Origin of Champion

Have you ever wondered how, when and why our beloved Yearbook, The Champion was named?

When the third edition of Central’s annual was published in 1914, the cover was embossed with “The Champion 1914”.  Previously, neither the first 1911 edition  “Sleepless Eye”, nor the second in 1913 “The Central” carried any hint of what would follow.  The Forward on page five of 1914 edition states,

“The Champion” was chosen as the name of our annual because of a few very distinct characteristics of the word. In Ancient times the Champion went forth from his castle to fight for the right and to represent those principles to which he had pledged his allegiance. So shall this annual strive to represent the best there is in this school. We have activities in our school that should be represented to the world.  Go forth, O Champion! And may you help win greater laurels for our school.  –The Annual Board”

Almost 100 years later, it’s still our much loved Champion!

Official Notification of Approval for Central Historical Marker

Tennessee Historical Marker for Chattanooga Central High School on Dodds Avenue

On February 17, 2012, the Tennessee Historical Commission, unanimously approved our application to erect a State of Tennessee Historical Marker at 500 Dodds Avenue recognizing the historical significance of Chattanooga Central High School.

Coordination for a public ceremony in July, 2012 to dedicate this memorial to our beloved school is underway.

As previously reported, the Monuments and Markers Committee of the Tennessee Historical Commission recommended minor changes to the text we submitted with the application.  Those changes were approved by the Commissioners.

Thanks to the alumni who prepared and submitted the application, coordinated with the City of Chattanooga for permits to erect the marker, and donated the funds to pay for its production and installation.

Homecoming Queens

The Central Digests of October 1, 8, and 15, 1949 detailed the selection process of the first homecoming queen to be crowned at halftime of the Central-Rossville game at Chamberlain Field on October 22, 1949.  The Senior English classes nominated 8 contestants, then the student body selected 5 finalists, with the person getting the most votes crowned by the Alumni President (at that time Jerry Perry).  Subsequent queens would be crowned by the previous year’s queen.  Betty Bridges, Betty Drinnon, and Diane Haynes were eliminated by the student vote, leaving the top 5 – Evalynne Anderson, Hulene Huff, Geraldine Maxey, Shirley Sewell, Jeanne Watson – to appear on the field for the presentation, which was won by Shirley Sewell.

• 1949:  Shirley Sewell
• 1950:  Peggy Kistler
• 1951:  Pat Williams
• 1952:  Dot Wood
• 1953:  Joy Schroeder
• 1954:  Norma Jean Coulter
• 1955:  Patty Rector
• 1956:  Mary Ruth Neyman
• 1957:  Linda Scruggs
• 1958:  Ann Travis
• 1959:  Carolyn Hale
• 1960:  Donna Reed
• 1961:  Jill Keef
• 1962:  Judy Jackson
• 1963:  Pam Piercy
• 1964:  Janie Young
• 1965:  Cheryl White
• 1966:  Teri Tinker
• 1967:  Martha Hollis
• 1968:  Ginger Nye

Note:  Research by Charlie Sedman

Central is the Recipient of the 22nd National Bellamy Award

Please click on the link to read about this high honor:

Bellamy Edition of the Central Digest