July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Graduation decision was right (04/26/08)
Letters to the Editor
To the editor:
Isn't it interesting what brings out the passion in people? Sometimes when people become passionate about something, they lose sight of "the issue." I know this because I have done it.
Right now there seems to be an issue at the high school which has people fired-up.
The issue is the 2008 commencement ceremony at JCHS and what should be appropriate attire.
I have been reading the letters in The Commercial Review. And I wonder how this has impacted the end of the year at JCHS. It seems to me that this has been a good year at JCHS and I am saddened to watch it end on such a sour note.
Having taught there for some time and having taught mainly seniors, I know what this time of year is like, and it is no time to be caught up in a controversy over commencement. It is not good for anyone.
It appears that there are those who feel that the issue is "patriotism." And they seem to be questioning the patriotism of Mr. Jeremy Gulley, the principal of JCHS.
First of all, how do you measure a person's patriotism? Even though I feel that I am pretty patriotic, I do not know how to judge that in another person.
Do I judge it by whether or not they place their hand over their heart during the National Anthem? What is the litmus test?
Secondly, I find questioning the patriotism of Mr. Gulley almost ludicrous.
I taught with Mr. Gulley in the social studies department and was still teaching there when he returned to be the Dean of Students. Although I would not say that I know him well, I certainly feel confident about his love for this country. He shows it in a myriad of ways.
One of the major ones being the service he did for his country when he was stationed in Bosnia.
It is because of his military service that I respect his decision and I agree with it.
For several years I co-sponsored the senior class with Dwight Michael, and we were in charge of commencement under the watchful eye of the principal. The principal at that time was a man named Jim Elbert.
Jim was passionate about commencement. I can remember how he would go over and over the names of the seniors so that he would not make an error in the pronunciation of their names.
If he questioned how to pronounce it, he would call the student and make sure he had it right. I can remember at the senior picnic, he would still go around to students and ask them if he was saying it correctly.
But most importantly, I remember his final instructions to the seniors at commencement practice.
He would tell them that their commencement ceremony would be the last time that that particular graduating class would be together as a class. Therefore, it was not a time for one individual or group of individuals to single themselves out from the rest of the class.
He would tell them to stay together as a class and to act with class. We worked very hard to make sure that that happened.
And that is what Mr. Gulley and corporation leaders are trying to insure for the 2008 commencement.
To participate in commencement, it has always been required that each senior wear a cap and gown.
I have never been to another high school or college commencement ceremony that allowed seniors to participate in something other than a cap and gown. It is a formal ceremony that recognizes a group of people for their academic success.
Please do not make it about the courageous decision of three of our young people to join the military.
Make it about the 255 graduating seniors who come from all parts of the county, who have achieved a variety of successes, and who are about to start new chapters in their lives.
They are the 2008 graduating class of Jay County High School. Please honor all of them.
One more thought, I hope those who are so passionate about this issue are equally passionate about education in Jay County.
Jane E. Switzer
Redkey
Great instruction
To the editor:
On Friday, April 18, Asbury United Methodist Church sponsored the Maximum Impact Direction in Leadership Conference. Ron Freeman and Barry Hudson organized this conference.
This was a simulcast program that featured several nationally known speakers, including John C. Maxwell and Dick Vitale.
This was one of the most incredible and beneficial conferences I have ever attended in my career.
Many of these speakers consult with Fortune 500 companies and the ideas presented were very applicable to most businesses. I came away from the conference refreshed, enthused and ready to implement some of the points made in the conference.
The only downsize was the attendance.
I can only hope that Ron Freeman, Barry Hudson and Asbury UMC are willing to put this on again next year and that the community will support this event by attending. You can not get this kind of instruction for $35 anywhere - let alone so close to home.
I would personally encourage anyone in business to attend this conference in the future.
Scott Bollenbacher, CPA
Portland[[In-content Ad]]
Isn't it interesting what brings out the passion in people? Sometimes when people become passionate about something, they lose sight of "the issue." I know this because I have done it.
Right now there seems to be an issue at the high school which has people fired-up.
The issue is the 2008 commencement ceremony at JCHS and what should be appropriate attire.
I have been reading the letters in The Commercial Review. And I wonder how this has impacted the end of the year at JCHS. It seems to me that this has been a good year at JCHS and I am saddened to watch it end on such a sour note.
Having taught there for some time and having taught mainly seniors, I know what this time of year is like, and it is no time to be caught up in a controversy over commencement. It is not good for anyone.
It appears that there are those who feel that the issue is "patriotism." And they seem to be questioning the patriotism of Mr. Jeremy Gulley, the principal of JCHS.
First of all, how do you measure a person's patriotism? Even though I feel that I am pretty patriotic, I do not know how to judge that in another person.
Do I judge it by whether or not they place their hand over their heart during the National Anthem? What is the litmus test?
Secondly, I find questioning the patriotism of Mr. Gulley almost ludicrous.
I taught with Mr. Gulley in the social studies department and was still teaching there when he returned to be the Dean of Students. Although I would not say that I know him well, I certainly feel confident about his love for this country. He shows it in a myriad of ways.
One of the major ones being the service he did for his country when he was stationed in Bosnia.
It is because of his military service that I respect his decision and I agree with it.
For several years I co-sponsored the senior class with Dwight Michael, and we were in charge of commencement under the watchful eye of the principal. The principal at that time was a man named Jim Elbert.
Jim was passionate about commencement. I can remember how he would go over and over the names of the seniors so that he would not make an error in the pronunciation of their names.
If he questioned how to pronounce it, he would call the student and make sure he had it right. I can remember at the senior picnic, he would still go around to students and ask them if he was saying it correctly.
But most importantly, I remember his final instructions to the seniors at commencement practice.
He would tell them that their commencement ceremony would be the last time that that particular graduating class would be together as a class. Therefore, it was not a time for one individual or group of individuals to single themselves out from the rest of the class.
He would tell them to stay together as a class and to act with class. We worked very hard to make sure that that happened.
And that is what Mr. Gulley and corporation leaders are trying to insure for the 2008 commencement.
To participate in commencement, it has always been required that each senior wear a cap and gown.
I have never been to another high school or college commencement ceremony that allowed seniors to participate in something other than a cap and gown. It is a formal ceremony that recognizes a group of people for their academic success.
Please do not make it about the courageous decision of three of our young people to join the military.
Make it about the 255 graduating seniors who come from all parts of the county, who have achieved a variety of successes, and who are about to start new chapters in their lives.
They are the 2008 graduating class of Jay County High School. Please honor all of them.
One more thought, I hope those who are so passionate about this issue are equally passionate about education in Jay County.
Jane E. Switzer
Redkey
Great instruction
To the editor:
On Friday, April 18, Asbury United Methodist Church sponsored the Maximum Impact Direction in Leadership Conference. Ron Freeman and Barry Hudson organized this conference.
This was a simulcast program that featured several nationally known speakers, including John C. Maxwell and Dick Vitale.
This was one of the most incredible and beneficial conferences I have ever attended in my career.
Many of these speakers consult with Fortune 500 companies and the ideas presented were very applicable to most businesses. I came away from the conference refreshed, enthused and ready to implement some of the points made in the conference.
The only downsize was the attendance.
I can only hope that Ron Freeman, Barry Hudson and Asbury UMC are willing to put this on again next year and that the community will support this event by attending. You can not get this kind of instruction for $35 anywhere - let alone so close to home.
I would personally encourage anyone in business to attend this conference in the future.
Scott Bollenbacher, CPA
Portland[[In-content Ad]]
Top Stories
9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit
Chartwells marketing
September 17, 2024 7:36 a.m.
Events
August
To Submit an Event Sign in first
Today's Events
No calendar events have been scheduled for today.
250 X 250 AD