OPINION Sunday, January 17, 2010 www.lakecityreporter.com -OUR OUR OPINION Training top teachers isn't rocket science Early last week, President Obama announced a $250 million federal ini- tiative to enhance the nation's standing in the arenas of math and science. The bulk of that money will be used to train teachers who will, in turn, propel America from its middling standing in those subjects to leaders on the world stage. Maybe he should have vis- ited Columbia County first. Within limited resources, and certainly with no new millions pumped into the school system, our county consistently deliv- ers top-notch science and math students. The proof of this theo- rem: Columbia County's recent science fair, held for its seventh year at Lake City Community College. With a nary a true-but-tired exploding volcano in sight, our students used the scien- tific method to study ideas as diverse as germs found in a sink, the calculations involved in determining the energy in a rubber band and the science behind aerodynamics. And those were elementary school projects. Our senior students took slightly more complicated paths: the effects of solar heat on water, if and how gravity affects plant growth and the effect temperature has on the chemical reaction of luminol, by way of examples. Now we're not sure exactly what luminol is, although a quick Internet search exposes its importance in revealing things such as blood in a crime scene, but we are sure that it takes a strong mind trained by top teachers to prompt such a study in the first place. Money counts in a lot of things, but it doesn't take mil- lions of dollars to incite a love of learning in a young mind. It does take dedicated and resourceful teachers. We have such instructors in Columbia County - and the students to prove it. Lake City Reporter Serving Columbia County Since 1874 The Lake City Reporter is pub- lished with pride for residents of Columbia and surrounding counties by , Community Newspapers Inc. We believe strong newspapers build strong communities -"Newspapers get things done!" Our primary goal is to publish distinguished and profitable community-oriented newspapers. This mission will be accomplished through the teamwork of professionals dedicated to truth, integrity and hard work. Todd Wilson, publisher Tom Mayer, editor Troy Roberts, assistant editor Sue Brannon, controller Dink NeSmith, president Tom Wood, chairman LETTERS POLICY Letters to the Editor should be typed or neatly written and double spaced. Letters should not exceed 400 words and will be edited for length and libel. Letters must be signed and include the writer's name, address and telephone number for verification. Writers can have two letters per month published. Letters and guest columns are the opinion of the writers and not necessarily that of the Lake City Reporter. BY MAIL: Letters, P.O. Box 1709, Lake City, FL 32056; or drop off at 180 E. Duval St. downtown. BY FAX: (386) 752-9400. BY E-MAIL: news@lakecityreporter.com (- I Copyrighted Material SyndicatedContent ' PAvailable from Commercial News Providers 'I hope my letter helps someone' Note: The following letter was sent to a local teacher It is published with the letter writ- er's permission. Out of respect for his family, the sender's name has been deleted. To retain the letter's authenticity, no spelling or grammar mistakes have been corrected. was enrolled in the Lake City school in 1974-77. I was sent to the office many, many times for being bad. Small things but I know I was a pain in the butt. am writing this letter in hopes it will help someone. When I was in school, I never got into my books. But I did into smokeying. And in running the streets with so called friends. At first it was fun to drink, smoke pot, and my cigarettes, anything to feel big. But then in a year's time I found myself. Trying to quit the beer and pot. But could not. I was only 14 or 15. I start- ed stilling cigarettes to trade for pot. And stilling beer from my uncle. Then I began not to go to school at all. One day in school, you may remember, I ran away. I truly don't know why. But I did. I guess in away it made me big. At 16 1 quit school all together. Got me a job. And stayed drunk and smokeying my pot. I quit my job after only a short time. At 17 I was marryed for only one yer. Then I went into the army thinking it would help me. Only to be kicked out. At 18 I was arrested 4 times. 19 arrest- ed 3 times. 20 arrested 5 times. 213 times. And now I am in prison. I was marryed again just before coming to prison. To a 0 0 Morris Williams Phone: (386) 755-8183 williamsh2@firn.edu 372 W Duval St. Lake City, FL 32055 wonderful woman. I missed up her life. And I had 2 sons by her. I'm sure there life will not. be the best. Now I set back in this prison cell and can see. What did all the beer and pot do for me. Made me a quiter. Made me a thef. Made me dum. I can't spell very good. But maybe you can understand. If only I would have opened my eyes. I could have become anything. You know something funny. I always wished to be a police man. But all I ever did was hurt my Dad, Mom even my brothers and sisters. Everyone even you tried to tell me clean your acked up or you'll wind up in prison. Now here I.set. Looking a four cold prison walls. In a 6 x 10 cell. When I get out I'll be working very hard to reed new my life. But I'll have a number on my back. If only I would have used the most important years of my life to build a foun- dashon. If only I would have opened a school book instead of a beer can. Or trying to be kool by not going o school. One bet of good news. I'll be out in six months. And I found our Lord. I hope my letter will keep some young person from follow- ing in my footsteps." Summers time capsule Our Sesquicentennial Committee recently created a time capsule to celebrate Lake City's 150th anniversary. The students at Summers Elementary school created a time capsule 33 years ago in 1976 to mark our country's 200th birthday. It contained arti- facts from Summers and they buried it near the base of the flagpole at Summers. A granite slab marks the spot where it was buried. The inscription on the slab reads: "Summers School Time capsule, April 7, 1976. To be opened April 7, 2076." Billy's tree The Lake City/Columbia County Beautification Committee will honor W.C. (Billy) McDuffie Jr., by planting a tree in his memory during an Arbor Day celebration. This cer- emony will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 22, in Olustee Park. Billy's many friends are invited to attend. What is love? True love is when you tell a boy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday for a week. - Mary, age 7 * Morris Williams is a local historian and long-time Columbia County resident. * .. a A awBL Copyrighted Material Syndicated Content Available from Commercial News Providers ,Nmww~ 4 4A I f as 4 0 IV % I - so a . Go,.F, #%%age % f ft # a ........... ,i \ Jack Exum Phone: (386) 755-9525 jhe@netzero.net Wisdom, knowledge, 2 different things Earl: The last time you were with us, it was general feel- ing that we were "used." Serving one another and supporting one another is supported and directed in the Word of God. "Using or abusing" one another is the opposite of Bible instruction. Bearing each oth- er's burdens is good; bearing each other's responsibilities is not good. Brothers and sisters are the support team for each other. We are not your support team any more than you are our support team. Personal responsibilities belong to the individual. I cannot call on you to bear my responsibilities and you cannot and should not call on others to bear your own responsibilities. Here are the specific areas that we are speaking of: Brethren have agreed to aid you in the transition of being in jail and fitting back into society. We have agreed to pay your first month's rent. This is the extent to which the church has agreed to help you finan- cially. Money matters will now become your responsibility. Your living quarters are close to all you need. Walk to work, walk to buy groceries, to tend to needs. The committee will certainly try to assist you in attending services. If your first job will not give you the hours you need to sustain your life, then go for a second job or even a third one if it's just part time. Your per- sonal budget must be handled by you. This is your personal responsibility. What is most needed now is to rebuild your relationship with the congregation. This when each day you tend to business. No big emergen- cies. No financial support. No breaking rules or probation. Putting first things first and taking complete control of your own life. It will take time to rebuild this relationship but it will happen if you put forth total effort Loving each other is one thing - bearing responsi- bilities of others when they should bear them for them- selves is another. Our love and confidence in you will grow back in time. If it doesn't, then--- the future looks dim at best. The present and future is in your hands. God bless. * Jack Exum has two books available free 'at the Lake City Reporter office. He is an Amy-Award-winning religious writer and resides in Lake City.