Just in time for the start of the new school year, Booker T. Washington High School was selected as the Hank Aaron All-Star School by the Atlanta Braves Foundation and received several much-needed upgrades to its baseball and softball facilities.
“We’re proud to have Hands on Atlanta here, Home Depot and the Atlanta Braves,” Booker T. Washington Principal William Wade said. “We started this walk last year, and we’re excited to be named the Hank Aaron All-Star School supported by the Atlanta Braves.”
Volunteers from the Atlanta Braves, Home Depot and Hands of Atlanta came together as partners to assist Booker T. Washington High School with several beautification projects on campus. They applied new dirt onto the baseball and softball infields, planted new flowers in the garden beds behind the school, assembled new benches, painted murals and more during this day of service.
The upgrades to the school’s facilities not only made the campus look better, but it will also have a direct impact on the students that use them.
“In the past, our facilities were not up to par. Players were getting injured on the field,” Booker T. Washington head baseball coach Cheron Thompson said. “My first initiative as the head coach was to make sure the facilities were safe and effective for our players.”
Through the partnership with the Braves and Hands on Atlanta, Booker T. Washington was able to begin the process of making an outdoor space that is safer and that students can take pride in.
“I think the students, once they come back, will see the beautification of the campus and take a little more pride in their school and the campus when they’re here,” Booker T. Washington athletic director Derrick Avery said.
Samantha Whitfield, class of 1991, was one of the many volunteers who came to serve the school. As an alumnae of Booker T. Washington, she was proud to see the commitment from partners to support the school and the community.
“It feels awesome to see the support. It’s nice to see all the help, all the effort,” Whitfield said. “It’s a reminder that there’s a lot of love in Atlanta and a lot of love for our school.”
The beautification project and restoration of the athletic facilities was just the beginning of the school’s partnership with the Braves. Principal Wade said the partnership will be laced with incentives for the teachers, professional development opportunities, field trips and more.
“As we move forward, we’re excited to continue building upon this partnership and creating even more opportunities for our students,” Wade said. “This support has been instrumental in shaping the future leaders of our community and we are forever grateful for your generosity and your commitment to the youth of Atlanta, especially the youth of Booker T. Washington High School.”
