"Moving Forward to Meet the Demands of a Changing World"
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Proud to Be an American
In our society, it seems that when we gather together for something of importance, music plays a key role. This observation was certainly true of Thursday's graduation. For example, the procession would not have been complete without our band's rendition of "Pomp and Circumstance."
This post features "Proud to Be an American" sung by David Horton. Mr. Horton is the devoted husband of Dr. Joanne Horton. For many, this night was their first introduction to Mr. Horton, yet for two years, he has been a constant supporter of this school system as it seeks to fulfill its vision of moving forwardto meet the demands of a changing world.
Graduation is always a special a time for the the graduates and their families. At this time of year, high school graduation are being held in every community in America. One, however, has attracted the attention of the media nationwide and worldwide.
Each year, Dr. Condoleezza Rice accepts only one invitation to speak at a high school graduation. This year, that one was Talladega High School. In addition to hearing the inspiring words of a fellow Alabamian, every senior met and was photographed with Dr. Rice.
Here is the news story as told by ABC 33/40:
Jeremy Campbell of ABC 33/40 spent time with Dr. Rice in this exclusive interview:
Listed below is the Associated Press article which is appearing today throughout the country:
Associated Press Published: May 29, 2009
TALLADEGA, Ala. (AP) - Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has urged graduates of Talladega High School to find their passions in life and follow them. Rice a native of Birmingham, was the school’s graduation speaker Thursday night. She said she first studied music as a college student and later pursued international studies, although she said she “didn’t have a Russian bone in my body.“ She told the 150 graduates and their families that many years later, when she was leaving the White House lawn via helicopter with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and his wife in 1990, she thought she had made a good decision in changing her major. Talladega Mayor Brian York gave Rice a key to the city and declared Thursday “Condoleezza Rice Day."
Of all of the media attention, perhaps most notable is Chris Norwood's article in The Daily Home. That article appears here. This paper has proven to be a supporter of this school system time and time again. You may view a 29-picture slideshow of the event by clicking here.
Graduations are happening in every community in America. This one attracted the attention of the nation. As the Class of 2009 begins to make its mark on the world, who knows which of these graduates might just attract the attention of the nation. It can happen...just as it did for one Alabamian. Follow your passion...When you are convinced that you are right, find someone with a different opinion...Don't ever lose your thirst for knowledge. Wise words spoken by someone who has so much in common with the young men and women she was addressing.
There is another story to tell. Check back here on Monday.
The Talladega High School graduation will be held on May 28 at 7:00 in Mary Dumas Stadium. Note the location. After much discussion within our own ranks and with Dr. Rice's office, we did change from the original location of Harwell Auditorium so that we could accommodate more people. This post contains information that will be important over the coming week. Please check back here as this is the one place where we can put information that will be accessible by everyone.
Since graduation is at the stadium, do I still need a ticket?
Yes. Everyone needs a ticket, and the names of all ticket holders will be on a list. The Secret Service is involved in this event, so security is likely to be stringent.
How do I get my tickets if my child is graduating?
Students turned in names of people for whom they need tickets. Those tickets will be given to the students through Talladega High School.
I am a Talladega City Schools employee. How do I get tickets?
Principals at each school were asked to compile a list of names of those employees who wished to attend graduation. Principals will be given the required number of tickets to distribute to their employees.
I requested tickets by signing up on the this blog. How do I get my tickets?
You should have received an e-mail today. We did get some e-mails bounce back as being undeliverable. Be sure to check your spam filter before calling to inquire. Tickets may be picked up at the Talladega City Schools Board of Education between 8:00 and 3:30 this coming Tuesday and Wednesday. Be prepared to present your identification when picking up tickets.
What happens in case of rain?
Whenever someone plans an outdoor event, a rain plan simply becomes part of the logistics. In case of rain, graduation ceremonies will be moved to Harwell Auditorium.
Will my ticket get me into Harwell Auditorium?
It depends. Two types of tickets are being issued. One type is being issued to the students and their guests, Talladega City School employees, local dignitaries, and "first-come-first-served" members of the public who signed up via this blog. The second type is being issued to those who signed up on the blog. The e-mail you received will tell you which group you are in.
In the event of rain, the lunchroom at Talladega High School will be used to house those who are not able to get into Harwell Auditorium. Those in the lunchroom will be able to watch the graduation ceremony through a live feed.
I didn't request tickets at all. Is there any way I can still go?
Yes. Simply come by the Talladega City School Board of Education on Tuesday or Wednesday between 8:00 and 3:30. You will need to present your identification since we do have to maintain a list of every person who is being admitted. Please realize that in the event of rain, the ticket you will be receiving will not get you into Harwell Auditorium. You will be able to view the ceremony in the THS lunchroom.
How much are tickets?
Tickets are free.
You mentioned security. Tell me more.
Being the most recent former Secretary of State, Dr. Rice still maintains Secret Service protection. Everyone will go through a metal detector upon entering the stadium. A list of names of ticket holders is to be maintained.
Is there anything else I need to know?
Yes. Savor the moment. To have Dr. Condoleezza Rice as our speaker is an honor, and the full magnitude of just how big this is will probably not be realized until next Thursday. This is special for our seniors. This is special for our school system. This is special for Talladega.
Many, many people have worked very hard to make this day possible. When we made the initial contact, we felt we had little hope of her actually coming here, yet we gave it our best shot. That in itself should be a message to our seniors about what is possible when people dream bigger than others think is practical.
Handling the logistics has required hard work, patience, and a little imagination. We are not used to something of this magnitude, and we are learning as we go. That is the second message to this senior class, that if you wait until everything is in perfect alignment before you are willing to step out of the box, you will never step out of the box.
Along the way, there are those who ask, "How can I help?" and those who simply sit back and criticize. That is the third message for our seniors, that they will meet both types of people in their lives and will get to decide into which camp they themselves will fall.
Class of 2009, your day is approaching. Savor the moment.
Thanks to those who have expressed enthusiasm for our graduation speaker, Dr. Condoleezza Rice. Harwell Auditorium has a large seating capacity. Compare the 1,450 seats in our facility with the seating capacity of auditoriums in the surrounding area, and you we begin to realize how fortunate we are to have that facility.
Even though we have a large seating capacity, it is also a finite seating capacity. When the number of people who wish to attend this event exceeds the number of available seats, some decisions must be made. The order in which preference for seating is being given is as follows:
Guests of graduating seniors (up to 6)
Employees of the Talladega City Board of Education (up to 2 per person)
Guests of graduating seniors (beyond 6)
Invited dignitaries
General public
At this point, THS seniors have been given the opportunity to submit names of up to 6 guests. Actual names are being required to fulfill both a requirement from Dr. Rice's office and to ensure that only tickets which are really needed are being requested. We know that some students will submit 6 names while others may have only 2 or 3 names.
After examining the number of tickets requested by students and employees, we will determine the number of tickets still available and allow students who need more than 6 tickets an opportunity to request additional ones.
Once student requests have been filled, tickets will be given to a select number of local dignitaries. Finally, remaining tickets will be issued on a first-come-first-served basis (limit of two). We already have a mechanism in place to track those ticket requests.
We anticipate that we will know how many tickets will be available to the public on May 21. At that point, we will e-mail those whose ticket requests we can honor by e-mail. We will do the same with those whose requests we cannot honor.
We are looking at provisions for providing a live telecast of the graduation ceremony for those who wish to attend but are not able to get tickets.
Additional information will appear here as it becomes available.
As one would image, interest in the THS Graduation Ceremony and our speaker Dr. Condoleezza Rice is high. Due to the seating capacity of Harwell Auditorium, we must limit the number of people who may may be seated in that facility. First preference is given to the invited guests of our students, employees of the Talladega City Board of Education, and local dignitaries. Remaining tickets will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. A plan will be formulated to handle the overflow that we are not able to seat in Harwell Auditorium.
To request tickets, click the appropriate link on the right-hand side of the screen, and then press "Submit." (Neither THS students, their relatives, or Talladega City School employees are to complete this form. Your tickets are being handled another way.)
There is no cost for the tickets, but there is a limit of two per party. You will be contacted by e-mail regarding the status of your tickets.
