Thirty students complete required work at new Hamilton County High School
By Beverly Carroll
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Chattanooga Times Free Press
The Tuesday night ceremony was in many ways a typical high school graduation: caps and gowns, speeches and proud parents snapping photos. But for the 30 graduates walking across the tiny stage at Bayside Baptist Church to the sound of friends and family cheering, it was a second or even third chance to earn a high school diploma.
'This is to all the people who didn’t think we would amount to anything,' said Ash-Lee Henderson, a member of the first graduating class of Hamilton County’s first adult high school. 'And to the staff dedicated to saving young people who had given up on getting an education in a regular setting, we promise to continue making you proud.'
Schools Superintendent Jesse Register told graduates he was proud of them and the program, which opened this August in the former Harrison Bay Vocational School. Named Hamilton County High School, the program is serving 157 students from ages 17 to 20 who left regular high schools.
'By earning a real diploma, you are keeping your options open,' said Dr. Register, who spoke despite a sore throat that made his voice hoarse.
About 200 friends, family and school officials packed a small auditorium in the Highway 58-area church to watch the brief but traditional ceremony. The family of William Jackson, who led the Pledge of Allegiance, crowded around the stage to capture the moment on cameras and video.
Hamilton County High School student representative William Jackson, left, is congratulated by principal Bill Warren during the school’s first graduation ceremony Tuesday night at Bayside Baptist Church. Thirty students received diplomas from the new program.
'I feel great that he decided to go back and get his diploma,' said Mr. Jackson’s father, Marvin Toney.
Grace Marcelja came from Northport, Fla., to watch her 18-year-old grandson Ryan J. Disney get his diploma.
'(Ryan) probably would not have graduated without this program,' Ms. Marcelja said.
Ryan said he was unhappy in the traditional program at Ooltewah High School.
'I was going to drop out, but then I heard about this program,' he said.
The program almost was axed before it got off the ground this summer when school board members were cutting more than $20 million from this year’s budget request. It was saved because it operates at no additional cost to the budget and brings students back into the system, Dr. Register said.
'It’s probably one of the single most successful programs to get off to such a good start so quickly that I’ve seen,' Dr. Register said. 'Between it and the Middle College and virtual high school, we are going to see our dropout rate go down really fast.'
Principal Bill Warren said there will be another 80 or 90 students graduating in the spring.
Some teachers got tearyeyed while watching the excited students and their families. Bringing out chairs to accommodate the unexpected crowd, horticulture teacher Raleigh Hawkins talked about the strong emotions running through the room.
'You put everything on your kids,' Mr. Hawkins said. 'When they don’t make it and then get a second chance, it seems more meaningful.'