Thumbs up

Dear Editor:

On March 6, I was privileged to attend the March band concert at Gallia Academy. One word spilled out of my mouth after almost every song: “Impressive!”

All three bands that performed — jazz, junior high and senior high — performed in an absolutely outstanding manner. For me it was one of those occasions when I was not in a hurry to leave, but wished for more. The Gallipolis City school system is to be congratulated for its obvious commitment to a quality music program.

Although the music was great, it is not the music alone that prompted me to write this letter. Most impressive to me was a simple, almost unnoticeable, gesture by the Jazz Band director toward one of his students. In the final jazz number a saxophone player was featured in a short solo. As far as I can tell, she performed the piece flawlessly. Already impressed by the director’s style in directing the Jazz Band, I noticed as he eased over towards the soloist just as she was completing her solo. In an almost unperceivable flash the director placed his right hand next to his chest and gave the young lady a “thumbs up.”

As quickly as the director have her his sign of approval, the saxophonist, while still playing, rolled her eyes up at the director’s affirming gesture and flashed a subtle smile. That momentary style indicated to me how meaningful his approval was to her. We all need and crave the approval of others.

His gesture, and her subsequent smile, was a moment of inspiration for me! For the director, his affirmation was a simple act; for the student it might well become a defining moment. Long after she has forgotten the solo that brought his smile of approval, she will remember the moment when her director congratulated her on the stage. She was a success — her teacher told her so! Despite the possibility of nervousness, feelings of self-doubt, or other obstacles, she pressed on and pleased the one person whose approval meant more at that moment than anyone else — her teacher.

Teaching is hard work and demands more than just the emotionless transfer of knowledge from the teacher to the pupil; true teaching requires an investment in the pupil. It has been said, “People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care.” The teacher may be incredibly gifted and intelligent, but the door to the student’s mind will remain locked without genuine concern for the student.

Genuine concern is what this band director demonstrated for his soloist. The success of the concert would have been just as great had he never shown his approval of his performance. His peers, the principal and the parents would still have congratulated him on the performance of the band had he not commended his young soloist. True leaders, however, never consider themselves successful until they lead others into success. At the moment he flashed his “thumbs up,” he left the realm of educator and became a teacher; he wasn’t just the band director, he was her director. May his kind increase! Mr. Band Director, teacher, I applaud you! Thumbs up! You did a great job!

Mark Polley

Gallipolis

Disturbing

Dear Editor:

We live in a mobile home park where almost everyone gets along rather well with one another. We have neighbors that own a large dog and have no consideration, common courtesy, or respect for their neighbors.

In the first place, a dog this large should not be in a mobile home. It is just cruel to the dog. I have called the landlord, dog warden, sheriff's department and the county commissioner with no solution to the problem. In warm weather, we cannot open our windows because of the smell from the dog waste. They have finally placed the dog in a large pen, which just happens to be under my bedroom window. It barks ALL hours when left outside.

My husband and I both are disabled and are getting no rest. I have tried talking to the neighbors but just get yelled at with a lot of swearing. The landlord just says work it out with them.

I want to know if there are any county officials in the county that aren't afraid to address this issue! We are not the only tenants that the dog disturbs.

Brenda Cook

Gallipolis

Wondering

Dear Editor:

I would like to ask a few questions. First, doesn’t Gallipolis business accept Gallia County Local parents’ money? Last time I was in town I don’t remember them asking if I was a county parent or city. So why do some businesses only put Gallia Academy stuff in their windows? I once asked one business why. Their response was that county kids don’t come in and buy things like Gallia Academy.

Question: If they don’t have county school items, how are we to buy them? But let me be fair. Some stores have items, but they are in the back of the store. Is that fair? Why not take turns with different schools in the window?

When growing up you are taught to share, at least we were in the county schools. When you go into some places they have Gallia Academy things. I asked them why don’t they have South Gallia things and their response was, we only support Gallipolis. Then why do we support them?

The county schools are just as important as Gallia Academy. We have great kids and great schools. We deserve the same respect as Gallia Academy gets, don’t we?

A proud South Gallia parent,

A. Clagg

Crown City