“The true hero is one who conquers his own anger and
hatred.”
The Dalai Lama
By Tommie Saylor
Kennedy High School Principal
I am surrounded by silent heroes who truly understand our
purpose in life.
People like Sergeant Burton, a man whose character is so
pristine that I feel ashamed to be in his presence. Sergeant First Class
Michael Burton teaches our students some of the most important lessons in life,
lessons that will make the difference between success and failure, lessons that
turn young men and women into hard-charging productive leaders in our
community.
People like Lezlie Smith, a counselor whose heart is
without end, yet tries very hard to disguise just how much she cares for her
students. Ms. Smith works long hours for little pay and does so not for
recognition or glory, but because her students need her.
People like Christine Huffman and Rebecca Rowlings – new
additions to the Kennedy team – who have made huge impacts. Christine and
Rebecca have rounded out our team, made us better and bring excellence and
vitality to our efforts. I cannot remember when such an addition has had such a
huge impact to an organization.
People like Armelda Wilcox and Mandy Fencik, who quietly
make things happen that most of us take for granted. Armelda is the
Kennedy historian and I’m sure she will hate me for calling here the resident
Kennedy mom. I must say that she is not afraid to give me “what for” when I
mess up. Mandy is our first line of defense and is becoming the “face” of
Kennedy.
People like Amber McNew, Ken Hastings, Joseph Maudlin,
Tammy Duty and Lisa Guitar, who daily “raise the bar” by giving everything they
have to their students. People like Chris Burnett, Nick Lauerman, and
Craig James, who are very good teachers and care more for their students than
they do about personal gain.
People like Michelle Hall who has selflessly helped out
with ISS in times of need, and fights the good fight wondering if her efforts
are having a positive effect, wondering if they are going unnoticed. Well
Michelle, your efforts are having a positive effect on your students touching
their lives in ways that you will never know, and your efforts have not gone
unnoticed.
People like Meagan Bales who spends her own money for
groceries to support her cooking class, Keith Jesue who steps in
administratively when we “come a calling” and Mendie Russell who quietly takes
care of our standardized testing requirements.
But perhaps best of all, people like Jackie Lancina and
Janice Loomis. Jackie IS Kennedy High School, and passionately fights for it
daily. She possesses a strong “moral compass” constantly pushing for what is
right. Janice is so up to date and well read on the latest educational research
and trends that she puts me to shame. Jackie and Janice are without a doubt two
of the best assistant principals in our profession.
It is easy to celebrate those heroes who save a person
from a burning fire or save a soul from a masked gunman. But let’s not forget
those who quietly are paving the roads to our tomorrows.
You are my heroes, and the heroes for many of your
students who will sing your praises well after they leave our hallowed halls. You
are the heroes who are building the future of our great nation one student at a
time.
Remember, their future is in our hands. Making Kennedy the
school of choice. Excellence by design.
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