Love-Hate Mail
Apt pupil
Thank
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 CURRY
chelseajcurry@yahoo.com (Nashville)
Parental support
I
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 FALLS
traceyfalls@aol.com (Nashville)
Kiss and make up
I
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 JAMESON
mike.jameson@nashville.gov (Nashville)
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