12 students set high standards
On April 19, I was privileged to be part of a committee that interviewed 12 exceptional seniors from Hamilton County public high schools. The occasion represented the final step for this talented group who, weeks earlier, had begun a competitive process for scholarships administered by the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga.
They represented Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences, Tyner Academy, Soddy-Daisy High School, Lookout Valley High School and Girls Leadership Academy.
Academically, each ranked at or near the top of his or her class. Several had perfect 4.0 averages throughout their high school careers. They took honors and advanced-placement courses, when these were available. Several took dual-enrollment courses, in which they earned both high school and collegiate academic credit.
Some of the students had overcome personal hardships: death or disability of family members, fractured families, personal health issues and poverty. Most of the students had year-round jobs, working up to 20 hours weekly. Their jobs included wait staff, restaurant hostess and team trainer, sales clerk and music instructor. One worked to pay for transportation to a magnet school that would provide a more demanding academic challenge. She paid to take additional ACT tests so that she could improve her scores.
Each student had devoted hours each week to extracur-
ricular activities. Competitive cheerleading, gymnastics, marching and symphonic band, student government — both as class presidents and student-body presidents, yearbook and local and county advisory councils. One student who had lost a close family member founded a grief-support group at her school.
Several students had worked as interns in local businesses during summer and holiday time. Two law firms offered in-depth experiences to their interns.
Somehow, each found time for sustained work in community service. One served as a mentor for juvenile first offenders and on the mayor’s youth council. Another volunteered at the Chattanooga Community Kitchen, another at the Chattanooga Area Food Bank. One served as a volunteer camp counselor. Several volunteered at local hospitals.
Each transcended the role of student to become a citizen of a larger community.
How did they do it? Each student was a master of time management. Each had a plan for the week. If they worked a second shift in a restaurant, they knew that study had to be completed either before work or before bedtime, even if that meant working on school assignments until 2 a.m.
The 12 have varied career goals: neurologist, traditional nursing and nurse practitioner, attorney, neonatologist and teacher.
They will begin the next chapter of their educational journeys at Middle Tennessee State University, Sewanee, Berry College, UT-Knoxville, Emory, Fisk and Carson-Newman.
The students offered varied praise for their schools. Small classes were crucial, providing the opportunity for discussion. A rigorous senior English class at Tyner Academy introduced students to the expectations of college-level work. Students learned how to take notes, read a text deeply and write analytical essays. A forum at CSAS provided opportunities for debate and discussion of contemporary issues not covered in required classes. Each student identified one or several teachers who had inspired them to set high, personal standards for their academic work.
College counseling was crucial for each student. This might come from a teacher of an advanced course, a director of an extracurricular activity or from a full-time counselor.
Each cited a parent, sibling, grandparent or guardian who set an example and encouraged them to push for excellence. Each cited a family member as a personal hero.
Public schools are inadequately funded. Teachers are underpaid. Some schools have decrepit facilities, outdated computers and barebones libraries. Advanced-placement courses are not uniformly available. Glitches interfere with mandated testing. Political controversies swirl around school funding. Despite these limitations, teachers, support staff and students collaborate on a shared educational mission.
Twelve seniors from county schools set a standard this year toward which every student should have the opportunity to aspire.