Published: October 24, 2009 11:50 pm      

Vandalism not tolerated in our community

Fantastic Fridays column

PALESTINE — Fantastic Fridays 10

Community and Staff,

A few weeks ago Doug Lowe, Anderson County District Attorney, called a town hall meeting to address the city wide issue of graffiti. Calling this meeting was brave because you can imagine the only people that attended, other than city or governmental officials, were our local citizens that had fallen victim of others defacing their personal property. This week PISD also became a victim of the same vandalism.

The reason for beginning this message discussing such a heinous and cowardly act is because the PISD maintenance department is the best in the world! Our men were out this morning at the Middle School combating rain and the elements to keep our schools clean and graffiti free. This incident is the first case of graffiti, on a large scale, in over a year, and we are proud to report that fact. We are disappointed that someone would think this was acceptable, and we are offering a reward to anyone leading to the arrest of the perpetrators. Not only did our maintenance department do a great job, but so did our district school resource officer Patti Reid who has been investigating this act.

What makes me so proud is to hear the multitudes of students who were angered at this act of vandalism, and who said they would find out who did this and report it because they did not want their schools destroyed. To all the students at the middle school who showed disappointment in this act, “thank you!” . To the teachers and students at the middle school, my promise to you is, we will prosecute the offenders when caught to the highest extent of the law.

For those out there that claim graffiti and defacing property is an art form, I disagree. Art is a form of expression for the pleasure of others. For example, this week Palestine High School swept the top honors for the Palestine Herald Press Design-An-Ad Contest for the second year in a row. Travis Andrews took 1st and 3rd place for his All-Star Ford and Cutshaw Chevrolet ads. Chris Rainbolt placed 2nd with his Clothes Garden ad. The Design-An-Ad flyer, with many of our student artists represented, will be included in this Sunday’s edition of the Palestine Herald Press. Please join me in congratulating our talented youth!

Not only did the high school students make us proud with their art, but so did Story Elementary. Below is a list of Story Elementary winners who won the design an ad contest. Ashley Middleton, Jasmine Davis, Macy Stone, Ashleigh Martinez, Ciera Shook, Stetson Herod, Samuel Serrano, Esther Jeffus, Yahaira DeSantiago, Valerie Rangel, Abraham Cruz, Katie Stone, Macey Everhart, Charlee Cockrell, Nicholas Calhoun, Rosario Guzman, Keaton Braden, Wesley Meazell, Brenda Garcia, Maria Morales, and  Overall winner Stetson Herod-2nd place –Won $50.00. Congratulations to art programs at the High School and Story Elementary!

As you begin your next week I challenge you to take a sense of pride in your community, school, job, church and begin living the Uncommon life we have discussed before. The following was written by Warren Heart (2007) where he discusses taking pride in all you do. “If you’re going to do something, do it right. One simple technique for getting a task done right is to take pride in a job well-done. When you look at your work in all areas as a reflection of yourself, representative of who you are and what you’re about, you’ll find it much easier to become motivated to get something done, and done well.”

I also want to remind you that you can always read our PISD blog to keep current on daily activities. Just click on http://www.palestineschools.org/blogs/twallis.

Remember that what we do is a reflection of who we are inside and as always remember what is important in life.

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Thomas A. Wallis, Ed.D is the superintendent of Palestine ISD.