Despite 40 years passing since their graduation, the Tyner High School Class of 1979 has Tyner Academy close to their hearts. The alumni recently raised $2,000 to donate to the school at a class reunion event. The group all pitched in and raised the money on a single Saturday night.
Adam Noll, class reunion leader and class historian, spearheaded the fundraising effort at the annual class reunion on April 27, 2019. While the group initially set a goal to raise $500, they quickly surpassed the goal as each person came prepared to give back to Tyner. One alumnus, Brent Morgan, wrote a check for the entire goal amount, and the rest collectively donated almost $1,400 the night of the reunion. Noll decided to make the donation an even $2,000 and donated the remainder.
“I would like to use the funds for student incentives for this upcoming year,” said Gerald Harris, principal at Tyner Academy. “These funds will go a long way in providing awards for students who are doing positive things at Tyner.”
Noll, who previously taught for the Chattanooga City School system, recognized the funding issues that many schools have to support students. His understanding of school funding sparked the idea for him to organize the fundraiser. “My effort to raise money for Tyner Academy was so that we could give back to our beloved alma mater,” said Noll. “The fact that we quadrupled our goal is a clear indication of what Tyner still means to us, 40 years later.”
Noll hopes this donation will spark each subsequent graduating class to adopt a “pay it forward” mindset and continue giving back to the school. “It is always good to know that our former students are willing to give back to the school,” added Harris.
Photo: (Left to Right) Rachel Cherry, teacher; Angela Williams, teacher; Adam Noll, Tyner High Class of ’79; Gerald Harris, principal; and Cathy Butler, teacher