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May 19
Let me at the
outset say how deeply I appreciate the generous people of
Tallapoosa and Haralson County that helped us raise over $7,000 for the Leukemia
and Lymphoma Society on May 10th at Holcombe's Foodland. My special thanks to
the Holcombe Family and to Randy Patterson and the leadership class at Haralson
County High School. I also have deep gratitude to Red Jones and the marvelous
staff of WKNG for the help in promoting the cause. I was also happy to see Amy
Lavender the editor of the Tallapoosa Journal and I am grateful for her support
and for giving me the opportunity of being on these pages each week. You still
can make a donation with a check made payable to the Leukemia and Lymphoma
Society and mail it to me at P.O. Box 1001,Tallapoosa, Georgia, 30176.
The week ahead is a big one for me. My oldest daughter Presley will graduate
from kindergarten at Sewell Mill Christian School in Cobb County. I am to quite
excited about it. I think back to when I gradated from Mrs. Matthew's
kindergarten on West Mill Street light years ago. It was exciting to think about
going into the first grade and into Mrs. Downey's class. In 1991 I was honored
to have given the commencement speech 20 years to the day that I graduated from
Southern Union State Community College. I keep telling Presley and little sister
Callie the importance of paying attention to their teachers and to do the best
they can in school.Â
If I could give a commencement address to a kindergarten class it would go
something like this.
It is important to remember and appreciate the teachers you have had in pre
school and in kindergarten. They had to work hard to teach you about letters,
numbers, shapes, and respecting the feelings of other people. It is nice to be
nice.
It is good to say things to encourage others. Always do your best at whatever
you have to do in school. All that stuff grown ups say about eating your
vegetables is true. A Pop Tart is not as good for you as green beans. Macaroni
and cheese from a box isn't as good as that your mom makes from scratch. Soy
milk is an acquired taste. Too much candy and ice cream makes you feel bad.
Happy Meals are special treats and not for consumption everyday. Mom and dad
work hard so it is important for you to pick up your clothes from off the floor
and into the hamper and to put your dirty dishes in the sink. Clean your room.
Learn everything you can about computers but make sure your mom and dad
supervise the web sites you visit. A favorite around here is Playhouse
Disney.com. Chuck E. Cheese's is Las Vegas for kids under seven. Remember that
you really won't find too many genuine role models in the world of sports,
politics and entertainment. You should work at being a role model and not
following a phony one. Paris Hilton and Britney Spears will one day have to
learn the concept of responsibility. It is never too early or too late to start
learning it. Please remember Hanna Montana is a character on a television show
and that you don't have to have every item in the store with her picture on it.
Your goal in life should not to have a photo spread in Vogue Magazine. Your goal
in life should be to get as much education as you can and to pay attention to
the world around you. The best role models in my life were my mother,
grandmother, and the teachers I had in school. Respect the rights of others.
Stay away from drugs and alcohol. Don't talk to strangers. Be nice to kids
younger and smaller than you and remember being a bully is never a cool thing.
Don't call people names. Try not to judge a person just because they are
different from you. Remember we are all God's children and the concept of loving
your neighbor as yourself is a really good one. Turn off the TV and pick up a
book. Ask your parents permission before you do anything. Don't touch the stove.
Be extra nice to elderly people. If you are lucky you might get to be one
someday. War isn't good but sometimes it is necessary. There are evil people in
the world. Stay away from mean people. Â Get plenty of sleep and go to bed when
your parents say it is time to. Â Look both ways before crossing the street.
Always say "please" and "thank you". Not everyone will like you. Treasure your
true friends. When you see anyone in uniform be it a police officer, an EMT or a
soldier tell them they are doing a great job and that you appreciate them.
Doctors,nurses, preachers and bankers have important jobs but so do plumbers,
sanitation workers, road construction workers and postal employees. In
conclusion I want you to remember that there is nothing more honorable than
always telling the truth.
Rhubarb Jones is a Tallapoosa native and a member of the Georgia Radio Hall of
Fame and the Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame. Comments are welcome via
email at
Rhubarbjones@aol.com or at P.O. Box 1001, Tallapoosa, Ga. 30176.
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