Sunday, May 23, 2010

Carver Recreation Center Community Service Awards

PICTURES AND TEXT COURTESY OF HIS PRODUCTION TOO PHOTOGRAPHY


Click here to see pictures of the Carver Recreation Center Scholarship Awards Banquet.

On May 20, 2010 Carver Recreation had a celebration acknowledging community service members for their help, as well as the academic progress made by its youth and the community. The guest speaker was Pastor Vincent Dial who spoke to the students under the title of "And Then They Were Gone." He was referring to the students that were graduating and moving on to college, the next grade, and in life. He stated that they need to have a relationship with their God, faith in their belief, and the right attitude in order to be successful.

Awards were also given out to the undefeated kickball team; and the T-Ball championship team.

The William Melvin Stevens Scholarship Award were given out to 8 deserving students.

Awards in the following categories were also given out:

Paul E. Christman Award
Charles McConnell Award
Progressive Young Men Award
Robert McKinney Award
Charles F. Moncrief Award
Dorthy Christman Award

Congratulations and Best Wishes for a successful future.
From: Carver Recreation Center, Johnson City Parks and Recreation, and the William M. Stevens Scholarship Committee.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Times-News Wants Our Input on Use of Rebel Flag at South High

THE TIMES-NEWS NEEDS OUR OPINIONS ON THE USE OF THE REBEL FLAG AT SULLIVAN SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL. SULLIVAN SOUTH IS LOCATED ABOUT 2 MILES FROM RIVERVIEW. SCIENCE HILL HIGH SCHOOL HAS ALREADY ASKED THEM NOT TO BRING THE FLAG TO GAMES PLAYED IN JOHNSON CITY. WE NEED TO RESPOND ACCORDINGLY TO THE USE OF THE FLAG AT SULLIVAN SOUTH. PLEASE SEND YOUR OPINIONS TO THE NEWSPAPER AT THE ADDRESS BELOW:

FROM THE EDITORIAL PAGE OF THE KINGSPORT TIMES-NEWS, MAY 20, 2010


In schools here and elsewhere, mascots are beloved symbols that are used to identify and rally support for various sports teams.
But what if the choice of a sports mascot is more divisive than unifying? Should it be changed?
That, in essence, is the question outgoing Sullivan County Director of Schools Jack Barnes says a special committee at Sullivan South High School will be examining over the summer.
Sullivan South’s nickname of longstanding is the Rebels, and its mascot is known as Col. Reb, a caricature of a gray-uniformed colonel with a mustache and goatee in the Confederate Army. Although the school has never officially adopted the rebel flag’s use, fans commonly wave them at home football games and display them on vehicles outside the school on game days. Barnes says the school system has received a complaint from at least one individual who finds display of the flag as part of a school-sponsored activity offensive.
That’s why, Barnes says, that a committee consisting of South faculty, South administrators, a Board of Education member as well as a Central Office representative has been tasked to address the issue.
“Our whole point is to try to have an environment people don’t consider hostile or harassing,” Barnes explains, adding that applies to South students, the community, and students and community members who visit the school for football and other events.
One possible option, Barnes says, would be to substitute the school’s official flag for the rebel flag at football games.
No matter what the Sullivan South committee eventually decides, it’s a sure bet the choice will be an emotional and controversial one.
On one side are students and other longtime fans who embrace the rebel flag as a positive symbol of courage, tenacity and spirit. On the other side are those who regard the rebel flag as a painful reminder of slavery, or at least as a racially insensitive symbol that has no place in a modern and culturally diverse society.
In the interests of beginning a public discussion, we’d like to know what readers have to say about this controversial subject.
Is display of the rebel flag at South High School a harmless, even positive example of school spirit or an unacceptable example of bigotry that needs to be eradicated?
We believe this issue, like all public issues, is best served by a rigorous, respectful dialogue where everyone’s views and concerns are given a chance to compete in the marketplace of ideas.
We’re eager to hear from you.
Send us your letter (less than 300 words) to the editor to 701 Lynn Garden Dr., Kingsport, TN. 37660 or contact Managing Editor Ted Como at tcomo@timesnews.net. Please be sure to include your address and phone number. We call to verify all letters to the editor.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Johnson City Transit offers Free Ride Week

• JOHNSON CITY — Johnson City Transit is offering citizens a chance to try public transportation for free. All fixed-route fares will be waived from Monday through May 29. May monthly passes have been reduced to $16.50 because of Free Ride Week. For more information, call 929-7119 or visit www.johnsoncitytransit.org.

Saturday, May 8, 2010



Top high school athletes from across the region converged at Sullivan North on Friday for the 32nd Times-News Relays. At left: Science Hill’s Ryan Mitchell completes his winning leap in the boys long jump. Just below: Dobyns-Bennett’s Haley Phipps, center, reaches for the baton while starting the final leg of the girls 4x100 meter relay — which D-B won;









At Bottom: From left, Nick Groves of Patrick Henry, Sullivan South’s Seth Watterson and Appalachia’s Forrest Stuart vie for the lead in the boys 110-meter hurdles at the
32nd Times-News Relays at Sullivan North on Friday. Stuart won the event.

Monday, May 3, 2010

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