Barely a year after its inception, the Ooltewah High School Alumni Association already has big fundraising plans to benefit both academically and vocationally minded high school students.
The group is trying to raise money to purchase a football team field house for OHS in order to free up 10,000 square feet that could then be used for welding and STEM classes currently not offered.
“We want to help bring vocational classes back to the high school to give kids another path besides college,” said alumni association president Buckey McCulley.
A part of OHS’ first graduating class in 1976, McCulley said he feels strongly that these additional classes have the potential to encourage students not planning on attending college to continue on to trade schools rather than ending their education after high school.
McCulley and the rest of the association say helping to provide students with bigger career opportunities after high school would help the overall community.
The alumni association recently found an 8,000-square-foot building that would fit the needs for the football team field house, he said. Originally selling for $94,000, this building is being sold for $49,000 and requires a $9,500 deposit, added McCulley.
As of press time, the association had $2,000 toward the deposit, leaving $7,500 to be raised as soon as possible. If purchased, McCulley said the building could be up and in use fairly quickly.
“I would say it would take between a year and two years to get the building set up,” he said.
With a possible building in mind, the alumni are now calling on the community to help them raise the money to provide the high school with the new football team field house and open up space for the new vocational classes. The association is unsure whether the high school already has teachers for these classes, or if additional teacher hiring specifically for these classes would be needed, McCulley noted.
To learn more or donate, visit the fundraising page at gofundme.com/24kxv93k, or email the Ooltewah Alumni Association at ooltewahhighalumniassociation@gmail.com.