Five student from 17 Hamilton Country high schools recently participated in the Second Annual Hamilton County Student


February 9, 2004
By Charlotte Kimsey - Teen Reporter

Five students from 17 Hamilton County high schools recently participated in the second annual Hamilton County Student Speak Out forum at The Chattanoogan. The Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council organized the event and helped facilitate discussion groups with topics such as dress code, school budget, Carnegie funding, the war in Iraq, school safety, politics and year-round schools. Students participating were selected by principals at the 17 schools.

Many students said the conference was successful.
'(Speak out) gives students the chance to voice their opinions to someone who will listen,’’ said Rebekah Wilson, a junior at Red Bank High School and a facilitator for one of the groups. A.J. Parker, a junior at Sale Creek High School, said he learned a lot. 'Students aren’t as informed as they should be,’’ he said, noting that the conference makes students more aware of what is going on at their schools.

Ashlee Owens, a junior at Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts, lauded the school board for 'taking the initiative to enrich our education.’’ Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jesse Register, who sat in on the forum discussions, said he felt that this year went much better than last year. Korey Kemper, a sophomore at Ooltewah High School, said the event is the ideal occasion for students to say what’s on their minds.

Charlotte Kimsey is a student at Ooltewah High School.