By now, you’ve read the stories about the Ooltewah assaults. Some are local, others are national. Some have been fair and factual, others have been downright irresponsible. Certainly, those involved in the Gatlinburg incident, either directly or in a supervisory position made some serious mistakes. The deed itself was bad enough, and the aftermath has been filled with communication delays, misleading information and questionable personnel decisions. Reputations have been ruined, jobs are in jeopardy, and careers are on the line.
The good name of Ooltewah High School has taken a beating. Many stories have been circulated, mostly from anonymous sources, about a school where athletes get special treatment and teachers get little support. I’ve heard many such stories from many different sources. Some are recent incidents, while others are from past years. No doubt, many of the stories are true, and as I’ve written, Ooltewah probably needs a re-start to salvage its reputation.
It’s also important to note that Ooltewah has about 1600 students and about 100 staff members, and the huge majority of them have been doing school the right way. When I asked for them to speak up about their school, the response was overwhelming. They believe their story hasn’t been getting told. I’m happy to share excerpts from their responses with you.
Taylor Stutz, student: “Ooltewah is anything but a nightmare. I for one enjoying going to school there. I love the administration more then anything. I work in the front office and get to see up close and personal what our administration is like outside of the halls making people get to class. They are the funniest, nicest, and caring people I’ve ever met. We have the best administration in Tennessee and I’ll step up to the plate for any adult at that high school.”
Robert Barker, parent: “My daughter graduated from Ooltewah High School in the top ten of the class. She worked hard, and received a four year scholarship to a very well known private university. She played soccer all four years with the school, and was part of the band program all four years as well. She also was one of the first set of students to enter the IB program that Ooltewah has, as only two schools in Hamilton County that have the program. My middle child is a junior, and is also heavily involved with the band program. She has made All-State East every year, and even as a freshman. Look at the victories in our schools, and the great achievements our students and programs have accomplished, and make that the loudest voice in our community. I am still proud to say my children attend Ooltewah High School, and now I am even more aware of the officials we elect to represent our children. I know that this issue has also raised an awareness with parents to ask more questions, and it will heighten awareness on trips. But, I implore you to help not let this incident put a mark on the innocent children and students of the community, the teachers and administration that fight every day for our children, and parents that have given their children the tools to be strong men and women further in life.”
Emily Brown, student: “I am beyond blessed to attend Ooltewah High School. It is a school full of love, equality, and support. I play soccer there, and as an athlete I have never experienced any negativity from teammates/coaches, and have never received special treatment. Regardless of what the negative comments say, Ooltewah is definitely the best. I am forever proud to be an Owl.”
Dale Miller, parent: “I am the father of two children that are seniors this year, they have spent four years at Ooltewah and I believe they have had a great experience at the school.
My son will be a freshman at OHS next year. We are not afraid nor embarrassed to send him there. He will hopefully make the soccer team and have coach Adolph as his high school coach.”
Billy Burnette, parent: “I have two daughters that have graduated from Ooltewah and have two more daughters that are currently juniors. We have had nothing but a great experience there. One of my daughters had an accident and broke her back. The administration did everything possible to accommodate her needs.
I’m the volunteer coordinator for The Forgotten Child Fund. Every year for the past four years we have had students from Ooltewah High School come down to the warehouse and help pack toys for needy children for Christmas. These kids were from the IB program, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the dance team. They were polite, respectful and just a pleasure to be around.
My purpose in writing this is to let everyone know that the good students and faculty in Ooltewah High School far outnumber the bad ones.”
This is what high school sports should be about. Most of the kids at Ooltewah, Bradley, and our other schools are blessed with great parents and coaches who are teaching the right lessons. The Gatlinburg incident exposed some serious problems that have been overlooked for too long. Let’s take this opportunity to encourage and lift up our good role models. Hopefully, their good influence will begin to drown out the negative forces among us.
Thank you!
From, a former Ooltewah parent and resident!
Thank you so much David!! I have two daughters, one that graduated 2 years ago and one that is a current sophomore. Needless to say this has been a topic of conversation at our dinner table more than once! My girls love Ooltewah! There is a lot of good there which has gone unnoticed! My oldest daughter was on the dance team. I will say that when she was a freshman, the upperclassman were role models. They took the younger girls under their wings and guided them in making good choices. They worked hard to exhibit leadership and it showed. We cherish the time spent at Ooltewah. My youngest plays volleyball and softball. There again the upperclassman supported, prayed over and genuinely cared about the younger students. Some of the things that I have read on Facebook infuriate me and usually it was post from people that have never stepped foot in the door! It’s from people that don’t know what’s going on behind the doors! Thanks David for reporting the good at Ooltewah.
We had all three of our kids go through ooltewah and a niece who lived with us and went to ooltewah for her senior year that all adds up to having kids there for 13 years. It was and still is a very good school but like everywhere there are always a few bad apples that have to be thrown out. I hope this will start that process this year for ooltewah but you have to make sure that the rotten apples are address not just once but continually .
Thank you David Carroll, for spotlighting the good in a great institution. My two boys graduated from Ooltewah (both athletes with caring coaches), with GREAT memories. Sure there were hard times, but each came through it a better person. And, Ooltewah will survive this and thrive again. Praying for the young man with the severe injuries, as well as the others who were bullied in any way. Praying especially for those so troubled they felt this was the “fun” and “cool” way to treat another human being. May God help them to see the error of their ways and steer them toward a productive live path.
I am saddened that the young men who did this in any way had the mindset that this would be “cool” or “fun” or whatever was in their minds. I pray they get the help they need. I pray for the young men who were bullied and injured in this event. But thank you David for highlighting the other side, the good side. There were some mistakes made and these definitely need to be dealt with but it should taint an entire school. I am sure there are many caring, helpful, loving individuals at Ooltewah that dedicate their time to making the students contributing individuals in our society. Stay strong Ooltewah, keep praying and turn this into a learning pathway to an even better school.
Thank you David. You always seem to find the good in an awful situation. I appreciate your reporting class!!
I have been involved with some of the coaches from OMS in basketball & track. I have seen no monkey business. Nothing but professionally run events.