Hamilton Heights High Schools’ Open House and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Thursday celebrated the completion of a project that transformed 30,000 square feet of space in the business, agricultural, engineering, band and choir areas into 21st century learning environments.
Surrounded by school administration, faculty, students and project advisors, Hamilton Heights Senior, Rachel Poisson and Gwen Hunter, Hamilton Heights School Board president, snipped the ribbon to a round of applause.
Students then guided guests through the newly renovated spaces sharing and demonstrating the many amenities and technological additions featured in each area. A highlight was the electronic ticket taker board outside business area that runs the stock exchange as well as announcements and other relevant school data throughout the day.
Attendees also included Hamilton Heights faculty, staff and students, Dr. Derek Arrowood, Peggy Jackson, Project Vision Director, Kristin McCarty, Business Manager, Jarrod Mason, High School Principal, Whitney Gray, High School Assistant Principal, Craig Waltz, Band Director, Kim Kaiser, Business, Eric Fisher, Pre-Engineering/Industrial Tech, Derrick Dean, Technology/Pre-Engineering/Industrial Tech; Gwen Hunter, Doug Ozolins, Maggie Griswald Reuter, Arnett Cooper and Dr. Kevin Cavanaugh, Hamilton Heights School Board; Mark Heirbrandt, Hamilton County Commissioner; Catherine Heller, Executive Director and Liz Nelson, Board Member Northern Hamilton Chamber; Stuart Godfrey, Erin Jennings and Rachel Settle from krM; Paul Browning, Skip Watkins and Craig Dunking from WR Dunkin; Consultant Steve Haley; Janis Bailey, Ivy Tech and Jim Wolf from Chrysler, among others.
“We are pleased to showcase the result of fiscal responsibility and a collective effort,” said Jarrod Mason, Hamilton Heights High School Principal and the event’s Master of Ceremonies, noting the time and attention to detail given by all those involved in this component of the Corporation’s Project Vision from beginning to end. “Transforming the traditional classroom space into collaborative work spaces create optimal educational environments and will enhance individual learning opportunities for our students well into the future.”
Derrick Dean, Technology/Pre-Engineering Dept. Head, said it was great to see all the support from the community who took this opportunity to check out the latest renovations. “These improvements will move us into the more current world to better help prepare our students for their futures,” Dean noted.
Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt, who just returned from a trip to Washington, D.C., said he stopped by the open house because he was excited to see the updates. Heirbrandt wanted to show his support sharing that he is a big advocate of education and wants to do all he can for students in his district.”