Hamilton County Schools
Developing our diverse graduates to be connected, competitive, and life ready.
Where all children
thrive and experience a future without limits.
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Employees
Opportunity by Design
The mission of HCS is to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and support to THRIVE in life. While we know this mission starts with a primary focus on academics, we also understand from listening to our community that a student must possess qualities beyond academics to excel in the real world. We strive to create graduates who embody our "Portrait of a Graduate" with skills rooted in academics, problem-solving, effective communication, cultural inclusivity, and resiliency.
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🎓✨ Senior Spotlight: Jake Terry ✨🎓![]()
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Throughout his time at Hixson High School, Jake Terry learned how to hold himself accountable, build confidence, and treat others the way he wants to be treated. Even after moving from California at the start of his senior year, he says those experiences helped shape him into a more humble and dependable person.![]()
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This fall, Jake will attend the Citadel in Charleston, where he plans to commission as a military officer before pursuing medical school to become an anesthesiologist. Inspired by a national security conference at the Ronald Reagan Library where he had the chance to meet Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, he says that moment showed him the kind of leader he wanted to be.![]()
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"Being better than the person I was yesterday — that's been a motto for me."![]()
One of the accomplishments he is most proud of is earning a spot in the Citadel's prestigious 1842 Honors Program, a recognition he says reflects years of hard work and planning. Along the way, he credits his friend Carter for making Hixson feel like home from day one, and teachers like Ms. Varnell and Sergeant Burhans for their unwavering belief in him.![]()
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As he prepares for this next chapter, Jake is excited to connect with people who share his values and his passion for service. No matter where life takes him, he hopes to be remembered as someone who made people laugh, lent an ear when it mattered, and always left things better than he found them. ✨
🇺🇸 This Memorial Day, we pay tribute to the fallen service members who gave everything for our country. We honor their dedication, cherish their memory, and reflect on the profound impact of their sacrifice. May we always remember those who served and never returned home. 🕊️
🎓✨ Senior Spotlight: Emily Barajas ✨🎓![]()
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Throughout her time at STEM School, Emily Barajas discovered a passion she never saw coming. The self-described "girly girl" found her happy place in digital fabrication, 3D printing, laser cutting, and carving Harry Potter wands out of a CNC router. "That's my obsession," she says with a laugh.![]()
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But Emily's high school journey has been about more than cool projects. Balancing chronic health challenges alongside a rigorous course load taught her one of her most important lessons: "Don't stress over the little things. You do what you can do, to the best of your abilities and that's all you can do."![]()
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She credits STEM's project-based learning for helping her grow into a stronger collaborator and critical thinker, and teachers like Mr. David and Mr. Graham for always keeping their doors open. As a first-generation future college student, she says her college acceptances "just didn't seem possible" and that pride fuels everything she does.![]()
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From co-founding the school's Science Olympiad chapter to captaining the rock climbing team, Emily has poured herself into every opportunity STEM offered. And her advice to the students coming behind her? "You get out of STEM what you put into it. As long as you put in the work and effort, you'll have the most incredible high school experience."![]()
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One word to describe it all? "Incredible." 🔬✨
🎓✨ Senior Spotlight: Adelyn Youngblood ✨🎓![]()
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Throughout her time at Soddy Daisy High School, Adelyn Youngblood learned how to grow, gain confidence, and become more intentional about her priorities. Looking back on her high school years, she says the experience was “influential,” with both highs and lows helping shape the person she is today.![]()
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This fall, Adelyn will begin an exciting new chapter by serving a church mission before attending Brigham Young University, where she plans to study either linguistics or economics. Inspired by her siblings’ mission experiences and her interest in connecting with people from different backgrounds, she hopes to one day work as an editor or translator. Already studying Spanish and French, she also hopes to learn additional languages in the future.![]()
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One educator who made a lasting impact on Adelyn was her composition teacher, Mr. Crossland. She says he taught lessons that went beyond academics and appreciated that he was “very blunt, which was helpful.”![]()
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A talented writer with a passion for journalism, Adelyn hopes to continue pursuing writing long after graduation. As she looks ahead, she is excited for the opportunity to do her own thing, explore new experiences, and discover what she is capable of accomplishing. When asked what she hopes people remember about her, her answer was simple: she wants to be remembered for being kind.![]()
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No matter where her journey takes her, Adelyn is ready to embrace new opportunities, keep learning, and make a positive impact on those around her. 🌎📚✨
Through a partnership with Wellpoint, East Ridge Middle School now offers students access to a free hygiene and feminine care vending machine designed to support student wellness, dignity, and daily needs. Stocked with essential items such as hygiene products and feminine care supplies, the vending machine helps remove barriers that can impact a student’s confidence, comfort, and ability to focus in the classroom. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to supporting the whole child by ensuring students have easy, discreet access to necessities whenever they need them.![]()
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Photos for this story were generously provided by the East Ridge Middle School Yearbook Team.
🎓✨ Senior Spotlight: Diego Ibach ✨🎓![]()
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Throughout his time at Lookout Valley High School, Diego Ibach says he has grown into a more mature and responsible person, learning the value of hard work both in and out of the classroom. Looking back on his high school years, he describes the experience as “eventful” and says one of his proudest accomplishments was improving in his core classes and achieving more academically than he expected.![]()
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This fall, Diego plans to attend Chattanooga State Community College and pursue a career in HVAC. He was drawn to the field after learning there is a growing need for skilled workers and seeing the opportunities it can provide. Alongside his studies, Diego has already gained valuable work experience through his job at Kubota, where he cleans and moves equipment and has learned to step outside his comfort zone. ![]()
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A dedicated football and baseball player, Diego says the friendships he has built throughout high school are among the things he values most and hopes to carry with him into the future. He credits his dad as his biggest source of motivation, encouraging him to work hard and always do his best.![]()
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As he prepares for graduation, Diego is excited for the opportunities ahead while also recognizing the challenges that come with adulthood. His advice to younger students is simple: “Get involved in as many things as possible and cherish every moment because it flies by really fast.” No matter where life takes him, Diego hopes to be remembered as a good person who made a positive impact on those around him. 💙🎓✨
