I Am Hamilton Aliza Smith Jordyn Griffith

Today, the “I am Hamilton” video feature spotlights Aliza Smith, a junior; and Jordyn Griffith, a senior at East Hamilton Middle/High. The two represented Tennessee as the only two students in the state to attend the Inclusive Youth Leadership Summit in Chicago in September.

“I am Hamilton” spotlights the contributions of alumni, teachers, parents, students, support workers, and community members in providing opportunities for children in the classrooms of Hamilton County Schools. Better opportunities for children today mean a brighter future filled with possibilities for our graduates, their families, and the community.

Aliza Smith is a Special Olympian who has participated in every sport offered at least once. Smith was a founding member and a leader in the Unified Champion School program at East Hamilton.

“Our school is a Unified Champion school, and Aliza and I are the co-presidents,” said Jordyn Griffith. “We both compete in every event possible, and we do it together.”

Jordyn Griffith is high achieving student involved in multiple school-related activities. Griffith is a Unified partner with the East Hamilton Special Olympians and has gone to almost every event in which East Hamilton students participate. She was a founding member and leader of the Unified Champion School program at the school.

“In third grade one of my best friends had Down syndrome, and she was just so inspiring and so much fun to be around, and she never let anything bother her,” added Griffith. “That sparked my interest in Special Olympics, so in college I hope to join a Special Olympics program and continue what we have started here at East Hamilton.”

While in Chicago, Jordyn and Aliza developed a project to exemplify and support a Unified Generation. The girls were awarded $500 to help them start a 5K walk to encourage long-lasting, meaningful, and productive relationships with those who have disabilities. The work of Aliza Smith and Jordan Griffith during the week in Chicago is inspiring others to continue to make way for a unified generation where respect and equality for individuals with disabilities are understood.

To nominate someone for “I Am Hamilton,” send an email to [email protected] with the name of the person you would like to nominate, the school the individual is connected to in Hamilton County Schools, the person’s title, and what makes the individual a valued contributor to Hamilton County Schools. You can nominate a graduate, teacher, parent, student, support worker, community member, or anyone playing a role in a school in the district. Also, include your name, school or location, and title.

Photo: Tim Goode, a teacher at East Hamilton Middle/High, presents an I Am Hamilton shirt to Jordyn Griffith and Aliza Smith

Video Links to “I am Hamilton”

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE_XUdYng-E

Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/a/hcde.org/file/d/17jYNfzefJ3kMnGAyaNk2xuKhejJ-mVL1/view?usp=sharing

The I Am Hamilton series won a 2019 NSPRA Golden Achievement Award for school district communications from the National School Public Relations Association.