2 - Atlanta Public Schools

sual
Vi
2
Aud
i
Rost
r
um
Grady chorus teacher Kevin Hill takes
us through the
life and times of
the Godfather of
Soul, and Caroline McKay covers
the High School Musical phenomenon.
o
4
Grady’s darkroom gives
students a
hands on
experience.
“The Wads”
show us.
8
After two weeks in
South Africa, Lee Allen
shares her eyeopening
brush up against a nation’s Apartheid. Phil
takes time for words of
wisdom on education.
10
10
Sam Johnson covers
the
fashion show
from behind the
drums, and Couture’s
Caitlin Ahern loosens
up on where to shop
as well as this seasons
‘goodies.’
2
0
Cover
by
Carson Hale
Me
Cout
e
ur
1
6
C
o
n
t
e
n
t
s
gerie
a
n
While Grady
(or any high
school, for that
matter) can be a
strange place, Mr.
Brandhorst gives
10 reasons why it’s
the place to be.
Grady has
a school for
healthcare,
a
magnet
program,
and a killer fine arts
program. These programs and others
have given students
new opportunities.
This issue looks at
the students who
exemplify this Grady
Spirit of Progress.
nexus
Volume 3 Issue 3
2007
Contributing Writers
Caroline McKay
Caroline McKay is the Keeper of Time for
Grady’s highly award-winning Mock Trial
team. When she’s not balling out on a
stopwatch, she can be found breaking
her toe and schooling teamates in the art
of attending good, if a little cliche, musicals.
Kurt Phillips
Kurt Phillips is a multi-faceted diamond in the
rough of education. Teaching economics and
AP Psychology to Grady seniors, Phil can be
seen skipping down the hall, twiddling his
thumbs, or repeating sentences upwards
of three times. Though multi-talented, Phil’s
passion is listening to NPR while brushing his cat.
Brian Starnes
Brian Starnes is one thing: hungry. All the time.
Every day. Even when he’s full, he’s hungry. He
eats more than three meals a day. He eats
more than three servings in a meal. He enjoys
every food group and does not discriminate
against any type of grub. When not “chowin”,
Brian enjoys free-writing his thoughts in diaries.
Rafael Valez
Artist, thespian and part-time Italian, Velez
is a connoisseur of culture. His most recent
venture as gang member is going surprisingly well, with choreographed dance
numbers, singing, knife fighting and hot
fudge sundaes all day long with nights spent
searching for his true and only love.
Kevin HIll
Kevin Hill has been teaching Grady chorus for
as long as the seniors have been at Grady.
Discussing music theory wherever he goes, Mr.
Hill occasionally slips into extended metaphors
involving the intrinsic link between BMX biking
and life. He loves nothing better than strapping
on a helmet and playing some Bach.
Few schools have the resources of Grady.
From the recording studio to the darkroom,
Grady has a lot of options. More and more
students are taking advantage of these
opportunities
and enriching the Grady
community with art, music, and fashion.
The most advanced of Grady’s recent
additions is the recording studio. It is swiftly
opening doors for young artists who might
not otherwise be able to pay for studio time
or develop connections with the right people.
Grady has fashion shows that put
other schools to shame, dark rooms that
professionals are proud to use and ambitious
play productions that wow their audiences.
There are enough great things to do at Grady
to make one wish for a few extra hours in the
day.
With such options open to Grady students it
is no wonder that the school produces so many
talented students. The wonderful environment
that allows this all to happen is one-of-a-kind
for more reasons that technological wonders.
Grady’s sense of community holds true
despite all of its shortcomings and its
nurturing spirit allows lasting communities
to form, whether they are grape trees, sweat
shops or an unspoken sense of camaraderie.
Grady is the place to be.
Nexus: a magazine of culture
Staff: Lee Allen, Jessica Baer, Emma Din,
John Helsel, Paul Katzman, Robinson
Levin, Daniel Matthews, Sarah Beth
McKay, Hannah Rosenbaum, Olivia Scofield, Madeleine Webb
Managing Editor: Stone Irvin
Assistant Editor: Cailtin Ahern
Print Staff: Alvin Hambrick, Harlon
Heard, Michael Jackson, Adlai McClure,
Charlotte Napper, Benjamin Shaw
Design Editors: Sam Johnson, Kenny
Jones, Travis Jones
From
The
Staff
Adviser: Debra Hartsfield
Advertising: Nexus is a non-profit
organization that relies on advertising
to generate revenue to cover printing
and maintenance costs. Nexus is read
by approximately 2,000 people and is a
great way to publicize your business. To
advertise with Nexus, contact Maddie at
maddiemocktrial@hotmail.com.
Nexus is a bimonthly publication of:
Henry W. Grady High School
929 Charles Allen Drive NE
Volume 3 Issue 3
Atlanta, GA 30309
Submissions: Nexus is a submissionbased publication that relies on your
submissions for its content. Nexus accepts
submissions for all of its sections and
features (submissions may be edited for
length or content). Submission forms
are located in the Southerner room, or
can be obtained from Ms. Hartsfield. For
more information, please contact Stone
or Maddie or any member of the staff at
maddiemocktrial@hotmail.com.
audio
James Brown, Godfather of Soul, dies; brazen life resonates
In almost thirty years of
going to the movies, I can only
recall three or four films that
moved the audience to the
point of actually applauding
at the end. In at least two
of those films, the audience
exploded into a chorus
shouting “ROCKY! ROCKY!”
Though I have since come
to realize that Sylvester “Sly”
Stallone is not the best actor
of all time, I must admit that
these movies were incredibly
successful at connecting with
an audience. When I think of
the most exciting moments
from the Rocky series, one of
the first images that comes
to mind is James Brown’s
electrifying performance of
“Living in America” in Rocky IV.
Sure, I had heard many of his
songs before, but that was the
first time I remember seeing
Brown actually perform. The
energy he exuded on stage
completely upstaged Stallone.
As profound as it is, Brown’s
voice is not easy to listen to. As
a singer and voice teacher, his
harsh, dry and worn timbre
makes me want to reach for
a glass of water. He deserved
the title “hardest working
man in show business” simply
for what he had to overcome
vocally. However much like
Billie Holiday before him,
the character in this raspy,
imperfect and colorful human
voice is what compels us to
listen.
Born in the South during
the Great Depression, Brown
reflected the struggles of
his generation through his
singing. At 16 he was placed
in reform school where he
met Bobby Byrd, and the
two soon formed their own
group that performed in and
around Toccoa, Georgia. It
was from this foundation that
Brown began to develop his
distinctive style of music and
his unique voice.
My favorite example of
Brown’s voice is without a
doubt “It’s A Man’s, Man’s,
Man’s World.” The sparse
pizzicato character of the
accompaniment leaves the
vocal line completely exposed
and vulnerable. The song is
often dismissed as chauvinistic,
but the tone of Brown’s voice
suggests something a bit
more complex. Whether you
agree with his lyrics or not, it’s
hard to ignore the voice of a
man (or woman) who sings
with that much soul.
James Brown lived his life
as passionately as he sang. He
was arrested numerous times
for battery and drunk driving.
His life was plagued with
domestic violence. Even to this
date, more than three months
after his death, his body has
still not been buried due to
his arguing family members.
At the same time, he wrote
over 800 songs, more than
ninety of which reached the
Billboard Top 100. Seventeen
of those reached number
one. He received a Grammy
for Lifetime Achievement and
was inducted into both the
Georgia Music Hall of Fame
and the Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame. He has his star on the
Hollywood Walk of Fame.To be
sure, James Brown lived a bold,
troubled, complicated, but
undoubtably extraordinary
life. Thankfully, his music and
his voice were just as bold,
troubled, complicated, and
extraordinary.What a life.What
a voice.
-Kevin Hill
“It doesn’t matter how you travel it, it’s the same road. It doesn’t get any
easier when you get bigger, it gets harder. And it will kill you if you let it.”
-James Brown
Upcoming Performances
Venue
Artist
Date
Variety Playhouse
TV On the Radio
Apr. 13, 2007
Atlanta Civic Center
The Isley Brothers
Apr. 15, 2007
Variety Playhouse
Victor Wooten
Apr. 21, 2007
Fox Theatre
The Killers
Apr. 22, 2007
Tabernacle
Norah Jones
Apr. 27, 2007
Gwinnett Center Arena
Busta Rhymes and E40
Apr. 28, 2007
Photo courtesy of Flickr user cameracar
2
[NEXUS] March - April 2007
audio
Popular play typifies Disney
A simple mention of High
School Musical makes most
students roll their eyes.
To them, the super-clean,
unrealistically ‘poppy’ sound
track and plot define the
shallow, cookie-cutter teenage
girls who flow in the sheltered
current
of
mainstream
Americana. I completely agree.
The predictable plot, even
more predictable outcome,
and stereotypical characters
are exactly what one would
expect of the Disney Channel.
Despite all of its shortcomings,
I still love it.
When High School Musical
premiered in January of last
year, it almost immediately
became the most popular
Disney Channel Original
Movie in
history, and it
seemed as though every
teenage girl was in love with it.
To prolong its success, Disney
released a novel version of
the film, made the movie
into a series, and sold the
rights to a theater company,
so High School Musical could
be prduced as a real musical,
which premiered at the Fox
Theatre this January.
The play was not quite as
fine-tuned as the film, but it
still managed to convey the
same charm. The costumes
and set were vibrant and
creative, and continued the
unrealistic Disney theme:
there is no dirt in high school
hallways and every student
Photo Courtesy of Joan Marcus
wears bright, solid colored
clothes. The leads sang DISNEY ON STAGE: Troy, played by John Jeffrey Martin, sings
beautifully together, but “Get’cha Head in the Game” to raise spirits before the big game.
Troy struggled on his own.
The biggest disappointment show—no matter how old preconceptions of Disney as
in the show was “Get’cha or initially un-enthusiastic puerile and immature, yet
Head In The Game,” which they were. I couldn’t help but still allows them to enjoy the
did not have the same energy be consumed by the pure performance for what it is: a
as the film version. That said, happiness blasting from well-performed, entertaining
by the end of the second act, the stage. The show ends musical.
everyone was enjoying the up reinforcing its audiences’
-Caroline McKay
Upcoming Albums
Album
Artist
Date
Get Money--Stay True
Paul Wall
Apr. 3, 2007
Cassadaga
Bright Eyes
Apr. 10, 2007
Australia
The Shins
Apr. 16, 2007
Year Zero
Nine Inch Nails
Apr. 17, 2007
At the Olympia
Ray Charles
Apr. 17, 2007
Favourite Worst Nightmare
Arctic Monkeys
Apr. 24, 2007
The American Dream
Mike Jones
May 8, 2007
3
Visual
Pan’s Labyrinth
The Memory Keeper’s Daughter
The Memory Keeper’s Daughter
begins during a blizzard in Kentucky
when Dr. Henry’s wife is giving birth
and the only available help is his nurse,
Caroline. Everything is going smoothly
as he delivers his twins, until he notices
something is wrong with his daughter:
she has Down Syndrome. To spare
his wife from a grief stricken life he
makes a decision that will haunt him
for the rest of his life. He asks Caroline
to take the baby to a special home, but
she has different plans for the baby.
These two decisions shape the paths of the characters,
their qualities and the multiple adventures they encounter
throughout the story. The decisions are also at the heart
of the story and the root of all the relationships in the
novel. Furthermore, the author does an excellent job
describing the emotional states of each character. She also
brings back their past experiences in everything they do.
When Edwards describes a scene, you feel it. You are
overwhelmed, and think, “I know exactly what you’re talking
about!” She tells fifteen different personal stories about
various characters and still manages to unite all the different
characters from different backgrounds, lifestyles and cultures.
The Memory Keeper’s Daughter is an emotionally moving
story that will change the way people think about life.
-Hannah Rosenbaum
This is not a movie for the
faint of heart. Although the story
focuses on a twelve-year-old girl,
it is a tremendously violent film.
The movie takes place in Spain
during Franco’s fascist rule. A
young girl, Ofélia, and her mother
must move to the country to
live at the army base where her
mother’s new husband, Capitan
Vidal, is stationed. She meets a
fairy that takes her to a maze of
stone where she meets a faun. The
faun tells her that she is really the princess of the moon
and that she must complete three tasks before the full
moon in order to return to her kingdom to her real family.
Because it is a horror film, there are many evil monsters
and creatures. One of the main themes is that the most
horrible and evil things are not done by the monsters,
but by humans, especially the Captain. The movie
makes heavy use of sound to manipulate the audience’s
emotions – the Captain wears a lot of leather and creaks
whenever he moves. The faun, as if to announce his
presence, appears with a kind of nature-esque swooshing,
groaning sound. If you can handle seeing violence, see
this movie because it is an artistic beauty. If you can’t,
don’t, because you’ll probably end up covering your eyes.
-Rafael Velez
The Glass Castle
The
book
I
read
this
semester that
affected
me
the most was
The Glass Castle,
a memoir by
Jeannette Walls.
Walls tells an
inspirational
story
of
growing up and learning from her
parents’ mistakes. People who less
than desirable parents through
her inspirational story of triumph.
When Walls was younger she was
ignorant to her parents’ flaws. She was
used to getting new cars every couple
of months because the old one broke
down and moving because the bill
collectors were after them. She saw
her mother, Rose Mary, as a loving and
caring woman who loved going on
4
[NEXUS] March - April 2007
adventures and her father, Rex, as an
intelligent but unlucky entrepreneur.
Walls’ memoir includes several
positive (and countless negative)
memories from her childhood: all of
the children getting brand new bikes
on Christmas; sleeping in cardboard
boxes; stealing food out of trashcans
after her school’s lunch; being the
editor of her high school’s newspaper
when she was only a junior. Her
family’s unexpected hardships and
seldom joyous experiences make
the book impossible to put down.
This gracefully written account of
Walls’ family’s deprivation is a serious
reality check. It forces one to put one’s
life in perspective. The novel emphasizes
what people take for granted on a day
to day basis. It also shows that although
her family had its issues and she had
a rough childhood, it was those very
catalysts that pushed her to become the
T
HEATRE
D
VD
G AME
successful woman that she is today. It
makes me wonder what my life will be
like twenty years from now. If Walls was
so successful with so many setbacks,
why can’t everyone achieve those goals?
Is it better to struggle as a child so you
work harder for the things you want
later on in life, Or is it better to have
a nourishing childhood environment
in order to create a continuum into
your future? Is it better to have
parents whom you can learn from their
mistakes or parents whom you can
learn from the things they do correctly?
Does it even matter which way
you were raised if you want the
same thing for yourself in the future
and you will do whatever possible
to achieve that goal?
The Glass
Castle evokes all of these questions
and more, making the reevaluation
of one’s priorities a necessitiy.
-Caitlin Ahern
B OOK
T
ELEVISION
visual
Taste
Grady
C
Photography Culture
A
Jonathan Carcamo
of the
Max Beeching
David Edgar
Gus Rick
Adrienne Langford
Crissy Valenti
Leah Bishop
Christian Bevil
David Levison
Matt Altland
Sam Johnson
Recent Grady Student Photography
Max Meinhardt
Jessie Andrews
Wes Smith
Curry Andrews
5
visual
Daniel Matthews
Students developing under Wadsworth
Teacher leads way for auspicious changes in Grady photography department
When Grady Students think
of the Grady photography
program,
they
picture
Ms. Wadsworth. Since Ms.
Wadsworth
started
the
photography program last
school year, she has attempted
everything in her power
attract attention to it. Most
recently, this past December,
the photography students
sold pieces alongside the AP
Art students in the theater
lobby. These successes might
never have occurred had
not a few chance incidents
led Ms. Wadsworth to Grady.
Ms. Wadsworth did not
initially intend to teach
photography. After graduating
from Georgia State University
(GSU) with a bachelor’s in
photography, she took a
number of photographyrelated marketing jobs. She
then spent five years working
for a catering company that
she helped found. Her interest
in teaching was sparked while
catering for a school event.
“Between the kids and the
teachers I just got this really
good vibe, I kept thinking
‘man this is great,’ I feel so alive
there was such a good energy
at the school,” Wadsworth
said of the experience. She
attended a job fair soon
after and started working as
an art teacher for the next
few years. Then she received
a call from Mr. Brandhorst
about Grady’s need for a
photography teacher. “It was
6
[NEXUS] March - April
2007
amazing I wasn’t even looking photography in the past
and then a school two blocks few years before coming to
from my house wants me Grady. “I’m just getting back
and they have a photography into it,” said Wadsworth. “Its
program. It was written in like the students and I are
the stars,” said Wadsworth. growing together; they are
Ms. Wadsworth has since learning things for the first
become a spirited member time and I’m re-exploring the
of the Grady high school techniques again.” The class
community. Wadsworth said:“I is not the only opportunity
love the students so much… for students to pursue their
They are really serious and interest in photography.
they appreciate everything For those students who
they are given through this
want to continue their work
program, they enjoy
outside of class or
“I like that
learning.”
Ms.
underclassmen
Wa d s wo r t h
who can not
I can express
does
not
yet take the
myself through
m e r e l y
class,
Ms.
appreciate
Wa
d
s
w
o
r
th
photography, there’s
the school’s
h o s t s
endless possibilities photography
atmosphere,
with the camera.” club
but also the
after
resources.
school
every
-Grace Brown
“The equipment
Wednesday.
and facilities here
Photography
club
at Grady’s photography
members pay a small fee for
program are equivalent to the materials they use so as not
the college level photography to take away from the students
equipment I used a GSU doing class assignments.
[before their renovation],” said
“I really like coming to
Wadsworth. Any photography photo club because since I’m a
student will tell you that freshman,” said photography
Wadsworth is constantly trying club
member
Hannah
to instill her students with a Jackson. “It’s a much freer
sense of value in the resources environment than a class.”
provided by the school. Many of the members enjoy
The experience of working the freedom of not being in
at Grady has been a learning a class environment as well
one for the students as as the freedom of expression
well as Ms. Wadsworth. Ms. through photography. Said
Wadsworth is re-discovering sophomore Grace Brown
things as she goes since ““I’m not really good at
she had not seriously done drawing so I like that I can
express
myself
through
photography, there’s endless
possibilities with the camera.”
Despite the rise of the
digital camera, Ms. Wadsworth
teaches classic photography,
and is an adamant supporter
of the technique. “I love old
school photography,” said
Wadsworth, “I love the handson work and that I create
everything from my hands and
not through some software.”
The satisfaction that students
experience in photography
is a result of their direct
production of photos. “ The
results I get are the best part
of Photography,” said Hannah
Jackson,“Being able to change
effects on one single photo
can give me a lot of different
options with my photos.”
One of the struggles
facing the photography
program is the lack of
classes. Students of different
photography levels have to
share a class, which makes
distributing
assignments
and administering lessons
much more difficult. With
a growing community of
avid photography fans Ms.
Wadsworth is hopeful about
the photography program’s
future.
Said
Wadsworth
““Since last year we still have
only 3 classes available, but
the enrollment in them
is higher so by next year
there is a strong possibility
of offering another class.”
-Jessica Baer
Grady photographers at work
Jessica Baer
Daniel Matthews
Daniel Matthews
Daniel Matthews
Daniel Matthews
Max Meinhardt, Ms. Wadsworth, and Matt Powell work on developing photos that they have taken.
Street Selections
Movies
wikipedia.org
Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon
Movie Film for Theaters
The Invisible
Kickin’ it Old Skool
Spider-Man 3
The Treatment
4/13/07
4/27/07
4/27/07
5/4/07
5/4/07
Hannah Rosenbaum
4/10/07
4/10/07
4/17/07
4/17/07
4/24/07
4/24/07
Hannah Rosenbaum
amazon.com
DVDs
Tom Goes to the Mayor
Twin Peaks: Season 2
Happy Days: Season 2
The Venture Bros.: Season 2
The Drew Carey Show: Season 1
Moral Orel: Vol. 1
Hannah Rosenbaum
Releases
Beach Assault
Tokyo Extreme Racer Drift 2
Fairy Godmother Tycoon
F.E.A.R.
Halo 3
wikipedia.org
4/10/07
4/10/07
4/17/07
4/17/07
4/27/07
Hannah Rosenbaum
Video Games
“I want to see High School
Musical because its full of
fun songs and I find it realy
entertaining. Also, it’s filled with
actors my age and it’s a family
friendly environment.”
-Anja Girffin
“I want to go see Battle of the
Bands because it supports my
fellow classmates, and it will
give me a chance to see other
high school bands from the
area.”
-Robert Byrd
“I want to go see Daddy’s Little
Girls because it reminds me of
my family. My dad has three
daughters and he wants to
take us all to it as a family affair.
Gabrielle Union is also starring
in it and she’s so talented; I love her work.”
-Ivy Davis
“I want to see Smokin’ Aces
because Alicia Keys is acting in
it and I’ve never seen her act
before. Plus, the plot looks really
cool!”
-Kai Washington
7
Rostrum
Riot shows spirit of protest
LEE ALLEN
O
20
n the morning of June 16, 1976, thousands of black high thousands of students chanting and holding signs stating
school students began a march through their town of things like “Down With Afrikaans”. As they approached Orlando
Soweto, a township just outside of Johannesburg, South Stadium, they came face to face with a police barricade.
Africa, to protest a policy.
Some reports state that students became violent: throwing
At this time, South Africa was under the regime of apartheid. stones and heckling officers. Others contend it was the police
Literally meaning “separateness,” it was a system of racial who shot without cause at the crowd, creating panic, chaos,
segregation in which everyone was legally categorized by more violence and finally a riot.
race, and then geographically separated. Designed to legally
Thirteen-year-old Hector Pieterson was shot and killed
perpetuate the political and economical dominance of by police fire during the massacre. A photo was taken as he
South Africans of European descent, apartheid affected every was being carried, covered in blood, down the street. This
aspect of a South African’s life: it determined where people famous photo, captured by Sam Nzima, is now a symbol of
could live and work, whether people were permitted to drink police brutality. A museum and monument was established in
alcohol, what ambulance was you in an emergency and
Sowetoin Pieterson’s honor.
if a person needed a passport to travel. People of
Approximately 23 people (including 3 whites)
Much like
racial groups other than European were forcibly
were killed on the first day of the riots. Violence
the Kent State
removed from the homes and regions they had
continued into the night with armored police
lived in for centuries and sent to townships.
vehicles patrolling the area. Nonstop fire
students from the
The Afrikaans Medium Decree of 1974 1970 shootings, Sowetan was exchanged between Sowetans and
forced all black schools to teach half their youths paid the price for the police, with officers often shooting at
curriculum in English, and the other half in
random. Although there are varying reports,
Afrikaans. This may not seem like an important vocalizing their dissent
the total dead are estimated between 200
against the white
issue through our eyes, but it outraged many
and 600, with thousands more injured.
blacks. Why? Afrikaans was the language of the
The Soweto Riots are considered a catalyst for
oppressor.
oppressor. Originally stemming from Dutch, it is the
the beginning of the end of apartheid, even though
language of the white South African and a symbol of Dutch
civil and economic unrest continued into the late 1980s.
and British colonialism. Apartheid was then even dictating The riots sparked international pressure to end the regime,
what language they had to use.
which eventually collapsed by 1994.
The resentment of black youths in Soweto grew,
June 16 is now celebrated as
and on April 30 ,1976, students at Orlando
Youth Day.
West Junior School went on strike
This past January, I
and refused to attend school.
visited South Africa
This soon spread through
and toured Soweto.
Soweto, and the Soweto
I stood where
Students’
Representative
Hector Pieterson
Council (SSRC) was formed.
was shot and
They secretly organized a
killed. I visited the
mass rally and planned to
museum named
march peacefully from
in his honor. The
their schools to Orlando
youth of Soweto
Stadium.
stood up against
The rally
their
oppressors.
began as
Much like the Kent
planned
State students from
with
the 1970 shootings,
youths paid the price
for vocalizing their
dissent against the
white oppressor. They
have inspired me to ask
myself what I would do if
faced with something like
this. And now, I ask, would
[NEXUS] January - February 2007
you speak up?
Courtesy of Craig Allen
Rostrum
Phil’s creed: Live, laugh, love
I believe... the world of education—and life—according to Kurt Phillips
BY KURT PHILLIPS
1. I believe... all students can learn and learning should
be both challenging and fun.
My best students practice “good habits of learning.”
It turns out; good learning takes time, patience and
conscious awareness—like saying to oneself; where do I
need to go to get the answer(s) to my questions?
2. I believe... my job is to serve students, not the other
way around.
That said; after school everyday, I take the time to reflect
on what I did that worked in the classroom and what I
need to improve upon.
3. I believe... my goal is to help students reach their
highest potential.
I have always struggled meeting the needs of each of my
students. “Raising the bar” in the classroom has been, for
me, the toughest part of being a teacher.
4. I believe... most everything we learn in school should
have real-world applications.
If a salesperson at the store cannot sell you on the
notion that you need whatever
they are trying to sell—that
it will make you better or
happier—you will not
buy it. The same is true of
teachers and learning.
5. I believe... in the
“Golden Rule.” Do unto
others as you would
have others do
unto you.
If I have been
successful at my
trade it is
because
t h e
most important thing I learned was to treat teenagers
with all the respect I should (and do) have for adults.
6. I believe... (like the 20th century American
humorist, Will Rogers used to say); “I never met
a man I didn’t like.” The quote applies to women
too.
Always look for the best in people and remember that
nobody’s perfect.
7. I believe... it’s not what you say to someone, it’s
how you say it.
In his popular book, Emotional Intelligence, psychologist
Daniel Goleman tells us that it is not what you say, it’s
how you say it—that having emotional intelligence is
just as important as academic intelligence. I believe
Dr. Goleman might just have the keys to success and
happiness. They are: self-awareness, impulse control,
persistence, zeal and self-motivation, empathy and
deftness.
8. I believe... most all teacher-student conflicts
could be avoided (or at least, greatly reduced) if
the adult handled the conflict in a different way.
Teaching is an art that takes practice, patience, and
perseverance. I wish I could say the art of teaching
comes naturally. It does not. Like most everything
else, teaching involves a “learning curve.” It took me
seven or eight (long) years to figure out how best
to serve teenagers in American public high schools.
Once I learned to (appropriately) use humor, empathy,
and humility in the classroom, teaching became fun
and exciting.
9. I believe... humans are social animals and being
in high school is a great place to socialize.
Grady High School has been for me, a great place
teach, learn and socially interact. People in passing
often ask me; “Is Grady a good place to send my kid?”
And, I say without equivocation, “You bet it is!”
10. I believe… life is a journey and the joy is in the
journey.
One true purpose in life is to make a positive
difference in the lives of others. We need to
ask ourselves; “How can I help my family, my
friends, people at my work, my community?”
When you get to be my age, you will
probably ask yourself, in some small way,
have I made a positive difference? Most
educators know the answer.
Photo by Maddie Webb
9
Recently, it has seemed as if every Sunday night has its own glitzy,
star-studded award show on television. But now it’s Grady’s turn.
In its own unique no-glam style, Nexus is here to let you know
the best of what’s going on at Grady.
“...and The Golden Pencil goes to....”
Paul Katzman
I LIKE MY BEAT DOWN LOW: Sophomore Scott Bremer spends a lesson practicing Klezmer, or Jewish folk songs.
Keeping up with music theory and constantly improving his technique are crucial parts of Bremer’s evolving style.
BEST ECCENTRIC PERFORMER
W h i l e
computerdriven
beats
and the whine
of the electric
guitar
are
typical sounds
on
Grady’s
music
scene,
sophomore Scott
Bremer
prefers
the brazen hum of
a slightly different
instrument.
Bremer tells anyone
who asks that he
has been playing the
accordion since birth, but
if pressed, he will
admit that he
actually started
in 1999.
“I started
playing
because,
in my ignorance, I thought
it would get me the most
women; however, that
has [only] become more
true as I’ve gotten older,”
Bremer said.
Bremer’s
repertoire
encompasses much more
than the typical polka
label that most people file
the accordion under. He
plays the entire spectrum
of music on his bohemian,
and somehow dashing,
instrument, from Ridin’
Dirty and Laffy Taffy to
Purple Haze, as well as
traditional polka music—
Bremer is always looking
for a new tune to play.
Over the years Bremer
has begun to take his
hobby more seriously
and has begun to look at
possible money-making
avenues. Some of his
ventures have ended
poorly, such as his attempt
at soliciting his music in
Piedmont Park.
“I’ve done that once,”
Bremer said.“It ended with
someone threatening to
call the police for soliciting
without a permit.”
But things in general
are looking up for the
sophomore,
mostly
because
of
Grady’s
interest in the new and
diverse.
“I’ve had people ask
me to play in a lot of their
bands since I’ve come to
Grady,” Bremer said.
Bremer was scheduled
to play at The Grape Tree
Christmas
Countdown,
but the gig fell through.
Despite
the
setback,
Bremer is enthusiastic
about the future and is
looking to expand his
repertoire.
“I’m not that good at
Klezmer music,” Bremer
said. “My teacher’s always
yelling at me for not being
able to play it better.”
While Bremer plays
mostly
for
personal
satisfaction, it is uncertain
if his accordion playing
will remain a hobby or
turn
into
something
more. Whatever happens,
Bremer seems unlikely to
abandon his instrument.
“I would love to
continue spreading the
joy of the accordion,”
Bremer said. “I believe it is
the singular positive force
in America today.”
-Stone Irvin
11
BEST ON-THE-RISE VOCAL CONDUCTOR
The television set
in the Taylor house
flickered and hummed.
A pajama-clad John
Taylor played quietly
nearby, tuned out
from the rest
of the world.
The
program
changed,
and
suddenly on the screen,
an orchestra began to play. As Taylor’s
mother tells it, he immediately
stopped his game, walked over to
the television and began to conduct
the orchestra. He was three years old.
Though he’s never had professional
training, Taylor has been singing for
as long as he can remember, and his
attuned ear has led him to teach songs
and direct the chorus. He specifically
remembers the moment, six years
ago, when he was asked to direct his
church choir. He taught not only the
melody but several harmonies as well.
“I’ve
been
teaching
ever
since, and I love it,” John said.
Along with teaching parts to the
Grady chorus, Taylor was given free
reign to handle all the vocals for the
Black History production, rehearsing
with all the vocalists after school.
“I taught parts, helped with pitch and
made sure everything sounded right as
far as vocals were concerned,”Taylor said.
“The singers could already sing; I just
helped the different parts come together
to make the best sound possible.”
Taylor’s cousin David, who graduated
from Grady in 2005, has already
released a CD, and the boys are
hoping to set up their own studio
and record. Listen out—maybe Taylor
will soon be on a CD rack near you.
- Maddie Webb
Sam Johnson
Above, sophomore Pheobe Looman
(right) plays a violin duet at a music department concert. Left, senior John Taylor
(middle) instructs a vocalist for the Black
History production. Below, the Fat
Cats pose for a Cartoon Network
Courtesy of Demetria Kendrick
12
Courtesy ofJohn Manfredi
Courtesy of Crissy Valenti
Courtesy of Crissy Valenti
HIPS DON’T LIE: Above left, junior Chrissy Valenti works it in a photoshoot for her amateur dance troop at Nazeem Allayl bellydancing studio. Above right, Valenti performs at Nicola’s with her troupe, Nazeem Almassah, which means “breezes of the day.”
BEST BELLY DANCING, RUMP SHAKING MOVES
Although Crissy Valenti has not
always been a belly dancer, it’s always
been in her blood.
“The first time I got into [bellydancing], I was a toddler,” Valenti said.
“My dad used to be in a belly dance
band, and I used to see all the pictures
when I was little... I would put together
costumes and perform for my parents.”
It wasn’t until years later that Valenti
even considered adding belly dancing
to her dance repertoire, which includes
everything from ballet to hip-hop.
Valenti discovered Nazeem Allayl, a
belly-dancing studio, as she drove to
and from a nanny job in Candler Park.
She soon began to take one class a
week.
“One day after class, my teacher
asked me to join a new class that met
once a week to train for an audition
for the amateur troupe,” Valenti said.
“She told us that she thought we had
the potential to be professionals, so
instead of being put in a class to train
to be amateurs, we got put into a class
to train to be professionals.”
After a year and a half of preparation,
Valenti, known as Zaynab in the bellydancing world, was ready for her first
performance at Nicola’s Restaurant in
Druid Hills.
“It was really fun even though
I was pretty nervous before the
show,” Valenti said. “But it was twice
as rewarding because I got to make
money in tips.”
Valenti believes her belly dancing
adventure is a rewarding learning
experience that she will remember for
the rest of her life.
- Hannah Rosenbaum
BEST UNDERGROUND VIDEO PRODUCTION
It is said that
the beating of
a
butterfly’s
wings in a
faraway land
can cause a
storm
close
to home. In
Atlanta, in 2003,
a homemade tshirt created a
lifestyle.
Seniors John
Manfredi, Graem
Kinsella
and
Freshman
Grant Taylor
had
been
skating together for years,
when one fateful day, Kinsella
wore a homemade shirt with
two words on it: FAT CAT. Four
years, two skate videos and
two new members later
(Seth Berman and junior
Matthew Jordan), the Fat Cat
skate crew has made their
mark known around Atlanta.
“We started off just
goofing around and made
our first video,” said Manfredi,
the group’s camera man.
The first video was an
underground success and
the group became instant
celebrities in and around
Grady. The local sites and
familiar faces struck a chord
with those who saw the
video, and when combined
with the crew’s considerable
skill, the popularity of Fat Cat
skyrocketed.
Their second video was
released last summer to
rave reviews, and Fat Cat is
planning the release of a third
video and a line of clothing in
the near future. The video will
be the last before the group’s
seniors graduate.
“If people liked the second
video, the third is going to
blow them away,” Manfredi
said. “The second video
was good, but there are
things I would have done
differently.”
The new video plans to
focus more on the group’s
tremendous
ability
in
addition to paying homage
to Atlanta and their roots.
The soundtrack, previously a
smorgasbord of the group’s
favorite songs, will include a
mixture of music from The
Grape Tree, a collaboration
of Grady bands past and
present, in an effort to help
out both groups.
-Travis Jones
13
BEST OLD-SCHOOL, CLASSICAL MUSICIAN
Sophomore Phoebe Looman is one of
Grady’s most gifted violinists. Since her first
trip to the symphony with her mother in
kindergarten, Looman has been fascinated
with the violin.
Her impressive ability comes from an
accumulation of talent and dedication
over the past ten years. She began
private lessons when she was five years
old and continues to this day. Along with
lessons, she has participated in her elementary,
middle, and high school orchestras.
Not only does she play in school concerts, but she also
performs in a variety of other events here at Grady such as the
Chamber Orchestra and the upcoming musical production of
Westside Story.
“I would rather play in a quartet with a close group of friends
than alone,” Looman said. “But it’s fun playing less traditional
songs such as the Rolling Stones ‘Paint it Black.’”
She will take orchestra as her magnet emphasis and wants
to pursue her music through college and maybe even as a
future career.
“I often think about playing professionally since it is such a
huge part of my life,” Looman said.
Her talent has allowed her to audition for prestigious
programs such as All-City, All-State and the Governor’s Honors
Program.
Her hard work and passion for playing make her one of
Grady’s finest.
-Kala Marks
BEST MUSIC
PRODUCERS
Paul Katzman
14
Seniors Forrest Aguar and Gabe Klein-Kuhn and sophomore Dontavious
Blassingame mix tracks in Grady’s professional caliber recording studio.
Sit in the dark, cool atmosphere of a
fully functional recording studio, and
allow your jaw to drop in awe
as Grady students embark on
musical endeavors that would
put Jeezy, Bono, and even
the great Eddie Van Halen to
shame.
Seniors Forrest Aguar and
Gabe Klein-Kuhn, along with
newly-recruited
sophomore
talent Dontavious Blassingame,
can be found hiding out on
a daily basis in Grady’s own
recording studio, tucked away in
the Music Building. During their
7th period internship, KleinKuhn and Aguar mix and scratch
beats, create effects and record
original sounds by utilizing the
school’s high-quality musical
equipment, which is comparable
to that of professional studios.
From digital audio editing
software to a desk full of electronic
boxes and dials, these maestros of
melody craft masterful music.
The future of recording is now,
and the now is GHS.
- Brian Starnes
BEST BAND GEEKS
THIS CATEGORY WAS A TIE... SO YOU DECIDE.
If you’re at one of the Grady Knights football games,
you’ll not only notice the football players and the
cheerleaders, but you’ll also notice the Knights of Sound,
the Grady band. And you’ll notice Kolen Hatchett.
“I just naturally went to the drums,” Hatchett said. “As
a baby, my mom said that I would bang on everything:
pots, pans, the sofa, everything.”
Two and a half years of lessons from the age of six
exposed Hatchett to all kinds of drums, and he has
explored from there.
“I started learning on the African drums…now I play
snare, the [drum] set, every kind of drum.”
At Grady, he has been an influential force in the
marching band.
“He’s probably the best drummer at Grady,” said Dean
Jackson, a saxophonist in the Jazz band. “He’s got solid
rudiments, natural talent and the initiative to [learn].”
Hatchett said that he loves his experiences at Grady,
especially participating in the marching band and his
Jazz band class.
“Freshman year was probably my favorite year,”
Hatchett said.“Everything was new—the halftime shows,
everything.”
Hatchett’s college choice will determine if he will
continue to march. Some college possibilities, such
as Emory, don’t have marching bands. Florida A&M
University, another possibility, does have one
though.
“I’ll definitely miss [marching] if I go to Emory,”
Hatchett said. “If I go [to FAMU], I will play the
drums.”
Either way, he plans to major in biology and
hopes to become a doctor. Regardless of his choice
in college, Hatchett intends to keep drums in his life.
“I’ll always have music,” Hatchett said.
-Olivia Scofield
Sarah Beth McKay
A familiar sight at Grady pep rallies and
football games, Teanna “Big T” Holland, is
known for her prowess on the bass drum,
the basketball court and in track and field.
Introduced to the drums when she was four years
old through her church, Holland has been involved with
music throughout middle and high school. Narrowing her focus
from cymbals and the bass drum in 6th grade to just bass drum at
Grady, Holland can rightfully claim six years of hard-earned musical
experience on her resume.
“I’m inspired by my family, especially my mom and grandma,”
Holland said.“My mom did the same thing when she was in school:
basketball, discus and shot-put.”
Holland intends to get a music scholarship through her bass
drum playing and hopes to march for Alabama
State, Fort Valley or Albany State. One thing’s
for sure--wherever she goes, she’ll be playing
music.
-Paul Katzman
STRIKE UP THE
BAND: Left,
Kolen Hatchett
performs a drum
solo in the Grady
gym at the Feb. 11
fashion show. Right,
Senior Teeanna Holland
plays the drum at a halfime performance.
Carson
Hale
15
Couture
To the Beat of His Own Drum
16 [NEXUS] March, April 2007
“Marching Band Glam.” Personally, I thought this idea was
genius. We walked out with the models and performed
in the center stage together. It had an ancient feel to it.
Once we were finished playing and had all returned to the
shadows, the lights dimmed and the music stopped. The
show was a success in the making.
But the show didn’t end there. Soon after, there was a
presentation of the local fashion students’ products, which
were very stylish and clever. The actual pieces were plays on
words. For example, they put the picture of a cow on one
and the word “boy” underneath it. Not only that, but they
also had shirts that complemented each other. One was with
the text “tacky” and the other as “fancy”. Although I regret
not being able to see the rest of the show because I had
to perform again, I noticed the diversity and urban culture
contained in the pieces. The show combined all the aspects
of Atlanta and the South. The clothes were loose and free
just like the atmosphere of the show.
During most of the performance, the
band hung out in the black box theatre, which was
the temporary backstage. Some of the other band
members were more interested in the models than
the actual performance, but that was fine; I’m
sure they enjoyed the attention. I noticed
some bottles of Coke and Sprite in the back
and contemplated grabbing a few, but the
models seemed to need it more than I
did.
When it was finally time for the grand
finale, the drumline went in playing
‘You can call me Al’ by Paul Simon
and made two lines of people
so that the models could get
through.
About ten seconds into the
song, none other than Baton
Bob, a majorette ex-marine who
is a midtown legend, dazzled
us with his glittering presence. He
whirled and twirled in all directions. While we,
the band, were in musical harmony with the
world, the models, designers, and Mr. Martinez
-Scott King
It was 7:45 in the evening when the drum major came into
the band room. “We’re late,” he barked. “The fashion show
starts in 15 minutes!”
The drum line waddled to the back of the old gym (you try
running with a 27 pound drum set strapped on you), only to
find that the door was locked.“Someone go around and open
up the door,” I said, knowing well that nobody would. Finally,
amidst the tapping and rapping on the windows, a tall, dark
haired vixen appeared from the stairwell, descending from
the black box theatre. “You’re late,” she said with a twinge of
annoyance.
The black box theater was a bee’s nest of activity. There
were models putting on last minute make up and designers
making last minute adjustments. I could tell the frustration
they were going through just by their facial expressions. We
didn’t know what was going on, or have any idea of when we
were to perform. We hung around in the pandemonium a
little while longer until we met up with the director. “Glad
to see you guys,” he said.
The director quickly explained to us the sitaution. We
knew what we had to do. The lights in the gym went
dim; it was time. Under the cover of darkness, we snuck
into the back of the gym, hopefully undetected.
The lights flared up, and in response, the crowd
as well. There was a sea of people on both sides
of the gym. Indistinguishable faces. My feelings
of anxiety were quickly replaced by nausea, and
soon after, confidence. I loved that feeling.
The air was thick with tension and an old
sneaker smell. Judging by the age of the
gym, I would expect no less. I found it quite
creative, the use of the gym as a stage.
The gym itself was dark. Instead
of hanging the stage lights on
the 40-foot-tall ceiling, they
appeared to be on multiple
posts situated on the court.
These lights made me feel as if
the entire room was empty; as if I
was playing into a black abyss.
I somehow regained control over my sense of
reality and managed to maintain my composure.
Starting off the show was very simple: big and loud.
A grand entrance is key to a great fashion show
and this one would be no different. The drum line
and I were initially situated in the shadowed part
near the basketball goal. This was the awkward
moment where I thought everybody was
looking at me, though that wasn’t a bad thing.
Finally, the music started and that was our cue
to play as well.
The whole theme of the Fashion show was
himself presented themselves in a royal manner
and disappeared.
Like every show, however, this one came to an
end. Rather abruptly, I might add. I personally
thought that it was rather short. Short but sweet,
with a dash of spice. I finally got my slice of pecan
pie.
-Sam Johnson
Couture
an
t
Outfi ters, $24
e
trip
5
, $47
m
o
Luca Gadjus modeling for Dsquared
op
.c
Belt,
b
Ur
L. A.M
.B.
Ha
nd
ba
g,
sh
op
b
, $18.99
Jersey Capris, gojane.com
Olya Ivanisevic modeling for Dsquared
5
l, $
a
e
eadband, Wet S
H
d
Dsquared,
known
for
their trendy,
f a s h i o n
forward ideas
and for their
Spring 2007
ready-to-wear
line, has really
o u t d o n e
themselves.
So much so
that we want
to help you get
their look. By
mixing stripes,
bright colors,
oversized and
sexy pieces,
and a hint of
metallic, you
might be able
to pull it off as
well as they do.
y
sses, Allo , $10.5
a
l
g
n
u
S
0
Katia Shcheckina modeling for Dsquared
What’s Haute for Spring
S
Our New Favorite Pastime
With designers racing their Spring lines to the shelves and new
stores opening in Atlanta, it is becoming evident that homemade knitted pieces could be the hottest trend this season. We
aren’t the only ones pulling out our knitting needles; celebrities
do it too. Julia Roberts, Kate Moss, Cameron Diaz, Sarah Jessica
Parker and Iman are just a few of the many who have been
spotted not only knitting, but also sporting their creations.
Just because spring and summer will be arriving soon doesn’t
mean that you can’t knit yourself a cute bathing suit! Check
out Ashley Paige’s swimwear line at www.ashleypaige.com.
With the opening of the new store Knitch in Virginia
Highlands, yarn, needles and patterns are only a few blocks
away. Now they’re online too at www.knitchknitting.com.
Levi’s Goes Organic
As of November 2006, the notorious jean company,
Levi’s, has shown their eco-concious side. “Levi’s Eco”,
the new line of jeans is created using 100% organic
materials. The fabric is made of 100% organic fabric dyed
with natural indigo. They also include recycled rivets,
zippers and buttons. The tree-friendly line will have
several small details that make them unique including a
different tag above the back pocket created from...you
guessed it, organic materials. But that’s not all - their
newest line introduced for Spring 2007 and will include
more than just pants. Check it out at www.levis.com.
17
Couture
(404) - COU - TURE
A look at several of Atlanta’s trendy stores in the ‘404’ area code:
In August 2001, sisters and co-owners Jennifer
Arrendale, Jane Arrendale Sims and Julie Arrendale
Sims opened their boutique, Blue Genes, in a
complex near Lenox Mall. Little did they know
their small boutique would expand to be three
times the original square footage. Although the
duds aren’t all that affordable, the high-end brand
names are worth the price tags. With an emphasis
in the jean market, they offer brands like Citizens
of Humanity, True Religion and 3.1 by Philip Lim.
In just six years Blue Genes has gone online,
been mentioned in top fashion magazines
like Vogue, Lucky and Nylon, and even made
an appearance on MTV’s ‘My Super Sweet 16’.
-Caitlin Ahern
If you’re looking for brands like Dolce & Gabanna,
Marc Jacobs and Donna Karan in Atlanta, you generally have to drive to Buckhead. With the opening
of Knitch in Atlantic Station, your favorite designer
brands are just across the 17th Street Bridge. The
store, created by Ryan Glover, founder of the RyanKenny Clothing line, and Tamara Knechtel, brings a
taste of high-end fashion to Atlantic Station. Knitch
offers men’s and women’s clothing, accessories,
and home products. This is the store’s first location.
-Olivia Scofield
18 [NEXUS] March, April 2007
With a location in already in Decatur and a
new one at the bustling Edgewood complex, it
is becoming more and more clear to Atlantans
that Sole is the place to go to pick up some fresh
kicks. They offer a variety of options to cater to the
trendy including boots, pumps and wedges. They
also have comfortable alternatives for the more
laid back consumer.
Shoes aren’t all Sole offers. Other accessories can
be found including jewelry, belts and handbags.
From BCBG to Birkenstock, and with men and
women’s shoes, you’ll be sure to find something
at Sole.
-Caitlin Ahern
In the fall of 2005, Sherlita Patton and Tracy Valentine
opened the doors of P. Valentine to the public.
Located on Edgewood Avenue, their store offers
brands that are hard to find at other stores including
Joystick, Ynnub and Rachel Pally along with classics
such as Alice and Olivia, La Rok and Penguin.
“Our goal is to elevate the boring and
repetitive looks of yesterday and replace them
with a modern approach while encouraging
customers to remain true to their authentic
style,” stated co-founders Patton and Valentine.
P. Valentine was voted ‘Best new retail
boutique in 2005’ by Creative Loafing and
has celebrity customers including Outkast,
Kim Porter, Fozworth Bentley and Mase.
-Caitlin Ahern
Photos by Caitlin Ahern
Couture
Grady GlamourPhotos by Caitlin Ahern
For Grady’s fashion
elite, all the hall’s a runway. Modeling the latest in
urban style and creating trends
of their own,Grady’s fashion experts bring style to the school.
Clockwise from Left:
Senior
Jabari Fletcher in a coordinated
citrus and black sweatsuit, Senior Kyle Estes in a long fur coat,
Senior Natalie Streiter rocking a
shirtdress and leggings, Senior
John Manfredi in an Obey t-shirt,
and Sophomore Erica Eaddy prepares for the warm weather with
shorts and a long babydoll tunic
KEEP DRESSING FRESH AND YOU COULD BE IN THE NEXT ISSUE!
Caitlin Ahern
Word from the Wise
Have we reached the end of an
era? Could we be saying “bye
bye” to the big White T? Whoever
may be responsible - I want to
thank them. If you walk down
the Grady hallways you will spot
young men sporting dress shirts,
sweater vests and pants that
(almost) fit. It’s a preppy look with
a refreshing urban style. Relax,
no one’s sold out, just evolved.
By Vincent Martinez
Looks like Justin and Timbaland
did more than bring ‘sexy back’,
or perhaps it was Andre 3000’s
lyrics: “Your white tee, well to me,
looks like a nightgown. Do yo’
mama proud, take that thang two
sizes down.” Now with P. Diddy
and Jay-Z riding a similar fashion
wave and letting it flow into their
clothing lines, a trend, not a fad, is
born. Thank you boys.
19
Menagerie
B
R A N D H O R S T
I moved to Atlanta in 1993.
From the very beginning I
rode my bike (for I had no car)
past Grady stadium on nearly
a daily basis. It’s a very cool
stadium. One night there was
a soccer match happening.
10. Our stadium, with its space
age looking light towers is a
monument that, in part, defines
Atlanta. I have taught and
coached in all its spaces. It
embraces the memories of pain,
championships, and a couple of
life-threatening senior pranks.
Eventually I moved to Vedado
Way, across from Grady. I was
in Georgia State getting my
education degree and had to do
an observation paper on an art
teacher. I called the school and made
arrangement to meet the art teacher,
Ms. Kimball, who is now my wife.
9. There are some very friendly
ghosts in this building that pass
out fate like secret valentines. They
are quiet and at this moment are
giving you gifts that you won’t
find for some years to come.
Have you ever seen the movie
Gladiator? In it there is a scene in
which Marcus Aurelius is trying
to define the glory of Rome to
Maximus in a secret conversation.
He explains that “it is so fragile
that you could only whisper it”.
8. There is an unspoken quality to
the spirit that is Grady. No bumper
sticker or motto or t-shirt could
capture it. “Individually we are
different, Together we are Grady”
is a slogan from seven years ago
(and needs renovation). It is a spirit
that is both cynical and hopeful
simultaneously. Whisper about it in
short sentences then get on with
your business. There are things to do.
Martinez is the godfather of my child,
did you know that? Grishman is the
god-grandmother. Ms. Young and I
A
C
K
S
T
A
G
E
20 [NEXUS] January-February 2007
have watched sunsets over two oceans.
It makes it so much easier to enjoy
the job of teaching to have these
great and strong social connections.
We know each other as friends just
as you students do. Don’t forget that.
7. It’s all about the private jokes…
There was a day three years ago,
just after school, when I watched
a crane slam an earth moving
machine called a “Bobcat” right
through what was then Ms. Milton’s
room. It was the first work toward
the renovated Grady. After a week
there was a two and a half story
high pile of debris and lockers
poured from what was no longer
Mr. McCurdy’s room: creation borne
of destruction. Fast forward three
years and we wake up to new tile,
new pipes, personalized bricks, and
a brand new and strengthened
sense of ownership of each surface.
6. Build it and they will “enjoy
gestations al fresco... assuming
the weather in non-inclement’.
Willoughby once said to me that
she loved teaching “because it’s
the one job that can never be
really mastered”. At its best, the
learning (schooling) process is like
meteorology: trends, statistics, best
guesses, a thumb thrust upward
into the breeze… Imagine this place
if it were run in such a way as to
be truly predictable... how boring.
5. “Today is Tuesday but we are on
Monday’s schedule. Next week will
have no Mondays. The fire drill you are
hearing is a false alarm. It’s only real
if we tell you it’s real. Have a nice day.”
Remember the trailers (8 Mile)
in the front yard? Remember art
class and the cafeteria under the
stadium? Remember the fences, the
mud, the dust? Many of you have
survived perpetual renovation since
elementary school. Was it worth it?
The answer has to be yes. As schools
go, we have a wicked good situation.
If you don’t realize that yet, then
you don’t know how to be happy.
4. Doesn’t every school have
a professional grade sound
engineering studio and a television
station and a black box theater and
a dance studio and an Olympic
track and two Mac labs and a
college grade darkroom and…?
The architecture of the renovation
won a national award.
Glass
and atriums exposed structure,
the courtyard, and those fin
things on the façade toward
Eighth street provide a really
unique building to spend time in.
3. Who needs paper towels when
there are jet engines in the
bathrooms to blow your skin off.
I am all about the “content
of character” part of human
understanding. But we are also
a garden of many varieties.
Somehow we learn to see both
the inside and the outside of each
other and the intrinsic power of
both; sometimes with ease, and
other times with great difficulty.
2. Diversity, diversity, diversity.
Normal is for other people. Don’t
hate us because we are beautiful.
I feel very, very lucky to have
landed here. There are stories
flying around about other schools
these days concerning fights,
teacher attrition, AYP lists, and
other sorts of problems. They
have their victories as well, but
on the balance, we seem to just
have more of them. We have our
problems, but on the balance,
we just seem to have fewer. Ms.
Kelly often says, when things seem
most difficult, that “everything
is going to be O.K.” There is
a slow pace to this statement
and her hands wave back and
forth with each letter. “O…K…”
1. Somebody has to be the best
school in the city. It’s just how we do.
Menagerie
SUN
1
MON
2
Reunion
Tour @ Masquerade $5
8
April
TUES
WED
3
4
10
Sebadoh @
Variety Playhouse
Plain White
T’s perform @
Masquerade
SAT
6
7
cemberists @
Tabernacle
11
Anti-Flag
performs @
Masquerade
12
13
14
AP Art Show
Playhouse
16
22
5
FRI
Spring Break
9
15
THUR
23
The Killers @
Fox Theatre
17
George
Thorogood &
The Destroyers @ Variety
Playhouse
24
18
19
20
21
Jr/Sr Prom
25
26
27
Norah Jones
@ Tabernacle
28
Inman
Earth Day
29
30
Sam Johnson
21
Wes Smith