Terri Renée Tilghman-Douglas, known by most classmates as T.R., is a 1995 graduate of Todd County Central High School.
Tilghman-Douglas values most from her time at the school the bond made with her fellow classmates and says the Class of ’95 was the first class to go through Todd County Middle all the way to their senior year together. She adds they were all “the new kid” at the same time.
She says the memory of her senior year sticks out to her for so many reasons. Her class experienced a lot together that year — her senior year was also the year she decided to focus on growing in areas other than honors and AP classes. Tilghman-Douglas began taking Ag and art classes as well as joining FFA and says she feels she learned more in those classes about what she would face after graduation more than she ever did with AP. She notes she will always treasure the memory of her experiences in Todd Central’s agriculture program, and adds she also has fond memories of the Dance Team with Dina Harper during her junior and senior years of high school.
Tilghman-Douglas advises current students at TCCHS to find their place and their passion. Even if the honors program has been their path in the past, they can always change and go in a different direction, and says to make the most of everything, enjoy time with friends and cherish their time in school. She adds going away after school is for some people, but it’s also okay if they find their place in Todd County. Students should bloom where they are planted, wherever that may be — they can make a name for themselves right here in Todd County.
To current educators, Tilghman-Douglas says to help students find their place and help water whatever seed might be planted in them. She adds not everyone is cut out for college, and to help them realize that’s okay — it takes all kinds to make this crazy world work.
After graduating, Tilghman-Douglas attended Hopkinsville Community College for two years before making a 25-year career in Guthrie Food Giant’s management until 2019. She says she truly believes it was in her cards to stay in the city she grew up in and provide a service to the community. After her time at Food Giant, Tilghman-Douglas served two terms on Guthrie City Council and currently serves on the Indiana/Kentucky/Tennessee Board of Trustees for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. She is also on the Community Engagement Committee, Activist Team and is an ambassador for the society.
Tilghman-Douglas lives in Guthrie with her spouse of 24 years, Allen, and four four-legged babies: Gizzie Mae, Faith, Runt, and Binxy.
Spotlights on Todd Central alumni are part of a partnership between WEKT and the TCCHS Alumni Foundation, Inc. To be featured, please visit the Alumni Foundation’s website to fill out the application.
