Opelika: A City of Character. Character Education Program Opelika High School Term 2

Opelika: A City of Character Character Education Program Opelika High School 2009-2010 Term 2

Opelika: A City of Character 2009-2010 Special thanks to Opelika Observer, D. Mark Mitchell, Opelika-Auburn News, Kate Larkin, Envision Opelika, East Alabama Living, the Publishing Class Sara Bible, Martha Priester, Kathryn Spain, and Quentin Torbert and the fine people of Opelika, Alabama.

January 5-8, 2010 Courtney Lockhart 2 Courtney Lockhart is originally from Opelika, Alabama. While in the Opelika City School System, she was involved in many extracurricular activities that helped build her character, while simultaneously receiving academic preparation for attending and successfully completing college. At Opelika High School, she was the Sports Editor of the MainStreet Gazette, which prepared her to take on the position of Editor-In- Chief of the Tuskegee University Campus Digest for two years. She attended Tuskegee University where she received a BS degree in Biology. Motivation Courtney has since been enrolled as a medical student at Harvard Medical School. Now in between her third and fourth year of medical school training, she is dedicating a year to completing a Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in Family and Community Health. Courtney will train in pediatrics and focus on pediatric chronic diseases and associated societal elements that these children may face. She would like to use her training in medicine and public health to provide family support, healthcare services, and other resources through communitybased programs for children disproportionately affected by these diseases so they may fulfill their highest physical, emotional, and educational potential.

Vocabulary Objective (adjective) unbiased; not subjective OHS 2009-2010 Pliable (adjective) flexible; not stubborn Rescind (verb) retract; repeal Discussion 1. Write your own definition of motivation. 2. How has motivation defined Lockhart s life? Wonder, rather than doubt, is the root of knowledge. Abraham Joshua Herschel 3

4 January 11-15, 2010 John Wesley Darden John Wesley Darden, born Sept. 27, 1876, in Wilson, NC., was the eldest child of Charles Henry and Dianah Scarborough Darden. In their book Spoonbread and Strawberry Wine Norma Jean and Carol Darden have this to say about their uncle, Dr. John Darden: From the age of ten, when he was unable to find medical assistance for his unconscious sister Annie, John had one driving goal, and that was to become a doctor. At the age of thirteen, he was sent by Papa Darden to high school in Salisbury, N.C. Lean years followed as he worked his way through Livingstone College, medical school and an internship in Long Island, N.Y. His was a long, hard struggle, but when he made it the pattern was established that the younger ones would follow. Summer jobs mainly on the railroad and ships took John all over the country. But he always found his way back to Wilson (N.C.) to share what he had seen and learned of the world and to encourage his brothers and sisters in their pursuits. By the time he was ready to put out his shingle in 1903, Wilson already had black medical service, so John went deeper south, settling in Opelika, Alabama, where as the only black doctor in a thirty mile radius, he was greeted with an eighteen-hour workday. As soon as he could get away he went back to North Carolina to marry Maude Jean Logan. She was born June 26, 1890. Soon after, John, making calls with his new wife in his horse and buggy, became a familiar sight on the narrow dirt roads around Opelika. John opened a drugstore on Avenue A. His brother J.B. had just earned his degree in pharmacy from Howard University, so he was recruited as a partner. The two brothers dispensed prescriptions, and cosmetics, ice cream and a lot of good cheer, and the store became a meeting place for the community. Local residents tell us that their Sunday was not complete without a stroll to the drugstore for a chat and a Perseverance

OHS 2009-2010 scoop of John s homemade ice cream. Among Dr. Darden s medical contemporaries was Dr. Homer Bruce. Dr. Bruce held the black doctor s skills in high esteem and unusual for their time, the doctor s frequently called each other in for consultation. Dr. Yvonne Phillips remembers that Mrs. Darden would invite children to her home for after-church tea parties. She spent so much time trying to better our speaking skills and our manners. She really made us better people. They were both so interested in the well being of the community, especially the children. They only wanted the best for all of us to have a skill and to go to school. Vocabulary Temper (verb) to moderate; soften Abstruse (adjective) difficult to understand; obscure Blunderbuss (noun) 1. ancient heavy gun that fired a wide pattern of shot; 2. a clumsy person Cringe (verb) recoil; flinch; shy away Discussion 1. What does it mean to have perseverance? 2. How did John Darden s perseverance help the Opelika community? By stretching yourself beyond your perceived level of confidence, you accelerate your development of competence. Michael Gelb & Tony Buzan 5

6 January 19-22, 2010 Jo Browning Activists are born in a lot of different ways. Some are inspired by a movement. Others learn from parents or mentors. To tireplant worker Jo Browning of Opelika, AL, activism was born of a search for childcare. There were few hints in her youth that Ms. Browning, the softspoken daughter of an Air Force medic, would one day grab the microphone at a 2,500-delegate Unites Steelworkers convention and put down the corporate bosses of America. She began work in 1984 building tires at Uniroyal-Goodrich s sprawling plant in Opelika, Alabama. In 1993, competitive pressures led Uniroyal-Goodrich, a unit of Michelin North America, to convert to rotating shifts to lower costs and improve quality control. To families like Ms. Browning s, the change meant living life on shifting sands. Instead of the stable weekday and weekend crews of the past, the crews began rotating among four cycles combining eight- and 12-hour shifts. The schedule capsized the fragile balance Ms. Browning and her husband had crafted. Few child-care providers wanted to rotate their hours to match plant workers. Two of Whitney s sitters quit within 18 months. Why doesn t [the sitter] like me any more? she once asked. Ms. Browning agonized that her child had no stability in her life. Working from a list provided by a local resource center, she called 73 in-home sitters asking for weekend care and got 73 no s. She wasn t alone. One coworker gave up sleep while on some 12-hour shifts, caring for her children all day and working all night. She napped on breaks. Diligence Angered, Ms. Browning started researching childcare. She

circulated a petition and keynoted a union-hall child-care meeting. Ms. Browning went to the main office and talked to management when nobody else would, says Mary Lynn Porter, founder of the Child Care Resource Center. Ms. Browning convinced Uniroyal- Goodrich to survey workers on childcare and learned 86% of the workers in deed had child-care Vocabulary problems. OHS 2009-2010 Ms. Browning asked an outside agency to draw up a plan for an innovative seven-day-a-week childcare center. Ms. Browning spoke before a city planning meeting to urge zoning approval; the center, funded by parent fees, opened in the fall in a new threebedroom house. Envenom (verb) to cause bitterness and bad feeling Hedonism (noun) self indulgence; pleasure-seeking Laconic (adjective) using few words; brief; to the point Discussion 1. What does diligence mean to you? 2. How did Browning s diligence help others? 3. Is it harder or easier to practice diligence in tough situations? For the diligent, a week has seven days; for the slothful, seven tomorrows. -German Proverb 7

8 January 25-29, 2010 Jane Walker Jane Walker graduated from University of Georgia in 1948. After graduating, Jane taught elementary school for nine years in Thomasville, West Point, and Columbus, Georgia. In 1957, she married Jacob Walker and moved to Opelika, the town she grew to love. Walker loved the school children she taught, and this love for children continued throughout her life. She taught Sunday School, coordinated the church s children s program for 21 years. She led three Girl Scout troops for nine years. When the schools integrated, Walker became an advocate for children of all races as she staunchly supported the public schools. Walker was a tireless PTA volunteer and leader, she served on the Opelika School Board for 15 years. Walker cared deeply about the Opelika School System throughout her life. When Walker learned that a child accused of a mine crime had spent the night in jail because there was no other place to go, Walker and Mrs. Cecil Morman launched the Lee County Respect Council for Neglected and Dependent Children, which is known today as the Lee County Youth Development Center. Walker also helped develop Project Uplift, which pairs Auburn University students with underprivileged children. Walker s final project for the children of Lee County was the Boys and Girls Clubs. Jane helped found the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Lee County, served as President and a Board member, and received the award for outstanding volunteer in the Southeast for the Boys and Girls Club in 1996. Walker loved Opelika and was active in many civic groups including the Opelika Arts Association and the Opelika Historic Preservation Committee, where she helped initiate the for Others

Main Street program. Walker was vice-chair of the Opelika Housing Authority and served as chair of the Lee County Board of Human Resources for 25 years, OHS 2009-2010 during which time she served two terms as president of the Alabama State Association of Human Resources Boards. Vocabulary Oblique (adjective) indirect; slanting Plumage (noun) feathers of a bird Resignation (noun) acceptance of fate Tenacious (adjective) stubborn; resolute; holding firm to a purpose Discussion 1. What traits show respect? 2. What is the relationship between respect for others and a career in public service? 3. How does self-respect relate to respect for others? Men are respectable only as they respect. -Ralph Waldo Emerson 9

February 1-5, 2010 Back in the early seventies, Roy Lee Jackson was an outstanding baseball player pitching for the Opelika Bulldogs; so outstanding that in the spring of his senior year, the Houston Astros had high hopes for the young star and picked Jackson in the 12 th round of the 1972 MLB draft. But Jackson turned down that opportunity and instead continued his education. He signed a scholarship to play college baseball at Tuskegee Institute, where his success on the mound kept the attention of the major league scouts. In June 1975, following his junior year at Tuskegee, his chance at big time baseball came again when he signed an amateur free agent contract with he New York Mets. Jackson played for the Mets for five years being traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in December 1980. The Jacksons spent the off-season of 1979 in Venezuela where Jackson 10 Roy Jackson played Winter Ball, and it was there his good friend and fellow Mets pitcher Pete Falcone witnessed to his teammate and invited the Jacksons to a Bible-study. Their lives have never been the same. Jackson says though his life on the inside changed that night, things were pretty much the same on the baseball field. I made a confession and promised God I would live my life for him, Jackson says. As a believer, there wasn t any change in the intensity of my game, I just got out there and played to the best of my ability only now I played for God s glory. That same year, he was named the Blue Jay s Rolaids Relief Pitcher of the Year, and he, along with four other Christian teammates donned the cover of a baseball magazine giving them the title of God Squad. But just a year later, Jackson was released by the Blue Jays. Believe it or not, the rumors were swirling and complaints were mounting that too many guys were accepting the Lord, Jackson says shaking his head. I guess being a Christian wasn t cool in the 80s. Jackson was released on April Fool s Day 1985. Loving Jackson pitched a total of 280 games for five MLB teams before retiring from the game in 1987: the NY Mets, the Toronto Blue Jays,

the San Diego Padres, the Minnesota Twins, and the Milwaukee Brewers. He has a full page of impressive stats and accolades, and his face on more than 15 baseball cards. After retirement, Jackson became an ordained minister. He and his wife, Mary, began a home church in their living room. We re small in number, but we re a strong church, Jackson said. The Jacksons never had children of their own, but they opened their home to countless Auburn University students, giving them a place to hang out together, all the while teaching God s Word and leading by example. Vocabulary Accolade (noun) tribute; honor; praise Bolster (verb) support; prop up Cryptic (adjective) puzzling; enigmatic Ephemeral (adjective) short-lived Discussion 1. What strengths does a loving person demonstrate? OHS 2009-2010 Roy Lee lets these young men see firsthand how a man is supposed to treat a woman, Mary says. He cooks, he cleans, and he treats me like a queen. So many of these boys were raised by a single mother and really have no idea how to be a good husband. Through his Holy Spirit, God showed Roy how to treat a wife, so he serves as an example to these men. Scott Reppert of Scott Reppert Baseball Cards in Fairmont, W. VA, called Jackson one of my Real Heroes of Baseball. To me, he is the greatest Man of God to ever play Major League Baseball. 2. What would you say is Roy Jackson s definition of love? A loving heart is the beginning of all knowledge. -Thomas Carlyle 11

12 February 8-12, 2010 Patricia A. Jones (known as Patsy ) is a native of Opelika, Alabama. She studied in her home state, earning with Honors a B.S. and a M.Ed. from Alabama State University in Montgomery; additionally, she is certified in Municipal Government. As an English teacher in the Tallapoosa County School System for 24 years, she touched the lives of many students and yielded outstanding accomplishments. Leaving the classroom in 1998, she joined the staff of the Alabama Education Association (AEA) where she is currently a UniServ Director for District 19 (Chambers and Lee Counties). A trailblazer in her own community, Patsy Jones was the first woman appointed in 1992 by the Mayor of Opelika to be on the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority, and the first woman elected Vice Chair of that Board. Continuing to make history, she became the first African American woman to be elected to the Opelika City Council in 1995, completing an unexpired term and re-elected for two full terms. She was Patsy Jones also the first African American woman elected President Pro Tem of the Opelika City Council. During her tenure in local government, Councilwoman Jones has had a solid track record for supporting legislation enhancing the welfare of people in her district and Opelika; for promoting economic development; and for working to get a new tax passed, earmarked for the Opelika City Schools. Other achievements include allocating monies to renovate a new recreational addition to the Covington Community Center, getting an ordinance passed for weed abatement and demolition of abandoned buildings and homes, sponsoring a program designed to train and educated parents and children for a better life, and purchasing ceiling fans for all elderly residents of her Loyalty

district in the Opelika Housing Authority. Councilwoman Jones provides leadership in many civic, professional, and political organizations. Her dedication to the causes close to her heart has Vocabulary Lamentation (noun) expression of regret or sorrow Obliterate (verb) destroy; demolish; eradicate Plummet (verb) fall suddenly and steeply Resolution (noun) determination Discussion 1. Write your own definition of loyalty. OHS 2009-2010 brought her numerous awards, including recognition in Who s Who Among America s Teachers, Notable Women of East Alabama, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Hall of Fame, and 2004 Women of Achievement of Girls Scouts Concharty Council. 2. Why is loyalty important in high offices? 3. How does loyalty go along with leadership? A good leader is not the person who does things right, but the person who finds the right things to do. Anthony T. Dadovano 13

February 16-19, 2010 Mike Spain had a laugh that filled a room and a hall, and a building, and many lives. During his 32- year career, he taught thousands of students. They remember his dedication to his classes, his skill as a historian, his care for his students and every single one of them remember his laugh. When that full-throated laugh would pierce walls into other classrooms, people would smile and say, That s Mr. Spain. Spain came from Florence, Alabama, where his mother s family lived close to the TVA dam, or on the dam road as he used to tell his friends. He graduated from Coffee High School and began college as a cadet at Annapolis, the United States Naval Academy, but he resigned to enlist in the regular navy thinking he d get to his dream quicker, being a deep water sailor. Instead, he was assigned to a loading dock deep in Viet Nam with a Marine unit during some of the most dangerous months 14 Mike Spain of that war. After he finished his tour, he returned to Alabama, married, and worked his way through Auburn University majoring in Social Studies Education. Spain taught his entire career in Opelika, beginning in 1972 at the junior high school in the old Clift High building located by Moore stadium where the Brownfield House now stands. He then moved to the present Middle School campus when the new high school was opened the next year. For nineteen years he taught seventh and eighth-grade social studies, then moved to Opelika High School in 1991 where he taught tenth through twelfth-grade history, government, and economics. He was named the District 2 Teacher of the Year for the 1999-2000 school year, among other teaching honors he collected over his career. Since Spain viewed history as one big story, he considered himself a storyteller. His gift was working closely with all types of students from those that struggled to gifted scholars. He was the natural choice to begin the high school s tutoring program that prepares students to pass the High School Graduation Exam. He also worked among the faculty as the Morale Officer or MO, sending encouraging emails to teachers each day. Each of his students has a story about a day that Mr. Spain made us laugh, whether it was introducing himself as a science Cheerfulness

teacher on the first day of class while having students check their schedules to be sure they were assigned to a science class, or working a Bob Dylan song into a history lecture. Many of his students have his slick-headed photo because each year he promised to shave his head if the track team won the state title. When he was diagnosed with a brain tumor in the fall of 2003, a sadness fell over the whole school system. Spain wouldn t allow that sadness. When his health would allow him, he worked as a substitute teacher at the Middle School where he discovered OHS 2009-2010 a whole new group of students to enjoy. His obituary, which he wrote himself, began, If you are reading this in the obituaries then the report of Mike Spain s death was evidently not exaggerated as in the case of Mark Twain. Nor was his death unexpected. He died on September 26, 2005, but as he wrote toward the end of his obituary, If a dollar value could be placed on family ties and friendship and fulfillment on the job then Mike died far and away the wealthiest man in the world. Now heaven rings with that laugh, and everyone says, That s Mr. Spain. Vocabulary Tentative (adjective) not certain Acquiesce (verb) to agree to; give in to Bombast (noun) arrogant, pompous language Discussion 1. What attributes did Mr. Spain have that showed cheerfulness? 2. In what ways can you display cheerfulness? I am a part of all that I have met. Alfred Tennyson 15

February 22-26, 2010 Phyllis Mills Peters was born in Macon County in 1950. Back then African Americans were denied admission to what was then Lee County Hospital (now EAMC). While her mother was a high school graduate, her father was a truck driver with only a 5 th -grade education because he had to quit school to work during the depression to help his family. She often heard her father pray for his children to get an education. Mrs. Peters educational journey began around the age of four. She attended Miss Bessie s School. Mrs. Bessie Brady taught children in her home on York Street. Being there encouraged Mrs. Peters to learn and inspired her to want to teach some day. From kindergarten she was promoted to the 2 nd grade (but she attended 1 st grade). From the 1st grade through her junior year in high school, she attended segregated schools. As part of a 16 Phyllis Peters pilot educational program at the beginning of the fall of 1967, Mrs. Peters transferred to Opelika High School, located where Opelika Middle School is now. She was not alone. That year 12 seniors (8 boys/4 girls), 6 juniors, 8 sophomores, 3 freshmen and 1 teacher made that same journey. Of the 12 seniors, 10 graduated in May of 1968. The 1967-68 school year was the first year that African-American students could attend classes in the all white public high school. That year was not easy, yet there were no major negative experiences. We were all under a microscope. At OHS we found new books with updated copyrights, up to date and better equipped science labs, more robust curriculum and many more course offerings, and smaller class sizes. Her three years at Darden High school prepared her for the educational challenges at OHS. She participated in the Beta Club and Pep Club. She gave up being named valedictorian at Darden and lost possible scholarships by the transfer. That was her biggest sacrifice. She graduated with honors from OHS. Tolerance Four years later, Mrs. Peters graduated from Auburn University in June of 1972 fulfilling the requirements in the schools of Arts and Sciences and the school of Education, with a BA in Sociology and minors in

OHS 2009-2010 Psychology and History. She earned a Masters in Counselor Education in 1976. She began working in Opelika City Schools in the fall of 1972, the year that the new OHS was built. She taught social studies for 16 years and has been our guidance counselor for 21 years. In retrospect, said Mrs. Peters, as a 17-year-old, I think I had more confidence than courage. I owe it all to many people. I am very thankful for loving nurturing parents, supportive teachers and administrators, a supportive husband, and an awesome God. It is not often that a homegrown girl gets the opportunity to experience two wonderful educational careers in the same educational system. Both of my grown children are graduates of OHS. Vocabulary Curtail (verb) cut short Epicure (noun) someone who appreciates good food and drink Heed (verb) listen to Lampoon (verb) ridicule; spoof Discussion 1. What is tolerance? 2. In the midst of turmoil, how did Peters show tolerance? Men are not the prisoners of fate, but only prisoners of their own mind. Franklin D. Roosevelt 17

18 March 8-12, 2010 James S. Voss Colonel James S. Voss (Ret.) was born March 3, 1949, in Cordova, Alabama, but considers Opelika, Alabama, to be his hometown. He enjoys woodworking, skiing, softball, racquetball, scuba diving, and flying an airplane he built himself. As an undergraduate, he participated on the Auburn University Wrestling Team. Col. Voss graduated from Opelika High School, Opelika, Alabama; received a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from Auburn University in 1972. Upon graduation from Auburn and commissioning as a 2nd Lieutenant, Voss went directly to the University of Colorado to obtain his masters degree under the Army Graduate Fellowship Program. After attending the Infantry Basic Course, Airborne and Ranger schools, he served with the 2nd Battalion 48th Infantry in Germany as a platoon leader, intelligence staff officer, and company commander. On returning to the United States, he attended the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, and then taught for three years in the Department of Mechanics at the U.S. Military Academy. After attending the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School and the Armed Forces Staff College, Voss was assigned to the U.S. Army Aviation Engineering Flight Activity as a Flight Test Engineer/Research and Development Coordinator. He was involved in several major flight test projects before being detailed to NASA s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. Selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in June 1987, Voss completed a one-year training and evaluation program in August 1988, which qualified him for assignment as a mission specialist on Space Shuttle flights. Jim retired from NASA in 2003 to serve as Associate Dean of Engineering for External Affairs at Auburn University, assisting with student projects Determination

and development for the College and teaching a class in Aerospace Engineering on human spacecraft design. Voss has space flight experience on the Atlantis (November 24 - December 1, 1991), Discovery (December 2-9, 1992), and Endeavour (September 7-18, 1995). During the Atlantis OHS 2009-2010 (May 19-29, 2000) expedition, Jim conducted spacewalks in both U.S. and Russian space suits and was the first person to operate the Space Station Robotic Manipulator System, Canadarm2. In completing this mission, Voss logged a total of 167 days in space, including 2 spacewalks totaling 9 hours and 5 minutes of EVA time. Vocabulary Oblivious (adjective) totally unaware Podium (noun) raised platform Resonant (adjective) echoing Tenuous (adjective) flimsy; not solid Discussion 1. How did James Voss show determination to get where he wanted to be? 2. List three ways determination relates to school. Little strokes Fell great oaks. Benjamin Franklin 19

March 22-26, 2010 20 Peter Amos founded Coach- Comm in 1991 as a one-man operation. Amos had created a user-interface specific to football for Auburn University that significantly enhanced sideline communications performance. It was this technology that attracted the attention of Division 1A and professional football teams. Almost instantly it was adopted as the standard in sideline communications. Peter Amos As the high-end headset business was taking off, Peter began to create an entire business, CoachComm, around this advance in communication technology. He planned to sell headset systems to Division 1A football teams and high schools across the country. Over the ensuing years, CoachComm began catering to high school level products. First, these offerings were limited to headsets based off of Telex technology and later included less expensive two-way radio based systems. Positive CoachComm is now the wireless sideline communications provider for 95% of Division 1A colleges and thousands of high school and small college programs across the country. Based in Auburn, AL, CoachComm offers the best sideline communications equipment and coaching tools available on the market today. Over the years, CoachComm s strength has been as a high profile marketing based company that positions itself as a professional provider of great electronic equipment to sports teams. CoachComm s partnership with companies like GamePlan, JVC, Microboards, Eiki, and Canon continues to position CoachComm as the industry leader in all areas of sports electronics and communication. Attitude Amos is very glad to have been educated in the Opelika City School System. It was there that

OHS 2009-2010 he met many life-long friends and learned many life lessons that he has carried with him through his professional development. In particular, he recalls taking accounting from Mrs. Claire Plott. Mrs. Plott helped him to gain an appreciation of many business principles and the accounting behind them. After graduation from Opelika High School, he went to Auburn University and majored in accounting. Even though he is not an accountant by trade, not a day goes by that he does not use the knowledge gained in those classes in the management of his business. Amos believes that students who apply themselves can do great things with an education from the Opelika City School System. Vocabulary Acrid (adjective) sharp; pungent (used of smells and tastes) Boorish (adjective) ill-mannered Cynical (adjective) believing that people act only out of selfish motives Epistle (noun) a letter (form of communication) Discussion 1. Define positive attitude. 2. Explain two other traits needed in addition to positive attitude to succeed in high school? Just one great idea can completely revolutionize your life. Earl Nightingale 21

March 29-April 2, 2010 A stellar career with the Cowboys included winning two Super Bowls over the Buffalo Bills in 1992 and 1993, playing with his dear friend 22 Tommie Agee Tommie Agee is best known in these parts for his playing days as a fullback with the Auburn Tigers in the mid 80s. When he wasn t carrying the football, he was blocking for some running back named Bo Jackson, still one of Agee s closest friends. A lot has happened in the game of life since those days to bring Agee full circle, back to Alabama, to its people and to a job he loves. Agee completed his college football eligibility at Auburn in 1986, and the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round of the 1987 NFL draft picked him. Agee spent one more year with the Seahawks before making a free agent deal with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1989. After that season, the Dallas Cowboys lassoed him. Emmitt Smith. But by 1994, Agee had had enough. I played football for as long as I wanted to, he says. It was time to go, and I wanted to quit before a coach told me he couldn t use me anymore. I wanted to leave on my terms. I figured I d take a year off and just relax and enjoy the easy life, Agee says. One day Tommie got a call from Opelika Parks and Recreation Director Bill Harrelson who wanted to meet with him. I ll never forget it. It was about 1:30 in the afternoon when I was on my way to the meeting with Bill. I got to the corner of Second Avenue and Fifth Street and the thought hit me like a brick, he s going to offer me a job. This is what I ve been praying for. When the board met to discuss the characteristics we were looking for, Bill said he would like to find somebody like Tommie Agee, board chair Rusty Melnick says. I said if we were looking for somebody like Tommie, then why don t we just offer the job to Tommie? Within weeks, Agee was moving his very pregnant wife and two young sons to Opelika where they have been ever since. Commitment

The Covington Recreation Center that Agee manages today hardly resembles the same place he walked into 10 years ago. Freshly painted throughout by Agee and his colleagues an addition to the building, and countless new programs for everyone from preschoolers to senior adults transformed the facility into a hustling, bustling place for fun and fellowship. Tommie is a tireless worker who takes a great deal of pride in his work and his programs, Melnick says. He was an excellent choice OHS 2009-2010 and has done and been more than we could ever have hoped for. So why is Agee, owner of two Super Bowl rings, rolling white paint on the bottom of an empty swimming pool? Because he wants to. I love working with my crew, and I ve always wanted to work with kids, so I m in a dream job right now, Agee says. I ve always wanted to give back. I want to give of myself. I want to protect my future and theirs. I want to make a difference. Vocabulary Heresy (noun) against orthodox opinion Lance (noun) spear; spike; javelin Obscure (adjective) difficult to understand; partially hidden Poignant (adjective) deeply moving; strongly affecting the emotions Discussion 1. How can you tell if a person has commitment? 2. How does Agee show commitment? 3. Which is more impressive, his two Superbowl rings or the paint roller in his hand mentioned in the 12th paragraph? Don t tell me how talented you are. Tell me how hard you work. Artur Rubinstein 23

24 April 5-9, 2010 There are things in life that are always constant, the old adage about death and taxes aside. I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that when someone asks Tim Gore how he s doing, he will respond, I m doing better than I deserve. Always. No exceptions. Cliff McCollum, a family friend, says he is blessed to have known Tim Gore his entire life. When describing Mr. Tim, Cliff says, It is rare that you run across a truly selfless person. There are certainly those who feign such behavior, to gain accolades or higher positions, climbing the ladder in a very underhanded and ultimately unrewarding way. Tim Gore is the genuine article. He truly cares about people and will do whatever he can to help someone out. Tim Gore is a doer, one who serves the needs of others as much as he can, the sort of person, as Jerry Herman would say, who puts himself last so that you can come first. According to his daughters, Tim Gore Humility Mary Louise and Anna (both Opelika High School graduates), there are countless accounts of Dad s random acts of kindness, whether it is taking a stranger to get something to eat because they can t afford it, going the extra mile to deliver an order from his business, or lending a hand to help someone park their car at church. Dad is honest in business, never short-handing customers or looking to get ahead, but instead looking to serve and provide for his family the best way he can. To him, business is all about the service. He will do anything he can to make someone s day, looking for nothing in return. Our dad is the definition of character and it has made quite an

OHS 2009-2010 impression on us. He has taught us to love and serve others, to extend friendship and kindness to everyone. Vocabulary Respite (noun) a break; intermission Terse (adjective) concise; to the point Bourgeois (noun) middle class Discussion 1. How does kindness relate to humility? 2. Why would it be hard to have humility in the business world? 3. To what extent do you show humility? Humility is to make a right estimate of one s self. C. H. Spurgeon 25

April 12-16 Winston Smith T of Southview Elementary School and the Morris Avenue Elementary School as well as numerous expansions and renovations of existing schools, including the construction of the Opelika Center for the Performing Arts at the high school. 26 Winston Smith T graduated from Clift High School in 1951 and then graduated with high honors from Princeton University where he majored in politics in 1955. After Princeton he served in Germany as a Field Artillery first lieutenant, then returned to Opelika to the building-supply business started by his father and now run by his son, Dozier. Known as one of Opelika s historians and community volunteers Winston was a member for 20 years on the Opelika School Board, serving as its chairman for many years. During his tenure, the School Board oversaw the building He served on the board of the Opelika Chamber of Commerce, the Opelika Arts Association, the 1st Federal Savings & Loan Lee County, and the First National Bank of Opelika (now BancorpSouth). He also was appointed by Governor Fob James to the Alabama Historical Commission where he served as vice-chairman. In addition, he served as vice-chairman of the Lee County Chapter of the Salvation Army and served on the board of the Museum of East Alabama. Opelika s mayor described Smith T as an outstanding citizen whose understated manner led to many acts of kindness and generosity that were only known to the recipient. He was certainly a true gentleman, the mayor said. Humility

Vocabulary Debility (noun) weakness; incapacity OHS 2009-2010 Hiatus (noun) interruption; pause Languid (adjective) tired; slow Obscured (adjective) hidden; covered; buried Discussion 1. Compare the humility of Smith T with that of Gore from last week s lesson. 2. How does John D. Rockerfeller s quote tie into humility? I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty. John D. Rockerfeller 27

April 19-23, 2010 Joe Zaccaro 28 Joe Zaccaro is an ex-motorcycle and speedboat racer. He became interested in drag racing in 1964 starting with a front engine A-Fuel dragster. Joe also raced AA/Fuel Funny cars for two years and then went back to A-Fuel and blown AA/ Fuel dragsters. Zacarro is a self-employed businessman currently making his home in Opelika, Alabama. In 1984 he bought his first jet car, Ground Zero powered by a Westinghouse J-34. 1990-1995 Joe was the driver for the Lone Star Lightning and Texas Thunder cars owned by Charlie Hand, two of the first jets to go 300 + M.P.H.in 4 seconds in the quarter mile. His all time top speed is 313 M.P.H. in 4.96 seconds at Thunder Valley Dragway in July of 1995 driving Charlie Hand s Lone Star Lightning car. Since the evolution of jet car racing in the early 70 s, people have been fascinated by their explosive power, Motivation fire and flames. Add to that the sound and speed of jet powered race cars, 40-50 foot fire balls, billowing smoke and thundering burner pops, everyone who witnesses them is excited and amazed. Racers, spectators and pit crews alike stop and watch when the jets come to the starting line. The Zaccaro Motorsports Race Team is proud to present the White Lightning and Thunderbolt Jet Dragsters which epitomize the aforementioned qualities. These two cars represent the ultimate style, design, technology and speed in the world of jet car racing. The race team is the culmination of 42 years of research and development by Joe Zaccaro and his associates. They are listed as one of the top rated jet competitors in the country today. Their cars are being raced at tracks around the country and are consistently running in the mid to low 5 second E.T. s in the 285-295 M.P.H. range. These race cars are in a long line of

OHS 2009-2010 high performance race cars owned by this racing team. The White Lightning Jet Dragster was built in Denver, Colorado by Mark Stevens and Joe Zaccaro in early 2008 and is the most beautiful Jet Dragster built to date. All the latest technology was used to assure maximum performance, style and speed. All you have to do is take a look and you will appreciate the time and dedication that has gone into the construction and design of these cars. The Zaccaro Motorsports Race Team is headquartered in Opelika, Alabama in a 24,000 sq. ft. building large enough to house their truck, trailer and cars, but most importantly affords them the room to design and build new cars and to constantly improve performance on existing and upcoming cars. Jet cars like White Lightning and Thunderbolt, are rapidly becoming the hottest, most sought after form of exhibition racing at drag strips around the world as they attract and hold the crowds by bringing an exciting memory making experience to each and every race. Vocabulary Poised (adjective) calm; collected; self-possessed Resplendent (adjective) shining; glowing Therapeutic (adjective) medicinal; curative Acuity (noun) sharpness (mental or visual) Discussion 1. How does Zaccaro fit the definition of motivation that you wrote for the Jan. 5 character ed lesson? 2. What is the relationship between the motivation needed in sports and the motivation needed in life? With patience and saliva, the elephant swallows an ant. Colombian Proverb 29

30 April 26-30, 2010 Clifford Jones Reverend Clifford E. Jones, the pastor of Greater Peace Baptist located on Jeter Avenue, is the epitome of integrity, love and concern. His concern for the young and those in need prompted him to start the Greater Peace Community Development Corporation (GPCDC) with board members who share Rev. Jones vision for affordable childcare and housing. A man of action, Rev. Jones and the GPCDC board members have spearheaded the purchase of homes in the Jeter community and renovated them to offer quality affordable homes for rent and they joined in partnership with Fred Bennett to provide affordable new homes in Jordan Gates for families that would not be able to purchase them but who could rent to own. These homes are of the highest quality with many amenities and the community is designed to promote a safe environment for children as well as opportunities to use technology. Two other projects of the GPCDC include the Greater Peace Child Care Center that provides affordable child care for parents and the Youth Leadership Academy that provides opportunities for high school students in Lee County to develop leadership skills and character traits to impact their lives as well as the community. Rev. Jones received a B.S. degree in Agriculture Education from Alcorn State University; a Master of Religion Education from Gordon- Conwell Seminary in Hamilton, Massachusetts; Master of Education in Personnel Administration from Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama; and he pursued graduate work at Billy Graham School of Evangelism. Reverend Jones worked for the United States Department of Agriculture in National Resources Conservation prior to his retirement. Dedicated to improvement of the adjoining communities of Auburn and Opelika, Clifford Jones serves on the Auburn School Board and is president of Lee County Interdenominational Ministers Alliance. He has also served as president of Alabama Association of Community Development Associations; he is co-founder and teacher for Montgomery Bible Institute and Theology Center and Communication

OHS 2009-2010 serves on the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lee County, Salvation Army, Lee County Red Cross, and East Alabama Food Bank. Reverend Jones is a charter member of People of Action for Community Enrichment (PACE), and chaplain for the Lee County Sheriff Department. Clifford Jones is married to Lillie M. Jones and he has two children, Clarinda Marie and Clifton Paul; and two grandsons, James Keyshon and Kylin Christopher. Although he is very busy with community projects, Clifford enjoys fishing, golfing, racquetball, classical music and simply helping people. Vocabulary Braggart (noun) someone who boasts Debunk (verb) expose false claims or myths Epitomized (adjective) typified; characterized; personified Hidebound (adjective) rigid in opinions Discussion 1. Why is communication an important skill? 2. How does Rev. Jones communicate love for people in Opelika? We have two ears to hear both sides Noah benshea 31

32 May 3-7, 2010 Dr. Annie Wyatt Dr. Annie Arnold Wyatt was an educator for more than 40 years serving the children of her community as assistant superintendent, director of instruction, and principal for Opelika City Schools prior to her retirement. She also served as a principal, library media specialist and teacher in Russell County. Graduating from Mother Mary Mission High School in Phenix City, Dr. Wyatt received a B.S. degree from Tuskegee University, M.Ed. degree from Georgia State University, and Ed.D. from Auburn University. Wyatt has served area youth as a board member with both the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Lee County and the National Youth Sports Program Board at Auburn University. During her career, she worked with universities as well as the state and federal governments in all aspects of education. Her gift, though, is working with individuals, making each person feel special. She could deal with a five-year-old kicking and screaming and then go consult with an angry parent. She would finish the day making a presentation Patience in a board meeting. Because of her patient personality, principals were comfortable talking to her. Dr. Wyatt is also active in the community. She works with several organizations including the Opelika Chamber of Commerce, the Opelika Historic Preservation Board, and the Foundation Board for the Achievement Center. She devotes much of her time to the programs of her church, Greater Peace Baptist Church. All of her activities have a concern for other people as a common factor. The Girls Scouts recognized Wyatt as a Distinguished Alumnus at Auburn University s Centennial Celebration of the Admission of Women, a Woman of Achievement. She was also one

OHS 2009-2010 of the recipients of the Hometown High Achiever Award in Phenix City in 2001. Dr. Wyatt is the widow of Willie Wyatt and is mother to two sons, Fred and Bryan Primm. Through marriage she has seven children and twenty-two grandchildren. Family is very important to Wyatt so she spends time reading, cooking, vacationing and spending quality time with her children and grandchildren. If she counts you as a friend, says Susan Bruce, your life is a lot better. Vocabulary Languish (verb) decay; fade away; get weaker Polemical (adjective) causing debate or argument Thwart (verb) prevent; frustrate Adamant (adjective) forceful; inflexible Discussion 1. How has patience been an asset to Dr. Wyatt? 2. What are some specific ways you can show patience as an OHS student? Failure is success if we learn from it. Malcolm Forbes 33

May 10-14, 2010 Nancy Parker recorder and a dream. 34 Nancy Parker s affair with New Orleans began when she was about 12 years old. Her parents attended a convention and brought her along. She found the texture of the place mesmerizing. As she and her family left, she remembers looking back longingly at this wonderfully exciting and curious place. She didn t know then that this city would become her home. As a native of Opelika, Alabama, the southern charm of New Orleans was not far from her roots. Her curiosity about life and events made news her automatic calling. She started her broadcast career as a high school senior. She landed a job doing evening drive news at WJHO, a local AM radio station. She juggled school events while covering news in the evenings with a little tape In 1988, she graduated with a major in Journalism from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa where she served on the School of Journalism s Alumni Advisory Board and received several journalism honors, the most recent being recognized as a Distinguished Journalism Professional. Her broadcast aspirations began to unfold. First she was a reporter/photographer at WTVM in Columbus, Georgia; then she went to WSFA TV in Montgomery. Next, she spent six years working at WAFB in Baton Rouge. She was there when Hurricane Andrew decided to pay Louisiana a visit. In 1996 she signed on to WVUE in New Orleans. The same little girl, who was sad to leave New Orleans almost 20 years earlier, put down roots there. The time she has spent there has given her experiences beyond her wildest dreams. She was honored to cover Pope John Paul the II s St. Louis visit in 1999. Traveling to Rome for the canonization of St. Katherine Drexel was also a highlight. In 2006 she was one of only four gulf coast reporters invited to the White House for a one-on-one interview with President George W. Bush on the Katrina Recovery. Self-Respect

OHS 2009-2010 The stories she loves most are the ones packed with emotion, stories that can change lives. When her colleague Bob Breck s wife Paula died, Parker told their story and to increase awareness about the dangers of blood clots. A documentary on the subject later won an Edward R. Murrow Award. A story of descendents of slaves buying the plantation that their ancestors built in St. John Parish, an account of lives coming full circle, won an Emmy Award. years on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters; she has worked with the organization Dress for Success that gives women suits to restart their lives in new employment. She loves working with the Beautiful Foundation, that gives self esteem to young girls, and she gives school talks every opportunity she can. Also, she is committed to the fight against Breast Cancer, and does whatever the local American Cancer Society asks. Her mom Patsy Parker is a 14-year survivor. She enjoys being active in her community. She has served three Vocabulary Brawny (adjective) muscular Equivocate (verb) speak ambiguously; avoid telling the truth Obsession (noun) a dominating concern Ponderous (adjective) weighty; slow and heavy Discussion 1. What are the qualities that make up self-respect 2. How is self-respect related to success? You will never be the person you can be if pressure, tension, and discipline are taken out of your life. James G. Billay 35

36 Notes