News and Views

April 2004

       Well folks, we are in to the home stretch.  The students and staff have all been smitten with spring fever, the seniors have begun counting the days until graduation and believe it or not, we are beginning plans for the next school year.  Most of this issue of News and Views will be devoted to our graduates.  Before we begin, I would like to hand out a couple of that-a-boy/that-a-girls.

       The first goes to Mr. Joe Lozano, and the vocational faculty, for a wonderful article that was published in “Howe’s Now”, a national publication of the Council of Schools for the Blind.  The article outlines the fine job our school is doing in providing vocational readiness for the students we serve.  The length of the article precluded reprinting here, but it can be found on our website in the News page at www.tsb.k12tn.net.

BOY SCOUT TROOP #47

       Thanks to some hard work on the part of several of our staff and the cooperation of the Middle Tennessee Boy Scout Council, Boy Scout Troup #47 has been established on our campus.  For some of us old hands who remember TSB  scout troop #48, that number is presently in use by another troop.  A special thanks to Mrs. Suzanne Rutledge for being our contact person (AKA Scout Mama), to Mr. Sanford for working out the logistics, to Mr. James Brown and Mr. Raymond Jones for being assistant Scout Masters and to Mr. David Williams for volunteering to be our Scout Master and especially Rick Starr of the Middle Tennessee Boy Scout Counsel.

       On Thursday, April 1^st, at 6:00 p.m. in the school’s Auditorium there was a Court of Honors to induct our fourteen new Scouts.  I know the boys appreciated all who supported them by their attendance.  On Friday, prior to the induction ceremony Ms. Sue Alban hosted a Sewing Bee in the Home Econ. Cottage to attach patches so that the guys would have their uniforms ready for inspection at the Court of Honor.  Special congratulations are extended to the charter members of TSB Troop #47:  Jonathan Johnson, Derek Neach, Nathan Walden, Dustey Beasley, Joe Wells, Josh Hodge, Dwaine Jones, Jeffery Springfield, Josh Hill, Dustin Johnson, Ronnie Palmer, Timothy Graybeal, Joshua Keener, Nathan Baker.

UPCOMING MUSICAL PROGRAMS

       Talent Show Auditions

April 13, 14, 15, after school (3:15 p.m.) and 4^th period for day students who cannot arrange to

stay after school

ELEMENTARY TALENT SHOW

April 22, 12:30 p.m. (Thursday)

SPRING CONCERT

April 27, 12:30 p.m. (Tuesday)

HIGH SCHOOL TALENT SHOW

May 6, 6:30 p.m. (Thursday)

RECITAL

(private piano, voice and instrumental students)

May 20, 12:30 p.m. (Thursday)

END OF YEAR BAND and CHORUS CONCERT

May 27, 6:30 p.m. (Thursday)

NOTE:

       The “TSB Honors Choral Ensemble” is a select group of twenty talented TSB vocalists.  On April 9^th, these students were involved in a two-and-a-half hour recording session, singing many of their favorite, frequently performed songs, to be placed on a compact disc, which we hope will be available in the near future.

SALUTE TO SENIORS:

A few days ago I had the privilege of sitting down with our graduating Seniors to gather a little information regarding their plans, aspirations and to ask each for a quote or motto that they would like to share with you.  Our Seniors hale from across Tennessee literally from Memphis to Sevierville.  Of the ten Seniors this year, three are graduating with honors.  Of the ten Juniors and Seniors who recently took the ACT.  Our average score was 19.8.  Considering the wide variety of students we serve that is an impressive figure.  Enough from me, Let’s hear from our 2004 Graduates.

Scott Bell is from Smyrna, Tennessee.  He plans to attend the Tennessee Rehabilitation Center.  At this point, he is undecided as to his career. Scott said that no quotes came to mind but that “I’ll come back and visit you.”

Scottie, we look forward to your visits.

Danielle Francis (AKA Danie) is from Greenbrier, Tennessee. She plans to enter MTSU this fall and study Religion, Philosophy and History.  After college she would like to travel and gain knowledge of different societies.  Danie’s quote was “The difference between a immoral man and a man of honor is that the latter regrets a discreditable act even when it has worked.”

 Boy! Was that deep!

Michael Griggs  is from Gallatin, Tennessee.  He plans to attend Tennessee Tech. or VC Tech.  Michael plans to make a career out of his hobby by going into the field of custom auto body fabrication.  Michael’s quote is “To be old and wise you must first be young and stupid”. 

If anyone out there knows what custom auto body fabrication means, can you please tell me.  Apparently I have gotten to the old part, but haven’t made it to the wise part yet.

Ronny Hodge is from Nashville, Tennessee.  He, like Scott, plans to attend the Tennessee Rehabilitation Center following graduation.  Ronny plans to enter the ministry and pursue his talents as a gospel singer.  Ronny’s wish to us all is to “Have a good life”.

For those of us that have had the pleasure of hearing Ronny sing, we know he will be successful at his calling.

Erica (Tremaine) Johnson is from Memphis, Tennessee.  She plans to enter M.T.S.U. and major in Spanish Language and English Literature.  Her life goal is to be an Interpreter.  Her saying is (Folks, I do not make these up) “That’s not Ham”.

Tremaine is a charming young lady, and we know she will do well.  I have absolutely no idea what her quote means.

Phillip (Terrell) Jones is from Whitehouse, Tennessee.  Terrell plans to attend Tennessee Rehabilitation Center and then to continue his studies at the Tennessee Technology Center.  He has not yet established what he wants to do, but he wants to work in the general area of adaptive technologies.  Terrell’s quote is “Enjoy life and live it to the fullest”.

We have known Terrell and his family for a long time, and wish them all the best.

Lori McLerran is from Celina, Tennessee.   Lori is the class Valedictorian.  She plans to attend Tennessee Technological University and major in Spanish, with a minor in English.  She would like to be an Interpreter, and an Author.  Lori’s quote is “Important things get lost, people vanish, but friendships remain forever”.

Though Lori has been with us only one year, she has made many friends at TSB.

Robbie Mogan is from historic Franklin, Tennessee.  Robbie plans to pursue a career as a recording artist.  His quote is “Love is a flower, you have got to let it grow”.

The recording industry is a rough business to break into, but with Robbie’s personality, dedication and talent we know that he will make it.

Tricia Romano hails from Sevierville, Tennessee.   She is the  class Salutatorian.  Next fall she plans to enter Middle Tennessee State University, and major in Psychology.  Her long-term plans are to become a Psychologist.  Her quote is “Hakuna matata”

They told me what it means, and it really isn’t bad.

We are all very proud of Tricia and know she is going to be very successful.

Zachary (Zack) Winton is from Murfreesboro, Tennessee.  After graduation he plans to enter Tennessee Technological University, and major in Mass Communications.  He plans to further develop his career plans while attending college. His quote is “Don’t ever get locked in a closet”. 

Note from Mr. “O”. You know you have been in this business along time when the children of your former students are graduating.

The Class of 2004 will long be remembered for their wit, artistic talents, school spirit, and good citizenship.  These students have over come tremendous challenges to reach this point in their lives.  In our eyes all members of this class are already success stories.  As they prepare to leave TSB, we wish each of them tremendous success in their pursuits and happiness in their daily lives.  We also wish to congratulate the families of our graduates for the support and love they have given so freely to these students.  My quote “Strong foundations build lasting homes”.

NOTE:  On behalf of the Graduating Seniors, the staff and faculty of the Tennessee School for the Blind, we cordially invite you to attend our Commencement Exercises on May 28, 2004, at 10:00 a.m. in the school’s Auditorium.

2004 Seniors.  (Joe Gregory, Sponsor, is in photo.

Scott Bell, student, is not.)

Calendar Review: There are several VERY important dates, including bussing Mondays