Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

Page 10A Wodnosday, April 27.1 994"H0u5t0n Times-Journal Letters, from 4A 1956. The winning school in 1957 was Perry High School, under the direction of Mrs. J. O. Coleman. To be forever memorialized as the second entry in the Hall of Barkley Forum Champions is a singular honor for Perry High School. Perry High School seems to have always had a highly competitive speech and debate program, boasting celebrated alumni such as Senator Sam Nunn, who is listed in the 1956 Perry Yearbook as Secretary- Treasurer of the Speech Club. Perry shares a rich tradition of success in speech and debate with Warner Robins High School, Northside High School, and, most recently, Houston County High School. The success of our debating teams has also enhanced the reputation of our schools and the Houston County School System in general. For the record, Houston County is the only school system in Georgia to have sent three teams to the State Debate Championships for the last two years. In 1993, the schools were Houston County, Warner Robins, and Perry. In 1994, Houston County took first place in the State AA classification for the second consecutive year. Northside placed Second in AAAA and Perry placed fourth in AAA. No other school system in Georgia can make that claim. There should be no question that the Houston County School System has been well served by extremely competitive interscholastic debating programs in our high schools for decades. I have frequently been told by our graduates that they actually learned far more in debate than in ’'gifted" or "college prep” classes. This is consistent with comments from my colleagues throughout the Nation. I saved an article from the Christian Science Monitor in 1985 that drew a similar conclusion. "Again and again students comment that forensics is one of the most worthwhile programs in their high school experience. They see speech and debate as contributing to their overall academic and personal growth in substantial ways." I have watched our graduates pursue successful careers in education, business, law and even medicine. I would estimate that our graduates have literally received hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarship money from colleges and universities. As to the educational value of debate, those who have been involved with the activity offer impressive testimonials. Dr. Ted Wolf (Principal of North Springs High School) recently presented an address to a national group of debate coaches at Emory University. Dr. Wolf described interscholastic debate as the single, most effective method of teaching critical thinking skills to high school students. I was quite impressed last Spring as I listened to Governor Zell Miller in the Northside High School Library, and later in my classroom. Governor Miller described his experience with debate as the most important element of his education in high school. The Governor gave much of the credit for his success to training in debate. He spoke with considerable pride of the fact that his debate coach was present at his inauguration as Governor. As someone who has been involved with interscholastic debate, either as a student or coach, for over a quarter of a century, I would add my own voice to those of Dr. Wolf and Governor Miller. I am reminded of statements by John F. Kennedy in 1960. "The give and take of debating, the testing of ideas, is essential to democracy. I wish we had a good deal more debating in our educational institutions than we do now." Bruce Rogers, NHS Debate Coach President, Ga. Debate Coaches Association Subscribe Today - Call 987-1823 <nania2EEt© s^sy** 8 * .—sloo QUEEN ANNE "OLD TIME" 5-PC. DINETTE *Ol IJfllW’iyfmilHlH CLIDER/ROCKER I}§ Jf Features a glass table top SOFA & LOVESEAT Ext™ padded uphoM«v«th BW m and 5 side chairs with padded seats. charming country look i comfort. caW On Both Pieces 2 - p - g* «® price ' p ~ * s * J ■Tlllll Covered In e beautiful & luxurious 100% nylon velvet. SOLID OAK am CASUAL (AAA PORCH CONTEMPORARY *9QO sw * uwjwci COLOR TV SOFA - mt, tf f f Constructed of sturdy solid oak, this Remote control with access tuning, on-screen 4-PIECE SOLID PINESAf|H EARLY AMERICAN ▼HXR BEDROOM 00(9 • Queen/Full Bookcase Headboard 2-p c . • Triple Dresser • Hutch Mirror Group • Nightstand • Matching Chest $349 Pric * 4-PC. BLACK LACQUER % A Aft CONTEMPORARY BEDROOM • Queen/Full Mirrored Headboard 2 Pc • Dresser • Double Mirror Group • Nightstand • Matching Chest $199 Plic • ROCKER RECLINER *7l 4*9 This plush highback rocker rechner is covered in soft & durable brown velvet fabric for years of comfort >] | | [J[r^ your choice tmmm OAK FINISH fCIISI BROYHILL JOO U ™ This group features a honey oak finish accented by brass finish hardware & embossings. Your choice: Table & 4 side chairs or china We need a new high school Dear Editor: On Thursday, March 24th, concerned parents and citizens of Perry gathered at Perry Middle School to address the issue of overcrowding at Perry Middle. Tony Hinnant and some members of the Board of Education were present We realize that all middle schools in Houston County are very overcrowded and there needs to be relief from the trailers and port-a potties that are now in place at all the middle schools. To relieve the overcrowding a construction of a new middle school was approved and will be built in the Hwy 96 and Bonaire area. This will hep eliminate much of the conditions in Warner Robins but does very little for the school in Perry. The children will have to continue to begin eating lunch at 10:30 a.m. and the last at 2 pm. because the lunchroom and kitchen area are not large enough to support the almost 900 children. The new wing will not hep the situation for lunch, media center and other areas tint cause problems for that amount of children. We want our children to be together and not bussed six or 12 miles away. We are Perry folks with the togetherness to make things happen. We know that we are only 22 percent of Houston County, but we are a part of Houston County. One board member mentioned the fact that they have their offices in perry and that the north Houston County folks were furious that they may have to come to the Perry office. I work in Centerville and a great many folks work in Warner Robins and we make the drive everyday. They think we ask too much to have them come to Perry. We are grateful for the fact that they are renovating the old Perry annex for their new offices and the city of Perry can expand to their old office building. After two hours of attitudes and dismay of the board of education, Hubert Hutcherson stood up to let us know how to get involved. First, attend the Board of Education meetings and to voice your opinion; second, try to get a bond referendum to build a new school. And third, back your children into getting a better education. We need to vote into the Board of Education, three more people from the Perry area who will fight for us. He did mention the fact that we need a new High School in Perry the size of Houston County School somewhere in the North side of Perry of the Perry Parkway and then move Perry Middle to the existing Perry High where there is a capacity of over 900 students. This is really what we should be fighting for. Not another middle school, but a new larger high school where we can grow. The middle school could then be turned into another elementary school. Think about Perry. It would solve two major problems in Perry and keep our students together. The power of the people needs to join together and do this. The board of education should not build two middle schools but one, and use the other funding for a new high school in Perry, therefore eliminating the overcrowding in Perry and give us a chance to grow. Please join together to build another Perry High and not the effort of another middle school. We must unite together for the benefit of all students in Perry. Sincerely, Annie Bacon cordlSs SAA telephone • 10 Channel Switchable • 20 Number Memory ,M ' • Extra Charging Cradle • 2-Way Page/Intercom COMPACT MICROWAVE 11) || OVEN ■vy 3BAVB *3O Full electronic touch controls, 10 power levels, four stage memory cooking & auto-start 1 fW m i »i' n * With approved credit. Terms & prices do not apply to prior purchases. All Items in limited quantity & subject to prior sale. Ask for details & conditions on Caribbean Vacation & Family Get-A-Way. FARMERS FURNITURE 1010 Main Street • Perry • 987-3058 Don’t Forget gfi | Mother’s Day - May Bth gv jf^opmQiLuifigi Come see our selection {J of unique country gifts I for that special Mom! 1 Shop Early jM While Selection is Best! if Located at the Perry Marketplace Ml (next to Kroger) H 988-3112 gg Hrs: M-Th 10-6 • Fri-Sat 10-7 • Sun 1-5 |a|| Closed Mother’s Day 1 J» Maximize your CD investments in 1994. • Federally insured to SIOO,OOO • Estate feature • NO COST • Borrow against your CDs if necessary. j||| . Afl S Edward D. Jones & Co. 9 M«"*W N»W Yorti Stock Exftang*. me. and Sacudfa kwmtor ProMcHon Corporation 1-Year 4.30 % A py* 4.30 q/„ Simple Interest 3-Year 5.267 % apy* 5 i 550 /o Simple Interest 5-Year 5.508 04 APY* 6.15 °l Simple Interest * Annual Percentage Yield Call for more information. Jo Arment-Crumpacker 1023 Ball Street, Perry, Georgia 31069 912-987-0801 or 1-800-755-5938 • May be redeemable prior to maturity with substantial interest penalty. • Issuer's name on request. Subject to availability. • Minimum $5,000 • Effective 4-20-94