A five-year mission saw light at the end of the tunnel Thursday morning in Hopkinsville, as school officials finally cut the ribbon on Christian County High School — two weeks ahead of opening day.
And the emotion was truly palpable.
For the past three years, or so, the property has been simply that, defined mostly by engineering jargon, change orders, active construction, social media warfare and talking points in civic presentations.
But a building doesn’t live until its people are in it, and it is alive now.
The Christian County High School JROTC, the Christian County High School Tigers Band, the Christian County High School staff and administration, and the Christian County High School cheerleaders and ambassadors wrapped around hundreds of visitors in Hopkinsville Rotary Arena — before dispersing for tours of the different academies.
Superintendent Chris Bentzel confirmed while the district continues to actively move toward the Ford Next Generation Learning academy model, the legacies of two previous schools and a Gateway tradition will never wane.
Before he even spoke, Executive Principal Ken Carver received a standing ovation from students and faculty — many of which remain overtly thrilled to get in their classroom and extracurricular spaces, and get to work.
He received another after speaking, this time from everyone — many of which were either former Tigers or Colonels, but never both, until now.
Carver noted his favorite part of the campus, aside from its new facilities, is a large “CCT” logo emblazoned in the building.
Cheryl Carrier, president of Ford NGL, said the freshman academy and three college-and-career academies will offer modern classrooms, laboratories, collaborative spaces and hands-on learning environments.
But nothing, she said, that beats personal connection — which this should provide.
Kristi Russell, executive director of Kentucky School Facilities Construction Commission, visited on Governor Andy Beshear’s behalf — and noted a pair of Kentucky General Assembly budget awards, totaling $17 million, only helped further a project well on its way.
Amani Jones, a junior CCHS cheerleader, said she is looking forward to her biomedical pathway, where she will continue to explore health and communications classes.
She knows some might not agree with her, but she believes a new school will bring “great things.”
Finer touches, as well as some campus installments, still remain on the schedule. However, school begins Wednesday, August 19, and after Thursday, many are ready.
Ken Carver’s Speech:
