We experienced an unusual temperature inversion yesterday. The high temperature for the day was recorded at 12:05 a.m. It was 71 degrees and balmy. The low temperature for the day was recorded at 7:05 a.m. It was 54 degrees with a wind chill factor that made it feel much colder. Weather in Florida in the Fall and Spring is extremely unpredictable. Voting for a school's Homecoming King and Queen can be just as unpredictable...
This was my first Homecoming as the Director of Choral Activities at Fletcher Senior High. I graduated from Fletcher and have attended numerous Homecoming games over the years, but last night was very special. Several years ago, I sat in the stands and witnessed something that touched me to the very core of my being. A young lady was crowned Homecoming Queen. The crowning of a queen is part of the pageantry, however, this young lady had Down's Syndrome. I was deeply touched by the choice the students made that year and was extremely proud to have been part of Fletcher's legacy. The students were able to look past this young lady's disability and honor her in this way. It was a beautiful sight to behold.
Several weeks ago, a young man came to me and said, "Mrs. Tamburrino, you have to make sure that Roger gets on the Homecoming ballot. He can win this thing and he deserves it." I said to this young man (who was also a senior and I was fairly certain he would be running against Roger), "I am sorry, but your request is out of my control. It is up to the chorus students to nominate our candidates." Needless to say, Roger was nominated to represent Chorus along with another very dear student, Maggie. I taught Maggie in elementary school and she is one of the most hard-working and dedicated individuals you will ever meet. I felt that they would represent our organization well and was pleased to place them on the ballot. The part that not everyone knows is that both of these students have learning disabilities that they must work hard to overcome on a daily basis. I admire their courage and I admire their tenacity. They work so hard and are such an integral part of the Chorus, I am honored to be their teacher.
If you have attended a Fletcher football game in the past four years, you have seen Roger. He positions himself on the outside of the track right in front of the Fletcher Dance Team. He knows every routine and he dances the entire game. Last week was his final opportunity to dance with the girls. With 5 minutes left in the game, I watched as the dance teacher made her way down to Roger, reached into her gig bag, gave him a pair of purple pom-poms and opened the gate for him to walk out onto the track and dance in the line with the dance team. I burst into tears. It was one of the most touching moments I have ever witnessed at a football game. Roger was beaming with excitement and I thought nothing could top this. I was wrong.
Last night, the students of Fletcher Senior High School did it again and Roger was crowned Homecoming King 2013. Candidates are not allowed to campaign for this honor, so the outcome really lies in the hands of the student body. I was so proud of Roger and so proud of the students at Fletcher. Their ability to look outside themselves and choose to honor a peer in this way is something very special. When they announced his name, the crowd went wild I was so grateful to have been a part of it!
Fletcher Homecoming King 2013
Roger with his trophy
(the young man who came to me and asked me
to make sure Roger made it on the ballot is
standing in the background in his tuxedo
with that HUGE grin on his face.)
Parade around the track
I would also like to honor several nominees who were placed on the ballot by other clubs and organizations. These students sing in my top vocal ensemble and deserve to be recognized here as well.
- Phillip
- Brad
- Sara
- Logan
- Ellie (stand-in)
- Jack (2nd Runner Up)
I am so proud of each of you!!!!!!
Until next time...
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