Letters To The Editor

Dear Editor,

I am a BHS graduate of 2001 and saw your column about "heroes" and just felt compelled to write in. When I saw that there were so many educators leaving the school district I was a little saddened. It felt as though some of my hero's growing up were gone. The biggest loss to me was the loss of Tony Volentine. I know his past several years have been out of the public spot light as AEP principal but his retirement seemed to go unnoticed by this paper and the community. Here is a man that has spent over half of his life serving the community and all he got was a cheap plaque and a pat on the back. It hurts me to see such devotion go uncelebrated. He was a mentor to so many people during one of the most important time in a person's life, the start of their teenage years. He can be given so many names; teacher, coach, mentor, Mr. V, but to me he is just Papaw. He is the type of hero everyone should have.

Jason Bragdon, Columbus, Ohio

Letter to the Editor:

This is in response to the article you published on Coach Frederick. What can I possibly say about Coach that has not already been said? I am pleased and honored to say that I was not only coached and taught by Chris, I was also co-worker. He is someone who has to grow on you.

After being yelled at on the basketball court (you remember coach) I had the "pleasure" of being on the golf team. As a mere freshman, it seemed like a good way to get out of track season. He made us listen to oldies in the station wagon, van or car. But he also taught me how to be a team mate.

I was coached for four years in golf and I am pretty sure I learned more about Coach in that time that any one student should know about their teacher.

Golf carries with it life lessons, like the time Coach got his shoe stuck in the tree (#9 Echo); ask him how he retrieved it. Or the time he was out-eaten by a short, 100 pound girl (those ribs were good!). Most of all I would like to thank Coach for believing in me when I did not believe in myself. He was at the Junior High the day I had my interview, scared to death, not sure what to say.

Thanks for helping me make the decision to teach. Although I no longer teach at the Junior High, I want to thank you and Coach Talley for the time I spent as a teacher and for being not only my teacher but a friend. I hope to see you on the golf course!

Thanks for the Great Memories, Tracey Barrentine