TNPBA Scholarship Student Seeks to be a 'Change Maker' for Children

Apr 9, 2025

By Katharine Jefcoats

Some students are considered a triple threat in sports, but Madisun Pritchard can be called a triple threat in college where she is working on three majors.

Madisun sporting the Royals uniform

The TNPBA scholarship student graduated from Elizabethton High School and went on to Johnson University in Knoxville. She hit the softball field in both schools, as a pitcher and infielder.

Her dad is Elizabethton police Cpl. Wayne Pritchard and a member of PBA. The scholarships are available to children and stepchildren of PBA members. They are also open to students without a PBA affiliation who are pursuing a degree in the criminal justice field.

Pritchard is one of about two dozen students to be awarded the scholarship in 2024. Her career decisions were heavily influenced by her dad’s profession.

“I am triple majoring in psychology and family studies with a minor in Bible and theology,” she said. “One of the reasons I chose Johnson was for the minor in Bible and theology. Through this degree, I have grown spiritually and personally and will also use lessons through my future vocation.

“As for psychology and family studies, I chose these majors because of conversations between my father and me about calls he has worked in his years of service,” Madisun Pritchard continued. “These calls consisted of children being taken from their homes due to their parents being incarcerated. Hearing these stories makes me want to be a change-maker in these children's lives.”

Her dad’s PBA membership made her scholarship possible. For this, she is grateful.

Madisun Pritchard with her parents, Cpl. Wayne Pritchard and Vanessa

“Law enforcement runs deep in my family,” she said. “From my grandfather to my dad and several other family members. This scholarship not only bears the financial burdens of college, but it also shows the great support PBF has for the families of law enforcement.”

Cpl. Pritchard is a veteran first responder, having served as law enforcement officer and first responder for 25 years. He started out as an EMT-IV Tech with Washington County, Tenn., EMS and Fall Branch Fire Department before moving to the Tennessee Department of Corrections.

He worked for Carter County SO for six years and has been in the Elizabethton Police Department for 10 years.

Following a short stint as an SRO, Cpl. Pritchard said he realized the value of his impact on others.

“I filled in as an SRO at a local elementary school for four months,” he said. “At the end of that four months, a student had a very nice wooden ‘thin blue line’ flag made with my name engraved at the bottom of it. This flag was just a random act of kindness, and it showed me you can make a difference without even knowing it. I display that wooden flag proudly above my desk in my office.”

Madisun sees her father’s career as a blessing.

“Growing up with a parent in law enforcement has been a blessing,” she said. “When I was in the first grade, I remember my dad came in on professional career day and talked to our class about what all his job pertained to.

Madisun Pritchard with her parents as a Cyclone at Elizabethton High School

“Our hometown also rebuilt our jail and when it was completed, my dad took me on a tour through the jail and taught me about different protocols and procedures that take place,” she continued. “One of my favorite memories was being able to watch one of the K-9 dogs train. The one thing I am most thankful for when it comes to my dad being a police officer is the law enforcement family. I know that if I ever needed anything I have people who would be willing to drop everything to help.”

Madisun Pritchard said she developed her own drive to help others from watching her father’s success in law enforcement and growing up in an atmosphere of compassion and empathy.

“After college, I plan on finding a job that pertains to working with children,” she said. “I aspire to work as a child trauma therapist. After lots of prayers, I feel like working with the younger generation is my calling.

“During my time at Johnson, I volunteered at Emerald Youth Foundation, which is an organization that strives to give every child in every neighborhood a fulfilling life whether that is through school or sports. I was able to see God work through young children who come from homelives that are unimaginable.”

Madisun Pritchard plays at the pitcher and shortstop positions with the Johnson Royals

Cpl. Pritchard said he has no doubt his daughter will succeed in achieving her goals and leave an impressive mark on society and its children.

“There is nothing I have not seen her set her mind to and not achieve,” he said. “She has amazed me over the years of her amazing work ethic both academically and athletically. She is currently starting her junior year of college with a triple major along with being a starting pitcher for the university softball team. I see nothing but great success for her as she goes through life.”