Love-Hate Mail

Apt pupilThank you so much for writing the piece about Maplewood High School (“Class Struggle,” April 3). To be honest, I am completely disgusted by how many people are ready to critique all the schools, yet are too lazy or apathetic to actually care. It truly gladdens me that you have taken the time to shine a positive light on one of the worst schools in Tennessee. I now attend Martin Luther King Jr. Magnet School, but I am not foreign to the dirty looks and condescending behavior that is received by students of the less-proficient schools. Last year, I attended McGavock Comprehensive High School as a freshman. That year was a huge experience that I am not likely to forget. I knew that McGavock was not the greatest school in the world before I began to attend. To be honest, I did apply for the magnet school option, but my submitted form was somehow lost. That was quite infuriating, to say the least. So I was given the daunting challenge to go to McGavock. My daily school routine was much like that of the senior mentioned in the article, Tyra Washington. I was doing my best to make a positive out of a negative. I signed up for all honors courses, studied and strove to avoid all students, faculty and outside activities that might prevent me from achieving my goal.

To put it bluntly, McGavock is a really harsh environment. Just like at any other school, there are students who don’t try or don’t care—even at my current school, MLK. I avoided the tyranny of lethargy, somnolence and disconnectedness. Suffice to say, it was a trying time, but it definitely aided me for what I want to do now. I want to major in biology and minor in linguistics.CHELSEA JULIA ANNE CURRYchelseajcurry@yahoo.com (Nashville)

Parental supportI really enjoyed your report on Tyra Washington and the issues that face Maplewood High School (“Class Struggle,” April 3). I sat with my two daughters and read this entire article to them. They are both students of the Maplewood school cluster. My oldest daughter Tieara goes to Maplewood and is a member of the Maplewood marching band. Alysia, my youngest daughter, goes to Jere Baxter Middle School. I read this article with excitement, because I’m Maplewood’s biggest fan. I’m the parent waving the pom-poms as the band marches onto the field. I have volunteered to speak to a class for my project for a Tennessee State University social work class. While reading this article, I laughed, cried and cheered on Tyra, principal Williams, security and the teachers. I can relate to the socioeconomic problems that plague this community. I am also a single parent. It’s tough to try to make ends meet and support your children’s ambitions to participate in school-related activities. The money needed for extracurricular activities isn’t always available. I too am strapped for cash in some instances where money is needed to pay for band trips and school functions. I make it a point to do all I can to support not only my daughter but also the entire school with my presence during football games and assemblies and by providing transportation for band students needing a ride home after the games. I commend Tyra for working to support herself and you, Ms. Ulrich, for bringing to the surface the positive accomplishments of Maplewood’s students. I enrolled in the TSU social work program in the fall of 2004, and for the last four semesters, I have maintained a 3.0 GPA. I strive to get my master’s degree so I can be a social worker at Maplewood High School. The students are great, the love is there, and you can see the pride on each of their students’ faces. GO PANTHERS!TRACEY FALLStraceyfalls@aol.com (Nashville)

Kiss and make upI want to apologize to Mayor Bill Purcell for my comments featured in last week’s edition (“Kissing Karl Dean,” April 3). Throughout his administration, I was typically in wholehearted agreement with Mayor Purcell’s policies, initiatives and management style. My recent remarks addressed only the occasional differences, leaving the wrong impression with your readers. I was an idiot not to make this clear in my commentary.

For the record, the Purcell administration—ably assisted by staff members Ivanetta Davis-Samuels, Jane Alvis, Eddie Davidson and many others—was one of our city’s shining moments. I was grateful to call Bill Purcell our mayor, our neighbor and my friend.MIKE JAMESONmike.jameson@nashville.gov (Nashville)