Honor Roll Celebration Uplifts Students
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Orchard Knob Middle School honored academic excellence with a special celebration recognizing 90 students who earned a spot on the honor roll, bringing families, educators, and community partners together for a moment centered on encouragement and pride.
Hamilton County Schools leaders highlighted the role community partnerships play in student success, pointing to long-standing support from Silverdale Baptist Church.
Caitlyne Steward, HCS Director of Community Impact, said Silverdale has shown a continued commitment to students beyond the classroom. “When I think about Silverdale Baptist, I think of a partner who’s willing to stay in the gap,” Steward said, noting the church’s years of volunteer work supporting academic excellence and initiatives like the school’s community garden.
The celebration was designed to make students feel seen while also giving families the chance to be part of their children’s accomplishments.
Tonya Turman, Community School Coordinator said, “It makes them feel special, special time for them to celebrate their achievements and the fact that their parents are able to attend and participate.” “It’s just really great.”
School leaders emphasized how meaningful recognition can be for students who may not always hear positive messages about their potential. Orchard Knob Principal Dr. Aleisha McCallie said too often students’ efforts are overlooked. “They’re often told their efforts go unnoticed, that they can’t achieve,” she said. “But they are achieving and excelling, and everything that they do deserves to be celebrated because they’re worthy of celebration.”
Hamilton County School Board District 4 Representative Jackie Thomas echoed that message, saying recognition builds confidence not just for students, but for entire school communities. “Everyone wants to be celebrated,” Thomas said. “Recognizing kids for the great work they’re doing says a lot about the school, the teachers, the parents, about everyone. It gives them that confidence to keep going no matter what’s happening in their lives.”
Administrators say the school’s focus is rooted in high expectations and consistent encouragement. “We love on them,” Orchard Knob Assistant Principal Dr. Genise Evans-Fletcher said. “We tell them what they can do, because so many times they’re told what they can’t. We make sure they know where the bar is set, and we expect them to exceed it.”
The event also included an honor roll luncheon, giving students time to celebrate together. One Orchard Knob student, Harmoty Sutton, said family motivation played a big role in her academic success. “Wanting to help my family out and grow up to pay for all their stuff when they get old,” she said.
Another student, Andre Hayes, said the recognition made months of hard work feel worthwhile. “It’s really amazing because I’ve been working all semester to get up to this,” Hayes said.
When asked about his future goals, he shared big aspirations beyond the classroom. “I want to get to college somewhere around the coast, like Harvard, because I want to be a marine biologist when I get older.”
School leaders say moments like these are about more than grades. They are about showing students they are capable, supported, and worthy of celebration.
