Submitted / CCHS Homecoming Committee
Cumberland County High School announced Mrs. Janet Calahan Graham as the 2024 CCHS Hall of Fame Inductee. Mrs. Graham was selected from nominations submitted to the Hall of Fame Committee based on three indicators: community contributions, CCHS contributions, and JET PRIDE. For community contributions, the committee looked for the nominee to have valued impact on the community (global, national, state, and/or local in such a way as to enhance the opportunity and growth of its people, resources, and overall well-being. For CCHS Contributions, the nominee would have demonstrated throughout their lives a desire to improve not only themselves, but the lives and environment of those around them. For JET PRIDE, the Hall of Fame Committee stated that this means having (a) CLASS (humility, humbleness, empathy, and self-control), (b) CHARACTER (Doing what is right, even when no one is watching.), and (c) EXCELLENCE in EVERYTHING (desire and ability to persevere, overcome, and succeed with class and character). These characteristics were the key measures necessary to become a member of the CCHS HALL OF FAME.
The CCHS Hall of Fame Committee received numerous nominations for the 2024 Hall of Fame recipient this year, but ultimately chose Mrs. Janet Graham based on the following nomination submitted in her honor:
Mrs. Janet Calahan-Graham has had a huge impact on our community. She has had a commitment for the opportunity and growth for the children and citizens of Cumberland County. She was an active member of the local Economic Development Committee contributing ideas and strategies to attract and support the industry and workforce in Cumberland County. She both organized and taught the Read to Be Ready curriculum for parents of preschool aged children to teach strategies parents may incorporate at home to ensure reading readiness for school. She was an active participant in the Cumberland County Drug Coalition to reduce substance abuse by awareness and prevention in the community. Mrs. Graham participated with the Kids on the Rise initiative where the focus is on supporting students who are in need of additional, positive adult interactions. She is an active member of the Homestead Baptist Church where she works diligently to provide meals on wheels to seniors in need and those convalescing, serves on the Building and Grounds Committee, and shares her musical talent by playing the organ to accompany the congregational singing. Though she is retired from Cumberland County Schools, she continues to provide opportunities for the students by working as the Regional Advanced Placement Liaison for the state of Tennessee through the Niswonger Foundation. The service she provides allows high school students across the state to access Advanced Placement classes at no additional cost to them.
Mrs. Graham’s professional record reflects her commitment to the children of Cumberland County. Over a span of 46 years, she worked tirelessly as a teacher, a principal, a State of Tennessee Department of Education consultant, a supervisor, and the Director of Schools of Cumberland County. ln each of these assignments, Mrs. Graham served with a commitment to excellence, an outstanding record of consistent, fair treatment of students and staff, and a strong compassion for underprivileged students and those falling on hard times. Serving as the Cumberland County High School Principal from 2006 to 2014, Mrs. Graham worked to navigate the split of our high school students from one high school into two high schools. As the principal of the existing school, Mrs. Graham worked tirelessly to ensure CCHS had the most effective teachers, successful coaches, passionate extracurricular leaders and sponsors, and a clean, attractive campus. This combination contributed to a positive high school experience for her students and boosted a sense of pride in the community for the high school that served and continues to serve students well. Examples of these efforts include organizing the efforts to restore the original Jet “Miss Nettie” to its original glory and working with Dave Kirk Automotive to launch the attendance initiative whereby students with exemplary attendance receive cash and other prizes including a car for the final winner.