TOMMIE SAYLOR: Kennedy is a school with heart!

“The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.”

-- Aristotle

By Tommie Saylor

Kennedy High School Principal

I have spent the better part of the last week telling parents, community members and new students all about Kennedy High School.  Yet, I never quite seemed to “hit the nail on the head.”

Try as I might, I just could not capture the essence of Kennedy.  I can spew numbers, statistics and brag about our accomplishments `and philosophies, but I can’t convey what it feels like to be part of the Kennedy family.

Next time, maybe I should just tell them about a recent graduate who has fallen mortally ill, with his dying wish to meet the Michigan State football team. 

Hearing this, Ms. Courtney Osborne sprang into action making phone calls trying to see if she could help this young man realize his final dream.  One of the phone calls Ms. Osborne made was to Coach Jim Carlisle, who using his coaching connections, was able to arrange a meet and greet between this young man and the MSU team.

Next time, I should tell them how Ms. Christine Huffman went well out of her way to help a student that does not even attend Kennedy.  Ms. Huffman received a phone call from a student that was desperately trying to enroll himself in school. What captured Ms. Huffman’s heart was the young man’s anguish trying to get enrolled in school without parental assistance. 

According to Ms. Huffman, the young man made multiple inquiries with several neighboring school districts. Ms. Huffman told the student to stop making phone calls and that she would find out which district he belonged and call him back. Moments later, Ms. Huffman was able to call the student back letting him know what school district he lived in, and the contact phone number and information the student would need to register. 

Needless to say, the student was extremely grateful that someone took the time to lend assistance.

Next time, maybe should tell them about how Ms. Osborne picked up one of last year’s graduates and took him off to college, and helped him move in. Apparently the family did not have gas money or a working vehicle to get this “full ride” scholarship recipient off to college. 

Perhaps I should explain how SFC Michael Burton graciously accepted the Truman JROTC cadets with open arms, each integrating into the Kennedy program without loss of rank, awards or citations. 

Maybe even explain how our counselors, Ms. Lezlie Smith and Ms. Kimberly Santiz, regardless of increased case load and Internet reliability issues have dedicated themselves to meeting with each and every student to adjust their schedules as necessary even if it means taking armloads of work home and working on weekends.

Simply, Kennedy High School is a school with heart. 

We don’t work to just educate the children of our community, we work hard to help raise the children of our community. Kennedy High School is more than just a school, we are a service oriented community center.

Helping students to find their greatness. Making Kennedy the school of choice. Excellence by design.