Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy will host the 9th Annual Odyssey Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, March 14, at the Chattanooga Convention Center. The event is CGLA’s signature fundraiser, and First Tennessee Bank and Hutton are this year’s presenting sponsors.
The program is slated to begin at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $65 per person and on sale now.
This year, the keynote address will be delivered by David Shapiro, the CEO of MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership. MENTOR leads, supports and champions the quality of mentoring relationships for more than 5,000 mentoring affiliates throughout the United States.
Odyssey is also a celebration of student achievement and community involvement. “With more than 800 guests attending, Odyssey is a perfect time to congratulate and recognize young women who are exhibiting the attributes associated with academic and personal success, and honor community members who have helped move CGLA forward” said Dr. Elaine Swafford, CGLA’s executive director. “Our Rising Star and Shining Star awards spotlight students who are conscientious and excel academically, and our Founders Awards honor community members who have made a significant impact on the lives of our students.”
This year’s Founders Award recipients include First Tennessee Bank, the Hazel Montague Hutcheson Foundation, and Mr. Grant Law.
Event chairs for Odyssey 2018 are Julie and Mike Berry. According to CGLA’s Development Coordinator, Catherine Clifford, the Berry’s history with CGLA and support of the school made them a great fit for event chairs. “Julie and Mike Berry are advocates for CGLA and they truly believe in the work that the faculty and staff are doing.”
Mr. and Mrs. Berry are Chattanooga natives who believe that along with education, hope has the power to transform lives. “CGLA offers one key ingredient to our community, families, and to an outstanding group of girls… hope!” said Mr. Berry. “Have you ever thought where any of us might be without hope? Think about that and let it settle in. Think about where these girls might be without hope.”
For anyone who is interested in CGLA, but not sure where to start Odyssey is an easy way to get involved. “This is a tangible way to be involved in the important and generous work of CGLA,” Mr.
Berry stated.” Be inspired and get involved… or get involved and be inspired.”
Money raised from Odyssey supports the school’s daily operation, which includes funding CGLA’s STEAM centered academic program. STEAM is an approach that invites students to explore the connections between science, technology, engineering, the arts and math. The STEAM process guides students through inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking.
First Tennessee Bank and Hutton are the presenting sponsors of the 9th Annual Odyssey Awards Luncheon. Other major sponsors include Deborah Everhart; Roof Curb Systems in Trenton; Nina
and Pat Brock; Mustang Leadership Partners; Kristin and Gordon Davenport; Jo Ann Yates; Kelly and Ted Alling; Berry Construction Company; Tennessee American Water; the Law Office of Thomas Bible, Jr.; Unum; EPB; Pinnacle Financial Partners; Meredith Perry, and Brewer Media.
For more information about Odyssey and CGLA, please contact Micah Reed at 468-4105 or
micahreed@cglaonline.com or visit cglaonline.com