“He who looks outside, dreams. He who looks inside,
awakens.”
Carl Jung
By Tommie Saylor
Kennedy High School Principal
This last week we experienced the 12th anniversary of the
tragedy of 9-11. One of the results of this tragedy is that patriotism
seems to be an area of focus. Before that, it was an afterthought.
As a result many are concerned about such things as making
sure every classroom has an American flag, or that every student recites the
Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of the school day (Note: Did you know
that originally the pledge was created as a way for the southern “rebels” to
earn their way back to citizenship following the Civil War?).
These things are fine, but for those of us who have served
our country in the military, they are nothing more than window dressing. Patriotism
is not the occasional “saluting of the flag,” it is how you live your daily
life. It is taking the time to vote, upholding the rights of other Americans
regardless if you agree with them or not, paying taxes and dues and working
hard at your job, making the country stronger.
Patriotism is understanding the importance of self-sacrifice, that
the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one, and it is
living your life “right,” showing others through your example how it is done.
Simply, patriotism is a way of life. It is not an act or
action taken occasionally. It becomes who you are and is expressed through your
every action.
You want to see patriotism and a good old-fashioned
American icon? Go to a Friday night football game.
If you take the time to carefully
observe your surroundings, you will find that the pageantry is amazing. The
playing of the National Anthem while everyone stands facing the flag (players
and cheerleaders from both teams lined up in respectful salute), the coin toss
and shaking of hands, the smell of the freshly cut grass, the nip of winter in
the air and the young couples in the stands holding hands.
You’ll notice the blankets across the laps and hot
chocolate in fans’ hands, the young men on the field learning the meaning of team.
It is the band finally getting to perform after practicing so very hard to put
together a quality show. It is the night lights and the chants of the crowd .
This is America at its finest, and every soldier “holding
the line” dreams of such things. I can remember walking the boarder in
what was West Germany, and dreaming about the day when I would be able to
rejoin “the world” (what we called the U.S.) and do something as simple as
attending a Friday night football game.
If you wish to show your patriotism, attend a football
game, help a fellow American, work hard, pay your taxes, vote, get involved in local/state/federal
politics, and be a good example to others.
OPEN HOUSE: I cannot be prouder of how our first week of
school went. The Open House at Kennedy High School was amazing and it is
all due to hard work and dedication.
Our parents were pleased as we had a good turnout, Board
members and Central Office administrators were pleased, and all were impressed
with the professionalism and commitment. Kudos to all.
DISCIPLINE: Hall Sweeps and ID cards went much better than
expected. I was fully prepared to have 50 kids in ISS first period on Monday,
and we only had seven. I anticipated mass numbers of students “bucking”
the system and refusing to wear their ID cards, yet only a few legitimately
forgot their ID cards and were more than willing to fix the problem.
Simply, once again, it was advance preparation with our
students that resulted in success. The groundwork and efforts paid off. After 20 years in the field of
education, a better first full week of school I cannot recall.
I salute the efforts, dedication and professionalism. I am
honored to have the privilege of serving on the team.
Remember, their future is in our hands. Making Kennedy High
School the school of choice. Excellence by design.
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