More to the Story with Staley: Chattanooga 300

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Back to school time! The first day of a new year at Chattanooga Prep.

At 7:45 a.m., everybody is gathering in the school gymnasium.

One thing stands out, above all else. This is one happy bunch. Excited about what’s to come in just a matter of minutes.

“Not only were our students happy, but our teachers were happy as well,” said Chattanooga Prep Principal Diamond Kelley. “As well as the parents. It’s an amazing day!”

“Our kids love being here,” said Dean Joe Banks. “And we get to see these kids as they go through life. And a lot of times, these kids don’t go home after school. They hang around here. That’s a good thing.”

In what’s become an annual affair for the school, the entire student body, some 500 young men, walks out of the gym and heads across the block to their first class of the day, amongst a sea of clapping, cheering and supporting parents, teachers and community members of at least 300.

That’s why the school calls it the Chattanooga 300.

“Our goal every year is to make the boys aware that our entire community has bought into their success. We want the boys to know they have many people behind them,” Principal Kelley said.

On this day, there are easily 300 people cheering on the young men. So, it’s mission accomplished for 15 minutes of time that Diamond Kelley says the students say they will never forget.

“I have my 11th graders say they still remember the walk back in their 6th grade year,” Principal Kelly added. “They still talk about it. For them, it’s that cool.”

Dean of Students Joe Banks says having some 300 people cheering the young men on is great. But he says in the future, he’s sure that number will grow even bigger.