Etowah Zone Celebrates 5 Years of Operation Graduation

The Etowah Innovation Zone for the past five years has participated in a zone-wide initiative known as Operation Graduation, a collaborative effort brings together Etowah High School and its feeder elementary and middle schools in the mission to graduate every student.

Etowah Principal Keith Ball speakers to all fifth-graders and eighth-graders in the Zone during special assemblies at the schools about the importance of graduation.

Principal Ball said the initiative focuses on making students feel like they’re part of the Etowah family and includes inviting them to attend an Etowah HS varsity basketball game at no charge.

All students also receive Etowah‘s “grad rag” towels, and select students receive Very Important Graduate honor stoles. Those students are chosen for outstanding grades, a positive attitude and an exceptional work ethic.

“It is a uniquely awesome experience to see future Eagles alongside our current students cheering on our team,” Ball said.

Photo 1: Etowah High School Principal Keith Ball introduces Annabelle Williamson as a Boston Elementary School Very Important Graduate to the crowd at the school’s assembly.

Photo 2: Ball and ambassadors visit with Bascomb Elementary School students Riley Zacherl, Emily Collins, Libby Reach, Ella Daugherty and Bianca Santiago.

Photo 3: Ball and ambassadors and Boston Elementary School Principal Joey Moss, right, congratulate Boston’s Very Important Graduates -- Emerson Clack, Manuel Abreu, Kyli Daniels, and Annabelle Williamson -- who were selected for their outstanding grades, a positive attitude, and an exceptional work ethic.

Photo 4: Showing off their grad rags in a photo with the Etowah Eagle are E.T. Booth Middle School eighth-graders, from left to right, Lance Crawford, Tristan Shirley, Taylor Grantham, Logan Drake, McKenzie Reid, Molly Foster, Jacqueline Castro, Lindsey Phillips, Ethan Henderson, Bryan Rodriguez, Chris VanSickle and Angel Jaimes.