a city of character
TRANSCRIPT
Opelika:A City of
Character
Character Education ProgramOpelika High School
Opelika, Alabama
2009-2010
Opelika:A City of
Character
1st Term2009-2010
Special thanks to Opelika Observer, D. Mark Mitchell, Opelika-Auburn News, Kate Larkin, Envision Opelika,
East Alabama Living, Dr. Charlie Hannah, and the fine people of Opelika, Alabama.
Opelika High School1700 Lafayette ParkwayOpelika, Alabama 36801
334-745-9715
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tDr. Patsy Boyd Parker has dedicated her life to students across the state of Alabama. An education consultant and retired school counselor, Dr. Parker has shown tireless commitment to providing young people with opportunities to excel academically and live fulfilled lives.
Dr. Parker provided 27 years of devoted service to the Alabama State University Board of Trustees. She was first appointed to the board in 1981 by the late Alabama governor George Wallace and served until 1996. Dr. Parker then received her second appointment by former governor Fob James, Jr. and served from 1996 to 2007. During her tenure, Dr. Parker served as vice chairwoman, and she holds
the distinction of being the first chairwoman of the board.
Dr. Parker was recently honored by ASU when she acted as the university’s commencement speaker in May 2007. During her address at the university’s 275th commencement exercise, Dr. Parker advised graduates to meet the challenges of the time and make the most of what they have. She also encouraged them to achieve greatness and leave their own footprints in the sand. The university further recognized Mrs. Parker by presenting her with an honorary doctorate of humane letters.
ASU President Joe A. Lee and the Board of Trustees bestowed this honor upon Mrs. Parker as recognition and admiration of her many years of service to the university. Dr. Parker, who graduated as class valedictorian from Alabama State University in 1961, earned her master’s degree in counselor education from Auburn University in 1970. While at Auburn, she was instrumental in organizing the university’s first black sorority, Delta Sigma Theta. She and her husband William live in Opelika, Alabama, where she serves as board member for Opelika
August 10-14, 2009
Patsy Boyd Parker
OHS 2009-2010
VocabularyAbhor (verb)—hate
Bigot (noun)—narrow-minded, prejudiced person
Counterfeit (adjective)—fake; false
DiscussionGive a definition of 1. commitment in your own words.
Write the best definition of 2. commitment that your class or group has developed.
How does the information about Dr. Parker fit the definition you 3. have in #2?
“What you see in others has more to do with who you are than who other people are.”
—Epictetus
City Schools. She also serves as a member of the Auburn’s National
Advisory Council.§
August 17-21, 2009
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Rick Hagans
Rick Hagans, the Founder and President of Harvest Evangelism, has been preaching since age nine when he felt the Lord call him to go preach to some homeless hippies he saw on the evening news. He ran away from home to go preach, but was caught by the police as he tried to hop a freight train he thought would take him to the “city”. The police, his parents, a pastor and even a psychologist called in on the case convinced Hagans not to leave home at only 9 years of age. He did however begin to preach around his community earning him the nickname of “Preacher Boy”. Many elderly people in the Auburn-Opelika, Alabama area call him that to this day (even though he is now 50 years old).
Years later, Hagans was able to proclaim from the pulpit of the Times Square Church in the heart of New York City, that “God is true to His call, and finally, after 30 years...I finished my trip. I am preaching in the city, just like He called me!” Today Hagans continues to preach at Times Square Church several times a year.
God didn’t just “call him to the city” but also continues to use him there. Pastor David Wilkerson introduced Hagans with this statement; “God has placed His own heart of love for people within Rick Hagans. He is a man of vision.”
Preaching for all these years has brought Hagans a lot of experience. He has preached in over 300 different churches, in 27 states and in 10 different countries. Even as a “charismatic Christian” much of Hagans’ work remains in main-line denominational churches. Rick is an ordained Baptist Minister, and he believes one of God’s purposes in his work is to let the various denominational ministers he works with know not all Spirit-filled ministers are the stereotypical “weird, decisive, rebellious” type so many traditional pastors fear. Hagans’ preaching calendar stays filled with revivals in 15-20 mainline churches every year, many as repeat engagements.
Hagans continues to do much of his ministry work outside the four walls of the church. Every year he joins with another group in New Orleans to preach on the streets of Mardi Gras. He has helped found several churches and an orphanage in Reynosa, Mexico where he takes 800-1000 people on short term mission trips every year. He also tries to go to India yearly,
OHS 2009-2010
VocabularyEnfranchise (verb)—give voting rights
Hamper (verb)—hinder; obstruct
Kindle (verb)—to start a fire
Noxious (adjective)—harmful; poisonous; lethal
DiscussionHow does the information about Hagans fit the definition you have in 1. #2 from last week’s lesson?
List two examples of commitment Hagans and Dr. Parker have in 2. common.
“You can find on the outside o nly what you possess on the inside.”
—Adolpho Montiel Ballesteros
where he ministers to hundreds of native missionaries and was the guest evangelist at the largest church in Southern India, Madras’ Apostolic Pentecostal Fellowship.
Hagans is involved with various types of street ministry through the efforts of Harvest Evangelism from national outreaches such as the one to Mardi Gras and regular state and local outreaches. Hagans’ work has
received official commendations from the Governor of his state and the Mayor of his city. Another interesting side-light to Hagans’ ministry has been acclaimed by other ministers including world-renown ministers such as David Wilkerson and David Jeremiah, both of whom have included testimonies involving Hagans in recent books they’ve written.§
August 24-28, 2009
Leadership
Will Herring
As a four-year starter at safety and linebacker for Auburn University, Will Herring is more than familiar with his football playbook. One Friday morning, he walked into an Opelika classroom with the playbook for his personal life — the Bible. Herring spoke before a class of OHS Fellowship of Christian Athletes students on everything from faith to family.
“We all have gifts to offer,” Herring said. “I’m not talking about athletic or academic gifts, but how we each give back spiritually in the way we live our daily lives.”
Herring, 25, said his parents instilled that lesson in him at an early age.
“I was fortunate enough to be raised in a Christian home where morals and values were taught and a solid work ethic was stressed,” said Herring, an Opelika native and former OHS star. That hard work has translated into success on the field for Herring,
who recently wrapped up his second year as a linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks. Herring now lives in Seattle and is part of a Seahawks roster laden with former AU Tigers, including Chris Gray, Kevin Hobbs, Ben Obomanu and Courtney Taylor.
While there are some larger life lessons football has taught Herring, it’s some of the smaller ones that tend to stick out in his mind. “Just because a coach yells at you, it doesn’t mean he doesn’t like you,” joked Herring, as he glanced over at former OHS football coach Spence McCracken.
McCracken described Herring’s visit to the school as “awesome.” “It’s great to see students that you’ve coached play in the NFL,” McCracken said. “Will’s a real special kid, and more importantly than his football play, is a great character example for young people. In this day and time, positive role models for our kids to look up to are so important.”
OHS 2009-2010
VocabularyPlacid (adjective)—calm; peaceful
Remuneration (noun)—payment for work done
Talisman (noun)—lucky charm
Abrasive (adjective)—rough; coarse; harsh
DiscussionHow has leadership played a role in Herring’s life?1.
Explain how Herring has learned leadership skills.2.
List three traits of leadership that you see in Herring’s life.3.
“He who has a ‘why’ to live for can bear almost any ‘how.’”
—Nietzsche
Herring also puts on a free annual summer football camp, which former AU football player Tommie Jackson has helped with in the past.
“Sometimes, folks will leave the area and forget where they came from,” McCracken said. “Will hasn’t forgotten.”§
Fair
ness
The new Opelika Sports Complex is named after Yetta G. Samford, Jr., to reflect not only his lifelong dedication to his hometown but also his status one of Alabama’s most outstanding leaders. The new sports complex is called Mary and Yetta Samford Park.
Born in 1923, Samford inherited not only an unusual name from his father but a family legacy in the legal profession from both sides of his family. His mother’s father was Judge Denson in Lafayette, who was on the Alabama Supreme Court, while on the Samford side of the family his great-grandfather served as governor. Several uncles were also attorneys and judges.
Leadership was revealed at an early age. At Clift High School (now Opelika High School), he was president of the senior class and on the debate team that attended national finals.
While at Auburn University as a pre-law student, Samford was elected to Squires, and honorary service organization composed of outstanding sophomores.
After spent time in the Air Corps of the US Army piloting B-17s, Samford graduated from Auburn University and entered the University of Alabama School of
Law where he was inducted into Quadrangle honoraries.
Samford knew at an early age that he wanted to go into the law profession. While he always assumed he would be an attorney, he sought other life experiences.
In 1958 he was elected president of Kiwanis and to the State Senate, serving from 1959 until 1961.
Education was important to Samford. Locally, he served on the Opelika Board of Education as chairman.
In the state, he served as a trustee and chairman of the board at the University of Alabama and was also a founding member and chairman of the trustees for the University of Mobile. Other service included chairman of the State Board of Corrections and a director of the Alabama State Chamber of Commerce, West Point Manufacturing Company, Farmer’s
August 31-September 4, 2009
Yetta G. Samford
OHS 2009-2010
VocabularyBilk (verb)—cheat; defraud
Covert (adjective)—hidden; undercover
Engender (verb)—cause
Knotty (adjective)—complex; difficult to solve
DiscussionWhy is fairness an appropriate trait to associate with Yetta G. Samford?1.
What are the problems that keep life from being fair?2.
Explain how one problem you mentioned in #2 could be resolved.3.
“It is a wise man who said that there is no greater inequality than the equal treatment of unequals”
—Felix Frankfurter
National Bank, Liberty National Life Insurance, among other boards locally and statewide.
Judge John Denson tells us “Yetta has devoted a huge amount of time and effort to the benefit of many individuals, his community, his state and country.” Judge Denson adds, “There are so many adjectives to describe him, but to sum it up, he is
simply the finest person I have ever know.”
Always a southern gentleman, Samford humbly insists he could not repay what Opelika has given him. Samford’s sense of integrity, character and his love of family have been the guiding principles of his life.§
September 8-11, 2009
Self C
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T.J. Jackson
As a standout defensive tackle at Opelika High School and Auburn University, T.J. Jackson routinely beat the blocks of opposing offensive linemen.
But the one thing Jackson, 25, never cut corners on was his education, which was the message he shared with student-athletes at OHS as part of the National Guard Speakers’ Program.
“These students need to be thinking about what they’re going to do after high school and whatever that is, the National Guard can be a great vehicle for that,” said Jackson, who currently plays for the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs.
Jackson, an Opelika native, earned his public administrations degree in three years at Auburn University, an academic accomplishment he’s
proud of.
“You have to remember whatever sport you play, you can only use your body for so long, but an education is something no one can ever take away from you,” said Jackson, who currently resides in Kansas City.
That point was something Jackson said his mother, Virginia, impressed upon him and his sisters, Candice and Ashli, at an early age.
Jackson’s mother spent six years in the National Guard and another 14 in the Army Reserve before recently retiring from BF Goodrich after 25 years.
Jackson was undrafted out of college and spent time with the Atlanta Falcons before signing a contract with the Kansas City Chiefs.
While he enjoys playing on Sundays,
OHS 2009-2010
VocabularyNuance (noun)—something subtle; a fine shade of meaning
Plagiarism (noun)—taking credit for someone else’s writing or ideas
Renown (noun)—fame
DiscussionList two reasons self-control is a valuable trait.1.
Give three benefits Jackson has received from self-control.2.
“The still small voice within you must always be the final arbiter when there is a conflict of duty.”
—Mohandas K. Gandhi
football is something Jackson keeps in perspective.
“Football is a platform for me to not only play, but to serve God through
my positive actions off the field,” Jackson said. “This about much more than getting a paycheck to play football. It’s about doing the right thing.”§
September 14-18, 2009
Ho
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William James SamfordWilliam James Samford was born September 16, 1844, in Greenville, Georgia. Prior to 1850 he moved with his parents, William F. and Susan, to Auburn, Alabama, where he attended private schools, including one year at East Alabama College (now Auburn University). As a youth Samford worked as a printer and typesetter in his father’s Tuskegee newspaper office. He also attended the University of Georgia briefly but left the school in 1862 to join the Confederate army.
Samford served in the 46th Alabama Infantry Regiment and fought in campaigns in Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi. In May 1863 he was captured at the battle of Baker’s Creek in Mississippi and imprisoned at Johnson’s Island, Lake Erie, for eighteen months. Lieutenant Samford was released in 1864 and returned to his regiment until the war ended.
After the war Samford returned to Auburn and began growing cotton. He married Caroline Elizabeth Drake in October 1865. They had nine children. In 1867 he was admitted to the bar and opened a law practice in Opelika.
A deeply religious man, Samford was also a licensed minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He was a member of the board of stewards, served several times as a
delegate to the Alabama Annual Conference in 1890, and was a delegate to the general conference of the Methodist Ecumenical Conference in London, England, in 1901 but could not attend due to ill health.
Samford’s political career began in 1872 when he served as an alderman in Opelika. Also in 1872 he was a delegate to the state Democratic convention and an alternate elector on the Horace Greeley ticket. He assisted with the gubernatorial campaign of George S. Houston in 1874. The following year Samford was a member of the constitutional convention and a presidential elector in 1876. From 1879 until 1881 he represented the state in the U.S. Congress. Samford represented Lee County in the state legislature from 1882 until 1896, including two years as president of the senate. He was appointed to the University of Alabama Board of Trustees in 1896.
OHS 2009-2010
VocabularyTangent (noun)—an idea away from the main subject
Abasement (noun)—humiliation; degradation
Billow (verb)—swell; flutter; wave
Cower (verb)—recoil in fear or servility; shrink away from
DiscussionDefine honesty as it applies to the life of William James Samford.1.
Define honesty as it applies to your life.2.
“Integrity simply means a willingness not to violate an identity.”
—Erich Fromm
In 1900 Samford was elected governor of the state of Alabama but held the office for only six months. He died in Tuscaloosa on June 11, 1901, while attending a university board of trustees meeting. Two major events occurred during his short time
as governor. First and foremost was the 1901 Constitutional Convention which produced the state’s present constitution. Samford’s other accomplishment was the creation of the Alabama Department of Archives and History. §
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ipBilly Hitchcock of Opelika— known as a gentleman, recognized as an athlete and coach, and honored for his dedication to sports and young people—had a baseball career that spanned over four decades.
A former Auburn University football and baseball standout, Hitchcock led Auburn to its first football bowl game and its first Southeastern Conference baseball title in 1937. Hitchcock then led AU to the Bacardi Bowl in Havana, Cuba, on Jan. 1, 1937, where he scored AU’s only touchdown, a 40-yard run, in a 7-7 tie against Villanova. As captain and shortstop on the baseball team, “Mr. Billy,” as he was known, lettered in 1936 and 1937 while leading the Tigers to their first conference baseball title as a senior.
In June 1938, Hitchcock signed a contract to play baseball for the New York Yankees. From 1939 to 1941,
he played with the Kansas City Blues American Association. He coached football and basketball at Opelika High School in 1940-41, before returning to baseball with the Detroit Tigers in 1942.
Hitchcock spent over forty years in professional baseball as a player, manager, scout, coach and minor league executive. Between 1942 and 1953, he was an infielder with five major league clubs—the Detroit Tigers, Washington Senators, St. Louis Browns, Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Athletics.
Following his major league career, Hitchcock served a big league manager with the Tigers, Baltimore Orioles and Atlanta Braves in the 1960s.
His baseball career was briefly interrupted in 1942 when he was called to active duty in the military. Hitchcock, who was a lieutenant in the Army reserves, served in the Army Air Force and advanced to the rank of major by the end of World War II, earning the Bronze Star and three battle stars for service in the Pacific.
In 1971, he was elected president of the Southern Baseball League where he served for 10 years. After 41 years in professional baseball, 22 of those in the majors, Hitchcock retired in 1981. He was inducted into
September 21-25, 2009
Billy Hitchcock
OHS 2009-2010
VocabularyEnhance (verb)—improve; make better or clearer
Harangue (verb)—noisy, attacking speech
Labyrinth (noun)—a maze
Nullify (verb)—to counter; make unimportant
DiscussionWhat qualities make an athlete a sportsman?1.
Explain whether being a sportsman hinders or helps a sportsman 2. become a winner.
“Dignity does not consist in possessing honors, but in deserving them.”
—Aristotle
the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1975.
Hitchcock has left his mark on the area. In 1990, he received the Walter Gilbert award given each year to a former outstanding Auburn University athlete. And in 1997, Hitchcock and his late brother, Jimmy, Auburn’s first All-American in both baseball and football, were honored as the field at Plainsman Park was renamed “Hitchcock Field.”
In later years, Hitchcock became active in the community as a
supporter of local youth baseball programs and athletics in Opelika. In 1994, Hitchcock was named honorary chairman of the Dixie Youth Baseball State Tournament at West Ridge Park. He was also a former board member of AmSouth Bank, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Lee County, the Museum of East Alabama, Camp ASCCA and the Alabama Senior Golf Association.
“A finer gentleman I never knew,” said Dragoin, a former Auburn University golf coach.§
September 28-October 2, 2009
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Dr.
Alfred Frederick, a native of Opelika and a professor of curriculum and instruction at the State University of New York at Oswego, has received a 2009 Syracuse, NY Post-Standard People of Achievement Award in recognition of his work inspiring future educators at home and abroad.
“Teachers can make a life, or they can break a life. In that sense, they have an enormous amount of power,” Frederick said in a story the Post-Standard dedicated to him and his work last month in advance of the award ceremony.
He told how his seventh-grade teacher in Opelika inspired him to excel. “She’s a part of me. If you’ve touched a life, you have done something that is meaningful.
And that is what I would like to do,” he said.
After graduating from J. W. Darden High School in Opelika, Frederick went on to receive his bachelor’s degree at Northern Illinois University, master’s at Columbia University and doctorate at the University of Brussels in Belgium and complete post-doctoral work at Harvard University.
Frederick has taught in the SUNY Oswego School of Education since 1985. He has earned six Fulbright grants to teach, conduct research and conduct research and consult in the African republic of Benin and in Brazil.
He is the author of several books and guides. Among them is “The Integration of Language, School, and Community: Bridging the Gap Between Home and School,” published in French in Benin. The US Agency for International Development purchased the book, and Frederick used the proceeds to establish the Sallie Frederick Foundation for Teacher Training in Benin, in honor of his late mother of Opelika.
On the occasion of Frederick’s
Dr. Alfred Frederick
OHS 2009-2010
VocabularyPlaintiff (noun)—petitioner (in court of law)
Replete (adjective)—full
Tangible (adjective)—can be touched
Abrogate (verb)—cancel; deny; repeal
DiscussionWhy is cooperation an essential part of everyday life?1.
How has cooperation helped Dr. Frederick achieve success?2.
“No man is an island. Each is part of the main.”—John Donne
most recent honor, Mayor Matthew J. Driscoll of Syracuse wrote to him, “Your tireless dedication to education and the approach and attitude you take towards teaching is refreshing and inspirational. Through Project
CLIMB and Project SMART you have been able to link students and faculty worldwide, connecting Central New York to the global community.Ӥ
October 5-9, 2009
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Jody Fuller
Some of his words may be difficult to make out, but when it comes to the language of laughter, Opelika native Jody Fuller couldn’t be more fluent.
The man his friends affectionately know as the “Stuttering Comic,” recently returned from a 25-day comedy tour entertaining troops in Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and Saudi Arabia.
It’s a nickname Fuller, 36, has embraced.
“I chose the name ‘The Stuttering Comic’ because that’s what people would refer to me as when they couldn’t remember my name,” said Fuller, a 1990 graduate of Opelika High School and former enlisted medic in the U.S. Army from 1992 to 1996 with the 111th Ordinance Group in Opelika.
A self-described “respectful class clown” in his younger days, Fuller
said he realized he had a knack for getting laughs about the sixth grade.
A lot of his jokes are based on “redneck or blue-collar humor,” but he said there’s a common theme with any material he uses. “My comedy is based on real life,” said Fuller, who recently purchased a house in Opelika. “The best comedy is comedy about real life and real things.”
As for the reality of a speech impediment, Fuller said he sees it as an asset.
“There are always going to be people who have it better than you, and there will always be those who have it much worse,” said Fuller.
Pronouncing the names of some Middle Eastern and central Asian countries is sometimes hard for Fuller. “Not sure I’ll ever get used to some of those names,” said Fuller. “Heck, I stutter. I even have trouble pronouncing the country of Chad.”
But when he’s standing before an audience of troops reeling off witty one-liners, Fuller, in many ways, sees himself. “I get great joy in making people laugh, but there’s no greater pleasure than performing for the troops,” said Fuller, who re-enlisted in the Army from 2002 to 2006 and now holds the rank of captain in the Alabama National Guard. “I’ve been enlisted, and I’m an officer, so I can
OHS 2009-2010
VocabularyBlasphemy (noun)—speech which offends religious sentiments
Credible (adjective)—believable
Enigma (noun)—puzzle; mystery
Harbinger (noun)—indicator; bringer of warnings
DiscussionWhat characteristics make Fuller a good communicator?1.
How does Fuller use comedy in his life?2.
“Only a brave person is willing to honestly admit, and fearlessly to face, what a sincere and logical mind discovers.”
—Rodan of Alexandria
relate to just about every troop out there.”
Fuller said it was rewarding getting to meet with the troops after the shows, and he’s honored to have the opportunity to inspire others. “Oftentimes after shows or via e-mail, people come up to me and tell me that they stutter and that it was inspiring for them to see me up there having no fear,” he said. “Right
or wrong, we are judged by many by the way we speak.
“Because I talk so much about stuttering and the challenges that come with it, I’ll have family members or friends of people who stutter who are awakened to the daily challenges that we face, whether it’s answering the phone, asking a girl out or ordering pizza. Thank God for online ordering.”§
Co
urageRobert L. Howard was born July 11,
1939 in Opelika, Alabama. He is a highly decorated officer of the United States Army and Medal of Honor recipient of the Vietnam War.Howard’s father and four uncles had been paratroopers in World War II, and he followed in their footsteps, joining the 101st Airborne in 1956. In 1965, during the first of his five tours of duty in Vietnam, he was wounded when a ricocheting bullet hit him in the face. While recuperating in a field hospital, he met a patient who was in the Special Forces. The man’s commanding officer talked Howard into transferring to the Special Forces.By late 1968, he had already been recommended for the Medal of Honor on two separate occasions as part of the 5th Special Forces Group. On the afternoon of December 28, his unit was ordered to rescue a wounded Green Beret. It took two hours for Howard and his men to clear the landing zone and get all the troops in. By dusk, as they were moving
forward to a hill where they thought the wounded Green Beret might be hiding, a force of about 250 North Vietnamese suddenly attacked.Howard and his lieutenant were at the head of the platoon when a claymore mine went off nearby. Howard was knocked unconscious; when he came to, he thought he was blind, until he realized that the blood from wounds on his face had gotten into his eyes. His hands were mangled by shrapnel, which had also destroyed his weapon. He could hear his lieutenant groaning in pain a few yards away, and he was almost overcome by a sickening odor: An enemy soldier with a Soviet flamethrower was burning the bodies of Howard’s comrades killed in the attack.Deciding to blow himself up rather than be incinerated, Howard struggled to get a grenade off his web belt, then fumbled with the pin. The soldier with the flamethrower watched him for a moment, then walked away. Howard threw the grenade after him, then crawled to his lieutenant and tried to pull him down the hill into a ravine where the surviving Americans and South Vietnamese had taken refuge. When he got the officer down to a large tree root where another GI had taken shelter, he screamed at the soldier to hand over his weapon. The soldier tossed him his .pistol, then opened fire himself with his rifle, killing three
October 12-16, 2009
Robert L. Howard
OHS 2009-2010enemy soldiers who were trying to capture Howard and his lieutenant.At that moment an NVA round struck Howard’s ammunition pouch, blowing him several feet down the hill. Still clutching the .45, he crawled back to the lieutenant, shooting several North Vietnamese along the way, and finally dragged him down to the ravine.Howard took charge of the remaining Special Forces troops, then called in U.S. air strikes. For the next two days the North Vietnamese probed his position. On the morning of December 31, U.S. helicopters were finally able to stage an evacuation. Two years
later, in February 1971, Howard was a captain in charge of a Special Forces company under assault by the enemy when he got a call on a field telephone from General William Westmoreland. “We’re in pretty bad shape here,” Howard said, thinking the general had called to find out his situation. “Yeah, I know,” Westmoreland replied, “but we’re going to bring you out and give you the Medal of Honor.”Robert Howard received the medal from President Richard Nixon on March 2, 1971. He retired at the rank of colonel in 1992.§
VocabularyTardy (adjective)—slow; late; overdue; delayed
Absolution (noun)—forgiveness; pardon; release
Blatant (adjective)—obvious
Creditable (adjective)—praiseworthy
DiscussionWhy was Howard awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor?1.
Explain why fear is a necessary part of courage.2.
“Resolve must be firmer, spirit the bolder, courage the greater, as our strength grows less
—”The Battle of Maldon” (Old English poem)
October 19-23, 2009
Creati
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yBilly Earl McClelland, born in 1950 in Opelika, Alabama, is a session guitarist and songwriter.
After high school, McClelland moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and was almost immediately picked up by a record label. As a session guitarist in Nashville, he worked with B.J. Thomas, Willie Nelson, Tony Joe White, Hank Snow, Townes Van Zandt, Brenda Lee, Mel Tillis and a host of others. He’s written songs for Hank Williams Jr., Waylon Jennings, Jerry Jeff Walker, T.G. Sheppard, Sawyer Brown and Delbert McClinton and more.
Eventually, he released a more rock-oriented record on Elektra. A second album, Ready or Not, remains unreleased by the label.
Later, McClelland moved to Memphis at the urging of Skip McQuinn. While there, his passion for the blues led him to produce the
first Big Bill Morganfield (son of Muddy Waters) recording engineered by Mike Durff.
McClelland continues to be a regular in clubs and festivals throughout the Southeast. McClelland’s raw edged vocals and guitar talent has led him to work with such blues greats as Bo Diddley and Albert Collins. His Year 2000 CD Judgment Day received critical acclaim from all the major blues magazines.
Billy Earl McClelland has recently helmed Mojo:Saint, a contemporary blues project, along with veteran drummer David Brazeal and legendary bassist Jack Hall [Wet Willie]. A new Mojo:Saint studio recording is in the works for late 2007.
McClelland has been inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.§
Billy Earl McClelland
OHS 2009-2010
VocabularyLabyrinthine (adjective)—complicated; highly convoluted
Nuzzle (verb)—cuddle; snuggle
Plaudit (noun)—statement giving strong praise
Reprehensible (adjective)—shameful; very bad
DiscussionHow has McClelland’s creativity contributed to his musical success?1.
Explain the relationship between creativity and work2.
“It is the silence between the notes that makes the music.”
—Noah benShea
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Shirley Flora
No one has made Opelika more beautiful than Shirley Flora.
No one has been more committed to helping the City of Opelika realize its present potential and plan for the best possible future than Shirley Flora.
She loves her city, and her dedication to it as the former director of Keep Opelika Beautiful, showed why.
Recently, the Alabama Chapter of the American Planning Association at its spring conference presented the Friend of Planning Award Flora.
Ironically, it was given to the candidate that “demonstrates time and dedication to increasing the understanding of community planning and promoting causes that advance the virtues of community planning.” Flora tirelessly worked with city leaders, developed worthwhile goals, organized the
efforts to reach them and was remarkably effective in communicating those goals and what it would take to make them reality.
Her hard work in Keep Opelika Beautiful helped keep the city’s roadways and neighborhoods as attractive as possible.
When you drive through the Opelika Azalea Trail, it’s difficult not to think of Mrs.
Flora and appreciate the hard work she did for her city.
Few cities are blessed to have a resident with the work ethic and genuine love for their town as Mrs. Flora.
Not only did she care enough to get involved, but she had the unique ability to make others care as well. She led by example.
She beautified the city by example.
She is an example those looking to get involved in community projects should follow and admire.
A few words in this booklet could never adequately communicate what she has done for Opelika.
But, the residents of Opelika will reap the rewards of her efforts for generations to come.§
October 26-30, 2009
OHS 2009-2010
VocabularyEnsconce (verb)—establish firmly in a position
Hasten (verb)—hurry; accelerate; rush
Laceration (noun)—a cut
Obdurate (adjective)—stubborn
DiscussionExplain how Shirley Flora has shown that cleanliness instills pride in a 1. city and its residents.
Explain two ways you have benefited from Shirley Flora’s dedication 2. to Opelika.
“Don’t agonize. Organize.”—Florynce Kennedy
Grati
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Born Heinz Julius Stern (Henry Stern) to Arnold and Hedwig Stern on September 4, 1931, his parents and older sister, Hannalora, lived in Westheim, Westfalen, Germany; the only Jewish family in a small town with only a depot, a creamery and a few shops. When the family went outside, they were required to wear the yellow Star of David pinned to their clothing to identify them as Jews. The family left Germany when Stern’s great-aunt and great-uncle, Julius and Amelia Hagedorn, a highly respected businessman who owned a department store in Opelika, Alabama, sent six ship tickets for the family to get to America. On June 16, 1937, the six Sterns went to Hamburg, Germany, for a family farewell with cousins and other relatives. Just a few minutes before boarding the ship, a photograph was taken of all the family members in attendance at the farewell and, along with 330 other passengers, the Sterns boarded the S.S. Washington, the last ship of Jews
to legally leave Germany.On June 24, 1937, Stern walked on deck to find a crowd of people staring off into the distance as the Statue of Liberty stood directly in front of them. “It was probably the most beautiful sight I had ever seen,” Stern remembers. Once off the ship, the family stayed in a hotel for three nights before boarding the New York Crescent train to Opelika.“While we were on the train, my sister and I were told we needed to Americanize our names,” Stern said. “That’s when Hannalora became just Lora, and I became Henry.” The family received a hero-like welcome when they arrived in Opelika on June 27, 1937. Opelika Mayor John Crawsley met the family at the Opelika Depot and presented a proclamation welcoming them to the United States. The Sterns were then escorted by police to the Hagedorn’s home on Third Avenue as citizens lined the streets to cheer the family’s arrival.Stern had never been free to go outside and play. He didn’t have to wear the Star of David, and he could even play with other children – concepts as foreign as the country he now called home. Stern and his sister made new friends, It was difficult at first since Stern and Lora didn’t speak any English. But local schoolteacher, Louise Tollison,
Henry SternNovember 2-6, 2009
OHS 2009-2010had heard about the family coming to America, so she brushed up on her German and began teaching English to the children. Ruth Meadows taught the adults by using a Sears-Roebuck catalog. They would point to an item, and Meadows would translate.Stern attended Northside Intermediate School from first through sixth grades and Clift High School, also known as Opelika High School, from seventh to 12th. Stern played football and basketball at OHS one year and following graduation, attended Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University) where he played a year of basketball. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1954 and graduated from Auburn in 1960. In the summer of 1955, Stern met Roslyn Brock at the Opelika Tennis Center and married her on June 23,
1961. An accomplished artist, the late “Miss Roslyn” taught art in the Opelika City Schools for almost 40 years, and the couple had two children, Virginia and Henry J. Stern, Jr.Stern was a partner in a department store in downtown Opelika and a real estate agent before joining the Opelika Chamber of Commerce where he worked until his retirement in 1988.Many call the Holocaust the most heinous crime ever committed against humanity, but because of persistent relatives in Opelika, Stern escaped the atrocity and now is one of the last known survivors east of the Mississippi River.He faced challenges in his life most could never imagine, but he has always remained positive and grounded.§
VocabularyPlausible (adjective)—can be believed; reasonable
Reprieve (noun)—a respite; postponement of a sentence
Tawdry (adjective)—of little value; gaudy
Abstain (verb)—desist; go without; withdraw
DiscussionDefine gratitude.1.
List two ways gratitude fits the life of Henry Stern.2.
“Coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous.”—Albert Einstein
November 9-13, 2009
Patr
iotism
John Herbert OrrJohn Herbert Orr (1911 – 1984) was an Alabama entrepreneur who formed Orradio Industries, Inc., a high-technology firm that made magnetic recording tape.
Orr was among the U.S. Army Intelligence officials who investigated this technology, which was originally developed in Germany during the 1930s.
According to one story, in 1945 General Dwight D. Eisenhower wanted to record a message to the German people, which he did using captured German tape. However, the tape had not been completely erased, and Hitler’s voice, so the story goes, could be heard intermittently along with that of Eisenhower. Eisenhower ordered that no more captured tape could be used, and ordered Major John Herbert Orr to use captured German scientists to set up an American tape manufacturing facility.
Orr’s early knowledge allowed him to establish Orradio in 1949. When, after some uncertainty, tape became the standard medium for magnetic recorders, and as other uses such as data storage and videotape appeared, Orradio’s
sales expanded rapidly in the late 1950s. The company was purchased by a larger competitor, the Ampex Corporation, in 1959.
Along with recording tape, Orradio Industries produced tape players, Hi Fi speaker systems and even electronic player pianos. Eventually Ampex Corporation funded his recording technology. Orr placed his Ampex plant on the spot where Opelika’s prisoner-of-war camp for German prisoners had stood during World War II.
The Pioneer Award for The Alabama Music Hall of Fame was named in his honor.§
OHS 2009-2010
VocabularyBlighted (adjective)—damaged; destroyed; ruined
Credulous (adjective)—gullible; ready to believe anything
Enshroud (verb)—cover
QuestionsWhat is your definition of patriotism?1.
Based on his story, how do you think John Herbert Orr would define 2. patriotism?
“Don’t wait for your ‘ship to come in’ and feel angry and cheated when it doesn’t. Get going with some-thing small.”
—Irene Kassorla
Generosity
James and Ophelia Killgore came to Opelika in 1916 with $600 and rented a house that still stands on Geneva Street between Avenue D and Torbert Boulevard. With their $600, Mr. Killgore opened a mercantile store at the corner of South 9th Street and Avenue B (an historical marker marks the spot today) stocking barrels of sugar and flour, dill pickles, lard, canned goods, horse collars, ropes, fabric, and the best selection of penny candy in town. He later added groceries to his inventory and employed one stock boy.
Though he only had a sixth grade education, Jim Killgore had a keen mind and invested his money in stocks and real estate. He read the Wall Street Journal every day and he and his wife were very frugal with their spending.
Light bulbs hung from wires in the
middle of the ceiling in their home and used only if someone was in the room. The light meter was read regularly and the icebox was opened only three times a day for Mrs. Killgore to get the necessary items for a meal. The couple never owned a television, telephone, or radio and the one car they owned was wiped down and put up on blocks after
each use to save wear and tear on the tires, which were never replaced.
Mr. Killgore walked the two blocks to work each day and Mrs. Killgore would join him for lunch where they would split a ham sandwich and share a five-cent Coca-Cola.
When Mrs. Killgore became ill and was hospitalized, her husband hired round-the-clock nurses to sit with her, but had to pay them privately at the end of each shift so that his wife would not know he was paying for their services.
Mrs. Killgore died in 1966 and after her death, Mr. Killgore lived a different life going to movies, out-to-eat, and traveling with one of his wife’s nurses. He died six months later.
At the time of their deaths, the
November 16-20, 2009
James and Ophelia Killgore
OHS 2009-2010
VocabularyHaughtiness (noun)—arrogance; pride
Lachrymose (adjective)—tearful; sad
Obfuscate (verb)—deliberately make something difficult to understand
Plethora (noun)—an excess
DiscussionWhat drove the Killgores to be so generous?1.
What is your definition of generosity2.
How have you benefited from the generosity of others?3.
“Charity sees the need, not the cause.”—German Proverb
Killgores estate was valued at $1.5 million of which $1.2 million was left to establish the James A. and Ophelia Killgore Scholarship Fund. Only the interest on the account can be used each year with girls receiving $1,500 and boys $1,000, renewable for four years. Originally, girls received $700 and boys $500, but the trust stipulated
that the amount could increase if the funds were available. Girls receive more than boys because when the scholarship was established, girls generally did not hold jobs.
Over 1,000 area seniors have been awarded Killgore Scholarships since 1967.§
Co
mp
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Cecil Langston
Cecil Langston has always been a hard worker. From the first time he went to work back in the early 1950s until he retired, he was a loyal and dedicated employee. When he retired he spent some time at the lake relaxing and enjoying the fruits of his labor. Then on day he met a very poor, elderly man and decided to help him. Cecil was so affected by this man that he could not sleep at night and would lay awake thinking about him and wondering if he was all right. The wheels started turning for Cecil and in the next few months he and his wife Sue started a ministry that would change hundreds of lives right here in Opelika.
The Langstons moved from the lake back to Opelika and started a food and clothing ministry at the 10th Street Church of Christ. They collected food and clothing from the members of the church and stocked two rooms with these items. They began reaching out to the disadvantaged of our community and offering them assistance with food
and clothing. Any time there was a disaster, like fire or tornado, Cecil and Sue would begin collecting items from the church members and would distribute them to the victims.
This ministry grew and they were able to help the residents of Timothy Manor, an apartment complex for the elderly. They would collect furniture for those who had none, take them to the doctor and to the grocery store, hang clothing from the church clothes closet in the laundry rooms for the residents to take, and bring them groceries form the church food pantry once a month. The Langstons would also go to the food bank and pick up the food for the residents who did not have transportation or who were not physically able to go themselves. Cecil and Sue encouraged other from the church to help them and soon they were in command of an army of volunteers.
Cecil and Sue’s idea grew even more and with the help of their church they began providing the groceries fro a Thanksgiving and a Christmas meal to the underprivileged children in the Opelika City Schools. Last year they expanded this program to provide for students in Smiths Station, Beauregard, and Beulah schools. They also began to collect and provide winter coats for all the same children.§
November 30-December 4, 2009
OHS 2009-2010
VocabularyRepudiate (verb)—shun; eschew
Tedium (noun)—boredom
Abstemious (adjective)—self denying; refraining from indulging
Blithe (adjective)—free-spirited; carefree
DiscussionGive two reasons to consider Cecil Langston a compassionate man.1.
Give an example of an act of compassion that relates to you as either 2. the giver or the receiver.
“In every community, there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal. In every heart, there is power to do it.”
—Marianne Williamson
Kin
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Albert Chambers accomplished a great many things in his life, but most would say his greatest achievement was the impact he made on the community.
The first African American County Commissioner for Opelika, deacon of the Great Peace Baptist Church, Scout Master for troop 373, civil rights activist, co-founder for the youth development center and the list goes on.
“Had he not stood, a lot of us would not be here,” Irene Willis said. “He not only opened the door, but he kept that door open.”
Councilman Larry Gray said Chambers stepped up, came up front and became a leader. He couldn’t count all the people Chambers served.
“There is no greater deed than to give back to your community,” said Johnny Ivey, Chambers’ brother-in-law. “Every little bit you do makes a person’s day a little brighter.”
The Rev. Clifford Jones of Greater Peace Baptist church, Chambers’ church, said he knew Chambers did a great deal of work before he even got there.
“He started the Scouting ministry at our church,” Jones said. “He has impacted this area in so many ways.”
Greater Peace has awarded three Eagle Scout honors since the ministry began for Troop 373, he said.
He also touched the lives of those closest to him. Ivey said Chambers steered him in the right direction, telling him what to do and what not to do and that he was always proud of him.
“He paved the way for me, parting the waters like Moses did,” Gray said. “I was born to live up to his standards.”
Willis not only presented Chambers with an award as being a pillar of the Opelika community, but listed his various accomplishments throughout the community through his church, food drives and being an active member of the NAACP. Chambers has been awarded by every level of government for his exceptional service, Willis said. The Martin Luther King, Jr. service award is also among his achievements.
Albert ChambersDecember 7-11, 2009
OHS 2009-2010
“I saw him work to feed his family,” Ivey said. “Then when he got his GED, he was so proud of it. He went out and collected all the people he could find to get their GED.” Fostering this work ethic and vision
was part of his everyday life and he was an example to those he met.
Chambers is still a figure in the community and inspires everyone he meets. §
VocabularyCrepuscular (adjective)—active at dawn and dusk
Enunciation (noun)—clear pronunciation; accent; articulation
Headstrong (adjective)—stubborn; willful
Lackluster (adjective)—dull; monotonous; bland
DiscussionWhat acts of kindness do recognize in the story of Albert Chambers?1.
What acts of kindness have you done in the last week?2.
Explain why acts of kindness are necessary.3.
“An age is called Dark, not because the light fails to shine, but because people refuse to see it.”
—James Michener
Notes
2009-2010
“No matter what we plant in our garden, character is the gardener.”
—Noah benShea