(This column appeared in the 9.5.07 edition of the Tribune & Georgian newspaper, and in the 9.06.07 edition of The Kings Bay Periscope.)
In the August 21 issue of Sports Illustrated, Alexander Wolff’s story about the plight of New Orleans schools two years post-Katrina, looked at a clearly difficult and tragic scenario, focusing on the problems of a reduced population in key parts of the city and the problems of building infrastructure – schools, businesses, roads, buildings – without tax revenue or population to use, work in and support the facilities. In his piece, Wolff notes that one of the areas lost to the city is the community and educational sports programs.
One of the persons Wolff talked to for his essay was Ron Gearing, athletic director of the Orleans Parish public schools. Gearing, Wolff says, looks at the emptiness of the neighborhoods today and wants to weep. His concern? That his community is losing kids that should be in school in their neighborhood and that they won’t return because there is nothing there for them.
“It’s a proven fact that those who participate in extracurricular activities graduate at a higher rate,” Gearing said. “Take a trumpet and give it to a kid, and that kid will graduate because he played in the band. Or we can [give him] a jersey, and he’ll graduate because he was on a team. A cheerleader, a majorette, a dancer—those are the kids who make it. The kids who don’t embrace those things [or who don’t have the chance to embrace them] are the ones we lose.”
How fitting is it that, facing the difficulties they face in New Orleans, that school officials recognize that all the buildings and repaired homes in the world cannot attract children back to their neighborhoods. But programs will. “When we open schools and start sports and arts programs,” Gearing said, “kids show up. We are not sure where they were, but they find us.” What else needs to be said about how important such programs are for attracting and educating the whole child?
Locally, in the following weeks, commitment and dedication will take on new meaning, as your neighbors and friends will undertake a reprise of Crooked Rivers’ spring cultural heritage production, “Fightin’, Faith and Family.” Starting with rehearsals this week, the Crooked Rivers volunteers will put a new spin on great stories about our community, dating back to the 19th century and peering into more recent history. This production, which is the second annual full-length Crooked Rivers offering, looks at stories and history that surround common experiences, particularly those related to the spiritual, to war and to family.
“Fightin’, Faith and Family” looks at relationships between husband and wives, society’s tendency to pick fights, and the important role that faith plays in our coastal Georgia past. The cast of “Fightin’, Faith and Family” is comprised of local community members devoted to providing you with an evening of historical and humorous entertainment filled with stories and music about the region’s cultural and historical heritage. Your tour guides, as you traverse through that heritage, are the three sisters (Kingsley, Woodenia, and Mary), that represent the major cities of Camden County (Woodbine, Kingsland, and St. Marys). Just as in “Sisters’ Three,” Crooked Rivers 2006 production, these ladies help guide you through the years, gently jibing each other along the way.
The Crooked Rivers’ reprisal production of “Fightin’, Faith, and Family” will take the stage on Friday (Sept. 21) at 7 p.m. and Saturday (Sept. 22) at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the high school Auditorium. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and senior adults. Tickets will be available at Sheila’s Hallmark, the St. Mary’s Tourism Office, Kingsland Tourism Office and the CCHS Auditorium in advance. They will also be available at the door day of show.
If you have ideas or events you want me to share with readers, send me a note at pkraack1@tds.net.
9.5.07
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