SHS offers lessons in achievement
Congratulations to Principal Windsor Eagle and the faculty, staff and students of Salisbury High School for winning the Exemplary School Award from the N.C. Athletic Association. Itís also remarkable that in 2009 U.S. News and World Report honored SHS with a bronze medal for being one of the top high schools in America.
There are two important lessons here. First, great success is possible during times of significant challenges from the economy and changing demographics. Second, although many contributed to this accomplishment, sustained visionary leadership is one key to long term, meaningful change. We have a strong public school system in Rowan County, and I am happy that one success story has been highlighted.
ó Jim Stringfield
Salisbury
Stringfield is dean of the Goodman School of Education at Catawba College.
Anti-smoking effort yields benefits
Gripping and sad commercials featuring a young father who died of lung cancer or a teenager mourning a father who died of the same disease air during television programs favored by teenagers. Youth go into health classes and use their peer-to-peer education to encourage youth to ěbe TRU, stay TRU, live TRU.î
People still smoke cigarettes, but some people have realized it is bad, and theyíre slowly getting the message to quit. The Health and Wellness Trust Fund ó the organization that pays for the ads, the student outreach and other health programs ó is facing extinction. The N.C. House has voted to end the trust fund, which receives its money from the stateís share of the national tobacco settlement.
Anyway you look at it, this is a cut to preventive health. People are anxious, theyíre worried, theyíre upset. They canít believe the state is working against its citizens.
Trust fund supporters are trying to save it. Theyíre collecting signatures and are writing to legislators and Gov. Bev Perdue. Students who are members of TRU (Tobacco. Reality. Unfiltered.) groups, supported by trust fund money to teach other students about smokingís dangers, hope to persuade legislators that anti-smoking programs are worthwhile.
Please contact Governor Perdue at 800-662-7952 or your state senator to advocate to continue this program.
ó Brenda Greene
Mt. Ulla
Poker run benefit was appreciated
Iíd like to thank every person who participated in the poker run benefit held for the family of the late Richard ěRickî Lee Martin at Alleyís Restaurant in China Grove on April 30.
It was absolutely awesome. Kevin and Keith Alley worked hard and long hours to put this together, and the motorcycle riders were so kind and thoughtful. It was my pleasure to meet so many kind and giving people.
My thanks to everyone involved, and may God bless each one of you.
ó Betty L. Martin
China Grove