Tharptown's school ready for business
By Staff
Melissa Cason, Franklin County Times
THARPTOWN – After two years of planning and building, the students, parents and faculty at Tharptown High School are settling into their new building.
Tharptown Principal Darrit Riddle said that the students were in amazement of their new building during registration last week.
"We are excited to be in the new building, and we are just loving it," Riddle said.
The school held an open house last night for students and parents to tour the new building and the new gym. The new school building holds classrooms for grades seven through 11, and grade 12 will be added next fall.
"I didn't think I'd see this in my lifetime, but I am so glad that I did," Vicky Farris said tearfully while touring the building.
While the building is top of the line, the students see the building as more than brick and cement. Instead, they see a place where they will finish school, with the same students they started kindergarten with at the beginning of their academic lives.
Seventh grade student Abby Allen said that having the new school means that she can stay with her friends.
"After the ninth grade, the students divide into different schools, but now we can stay together," Allen said.
Her classmate Lauren Wilkinson had the same feelings about the school. Wilkerson also said that she was excited about the new building, and that it is very appreciated.
And, of course, the teachers are excited about the new facility, which includes a science lab.
"We haven't worked all the bugs out of the system, but once we do, it'll be smooth sailing [in this new building]," Riddle said.
In addition to the new classroom building and gym, Tharptown High School has new athletic fields, and this year, the school will be able to play home games.
"Last year, we played all away games, and practiced in a neighbor's yard," Riddle said. "But, now we have a new stadium, and we'll take all the support we can get."
The projects at Tharptown were a part of a multi-million dollar building project for the entire school system, which is now complete.
