Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice

Most everyone knows that I am the father of boys.  I tell folks that God knew that I was not man enough to be the father of a daughter.  That is why I am so blessed to have my school daughters here at Corner Middle School.

Recently, Jefferson County shared this picture from almost 100 years ago of the domestic science class at one of our county schools.  Academic opportunities were limited and athletic organizations were almost non-existent for young ladies in our north Jefferson communities.


I have been here since 1973 as a first grader, and I have had the opportunity to watch opportunities for young ladies change and grow at Corner since the last quarter of the 20th Century.  Over the past several days, I have had the privilege of observing our girls in action and can only smile at the grit, will, and tenacity of these amazing young ladies.

Just in the last ten days our middle school girls have been participating in morning athletic workouts, then gone to track and field camp at Birmingham-Southern College, afternoon volleyball camp with Wallace State Community College, basketball camp at Samford Univeristy, and are at cheer camp at the University of Alabama.  I am so proud of their commitment to excellence, and cannot thank the coaches, parents, and sponsors who have made their participation in these events possible.



More of our ladies have participated in band practice with Mrs. Saunders, are conditioning over the summer for the beginning of dance team practice, and are creating magic in the CHS Theatre Academy's summer production of Aladdin Jr.

Through the course of the year, our girls will take leadership roles in FBLA, Robotics, Debate, Math Team, Science Olympiad, Student Council, and the media team.   They are scholars, artists, athletes, and leaders.

Now as the father of boys, I will tell you that the guys here at CMS are just as committed to excellence and deserve equal accolades.  Our guys are working out on a regular basis, participating in camps, band, and theater, too.

I suppose, however, that in the age of social media outrage and a litany of stories of young women treated inequitably, poorly, and criminally even,  I am proud that our families, school, churches, and community are growing strong, independent, brilliant, talented, kind, and special young women who will be able to withstand whatever the 21st Century throws at them.