Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy head coach Justin Booker talks about the newly renovated gymnasium that will be home for the Mustang’s.
Mark WiedmerA few years ago, while looking for a new career challenge, veteran Hamilton County school administrator Maryo Beck kept focusing on Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy as his most compelling option.
“I just wanted to tackle something different,” he said Wednesday as he walked across the CGLA campus in Highland Park. “I wanted to have an impact on these girls.”
As 23 banners of appreciation hanging in CGLA’s newly remodeled gym declared a few minutes later, there are a lot of very good people determined to make a positive impact on the lives of the 350 girls attending grades 6-12 at the public charter school on the former Tennessee Temple campus.
Led by the philanthropic spirit of Karen J. Hutton – CEO of the Chattanooga-based Hutton real estate, development and construction company – the Temple High gym went from a neglected, water-damaged mess to a sparkling, state-of-the-art facility that will seat 800 spectators for basketball games, provide coaching offices, an injury/training room, a concession stand, LED lighting and more.
“When we purchased the property, the gym was not in very good condition,” Beck said just prior to the dedication ceremony. “It was always one of the talking points. Now we have a place to work out and play games. This weekend we’re even hosting a regional robotics competition in that building.”