing her as “a person from Tennessee who shows America at its best.”

Noda highlighted Dollywood, Parton’s music and the Imagination Library, writing that Parton showed “what it means to be helpful to others and be proud to be from Tennessee and America.”

The essay also included Noda’s drawing of Parton playing guitar beneath the American and Tennessee flags.

Shelby Booher, who worked as Noda’s teacher last year, said she selected Noda to participate because she was one of the strongest writers in the class. Students were allowed to choose their own Tennessee hero.

Noda chose Parton.

“I like singing,” she said by way of explanation.

When asked what else she liked about Parton, Noda offered a simpler assessment.

“She’s cool and pretty,” she said.

Parton, born in 1946, received 11 Grammy Awards, including one Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to music. She garnered significant state and national attention after family announced her death in August.

Hargett eulogized the songwriter on Facebook the day of her death.

“Dolly never forgot her Tennessee roots, and throughout her life, she gave back generously to the people and communities she loved. Her contributions to our state, her music, and her service to others will continue to have an impact for generations to come,” he wrote.

On Friday, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s office announced plans to rename Nashville International Airport in her honor.

Maryville City Schools staff said that a representative of Hargett’s office contacted the school following Parton’s death, asking to use Noda’s essay on the office’s Facebook page or website as part of a tribute.

Hargett’s office had not responded by press time to an Aug. 31 request for confirmation on whether the essay had been published or when the office planned to use it.

Noda said she was “excited” to learn her essay had attracted the office’s attention. Reading is her favorite subject, and her essay praised Parton for creating the Imagination Library so children could receive free books and learn to read.

Booher’s class, meanwhile, is spending the week learning about Parton.