Look on the Names and Faces page.

The how to decide who goes first part: Start with the oldest high school in the county, then the next oldest, and so on. The next year, rotate so the 2nd oldest goes first, etc, and then the next year, the third oldest goes first. And so on and so forth. The only fair way to do it, I think.

Yes, I've been to the ceremonies, at 3 of the 5 high schools in our county (different years). The least awful was McIntosh, because it was the most efficient. The worst was Starrs Mill, where just last night it was an hour and 15 minutes into the ceremony before they even started handing out diplomas, and they had the principal (who could not speak proper English, ie "ax" instead of "ask" and "facuhty" instead of "faculty" and much stumbling over other words).

Right now, all the schools graduate at either 6pm or 8pm. What is the point of even having the 2 different times? It isn't like you can make it from one school to another in that time period, if you need to (say, if you have 2 nieces graduating at the same time).

What did they do the first hour and 15 minutes if they didn't call names for the graduates? That's crazy!

Also, I have heard several people comment on the inability of the Principal at Starr's Mill to speak proper English. How sad that John DeCotis and the Board of Education would to put someone like that in charge of what is/was arguably the finest high school we have in Fayette County.

Are you saying that this was the case again during Graduation in front of the entire student body, the parents, and the ceremony last night?

What kind of example does that set for our kids? Is John DeCotis telling us that with all the highly educated and articulate people in the school system this is the best we have? I know at least a few Administrators in the county that are very intelligent and well spoken. What happened there?

It's hard to "expecks" the students "be sussessful" when you "Ax" someone a "quershion" who "be answer" you with "mines" opinion in a venecular that "yous" can't "be" relate "on". In our schools for crying out loud? Lord help us all.

I have heard the principal from Starr's Mill High School speak in a 'personal' situation. I did not hear her at the recent graduation. I must admit - those of us who are not from the 'south' find it difficult to understand many articulate speakers. You all seem to say 'ax' instead of 'ask'. Oh well . . . . The southern drawl and Ebonics seems to blend here - and to the ear that is unaccustomed to the local speech pattern - it doesn't seem to matter the heritage of who is doing the speaking.

I was born and raised in Georgia and proud of it. I don't know anyone who says ax instead of ask.

We were taught manners, and to say yes sir, no sir, yes ma'am and no ma'am.

Sometimes I find it very difficult to understand people not from the south.

Ya'll have a nice day.

I guess the 'sound' is in the ear of the hearer. I have trouble hearing anyone here with a pronounced southern accent add the 'k' to ask - but it really doesn't matter to me. You're right - I love the manners and friendliness of the southern culture. Many, many 'yankees' and 'westerners' will be coming to the south for the slower pace and the polite culture.

is strictly 'black' lingo, or ebonics if you wish, mom, and it's clear you haven't been in the 'south' long enough to learn what most people know before they get here. There is no mingling of the slurred black ebonic tongue and the southern 'drawl'! Hang around, y'all will learn eventually.

By the way, Delta is still ready when you are.

Having grown up Southern, by the grace of God, doesn't lend itself to understanding ebonics/black lingo. Although there are some Southerners, black and white, I can't understand because their drawl is so thick, ebonics is totally different and separate and not limited to being used only in the South. I had a teacher in middle school who pronouced "orange" as "urng;" "chain" as "change;" and "didn't" as "d-ent."

Not every comment mentioning the color of one's skin is racist. What makes it racist is how it is used. Sometimes a fact is just a fact.

You are absolutely correct. Ebonics is non-standard English RECENTLY designated as a dialect spoken by African Americans. Alice Walker wrote 'The Color Purple' using this vernacular. Early African American poets, (Langston Hughes) etc., used this vernacular in some of their writings. See below. All African Americans do not speak it - but many are not ashamed of it. It is a 'second language' for some. However one must be able to speak standard English in order to succeed in the larger society. To denigrate one for using this vernacular is like denigrating a southerner for 'slurring' or incorrectly enunciating certain words. (There is a prominent Texan who has slaughtered the word 'nuclear'.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebonics

Git were here. He's our expert on Ebonics.

The Official Ebonics Translator

Thanks for sharing. This disclaimer is on the site.

Disclaimer: This Web-site is an Ebonics related entertainment site. This is not real Ebonics. It is mostly slang and what people perceive as Ebonics. View this site in jest. If you think this is actually real Ebonics or believe me to be either racist or promoting Ebonics... then you're an idiot.

Disclaimer: This Web-site is an Ebonics related entertainment site. This is not real Ebonics. It is mostly slang and what people perceive as Ebonics. View this site in jest. If you think this is actually real Ebonics or believe me to be either racist or promoting Ebonics... then you're an idiot. And: Watch out for foul language!
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You just have to keep this 'segregation' thing going don't you. Look up the Spanish tranlation for 'tonto' You have been appropriately identified.

didn't know you were spanish. Nevertheless, my comment had nothing to do with segregation but was specific to the manner blacks in many parts of the United States use 'english' in a way that is peculiar
to their own culture, which is commonly referred to as 'ebonics'.

It's a fact, mom, deal with it.

I'm not 'Spanish'. One doesn't have to be Hispanic to speak Spanish. I also 'speak' Ebonics.

Tonto was not Spanish. If you'd read the book you would know that "Tonto" was a Potowatomie Indian word meaning “wild one.”

tonto or tonta - one who is silly or foolish.

It is so important to have a basic knowledge of languages other than English. Tonto was a name given to an Indian - or may have been part of an Indian dialect. But if a spanish speaking person calls you 'tonto or 'tonta' - it is not a compliment.

I will be the first to admit, coming from Colorado, that the pronunciation of several common words, as well as the over all enunciation of the English language sounds a bit 'slurred' for those of us from other regions of the country.

Regardless, in the education profession good enunciation and crisp articulation should be expected during professional exercises.

I am sure that the Principal is a smart and well educated lady. Otherwise, she wouldn't be in that high profile position- correct?

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When I was in the military a long time ago, I remember a fellow from Mobile, Alabama, one from Bangor, Maine, and one from Gate City, Tennessee.
They were white people.
At first I couldn't have told you if they said ax or ask, or sussesful or successful, etc.
However after a short while it became easy.
Some of the dumbest people I ever met spoke perfect English, however. That was what was stressed for them and not much else.

We went to the McIntosh graduation last night. Much improved over last year's fiasco. They actually tested out the sound system ahead of time, and it seemed like the band played "pomp and circumstance" uptempo to get all 300+ graduates into McIntosh stadium in what seemed to be record time. Bagpiping in the teachers was a nice touch, too.

I missed the name of the lady representing Fayette County schools who was there. She was wearing a lime green outfit. Her speech was an embarassment. Charitably, she sounded like a recovering stroke victim....or else she was drunk. Slurred words ("sussessful", etc), inappropri........ate pauses in midsentence, etc. Two grandfatherly types sitting in front of me were making odds on how many drinks she'd had at dinner.

Speeches were mercifully short, and the first diploma was handed out 30 minutes into the ceremony. I don't know who's two year old in the pink outfit ran across the field, up onto the podium and down the sidelines, but kudos to the teacher who finally got up and grabbed her and gave her to a junior marshal.

Oh, and bravo to the PTC police...they did a masterful job of traffic control last night.

who would go to a graduation ceremony without a kid or grandkid graduating or who wasn't speaking at the event doesn't have much life.

But for Basmati, I'm not surprised.

Who was the 'lady' representing the school system?

She should be called out too!

What is wrong with the Board of Education here?

How can a system with so many smart students and families have such incompetent orators speaking to the community on behalf of the school system?

Is this why we keep sliding in the ratings?

Chief Murray and the PTC crew are always pretty good with traffic flow.

I am glad it went well for you bas, other than the ‘drunk’ BOE clown of course.

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Upon further review.....

I was discussing that Fayette county BOE speaker I spoke of above with my kids this morning at breakfast. They told me that prior to the graduation ceremony that the speaker selected by the BOE had a speech impediment and to be cognizant of that fact.

Since I cannot go back and edit my blog entry, I wish to apologize for and retract the comments I made concerning the speaker above. It was not my intent to mock someone with a physical deformity.

Text Deleted

Actually, I feel better knowing it was not incompetence.

I am sure that you will be forgiven since you were unaware the speaker had a 'physical malformation'.

Besides, we know you only mock us conservative types

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What did they do the first hour and 15 minutes if they didn't call names for the graduates?

Way too much! Here's the order:
Principal's Welcome
Processional of Faculty, then students
National Anthem
Class President's Welcome
A Song
Introduction of Class Sponsors
Introduction of Class Officers
Introduction of Salutatorian
Salutatory
Introduction of Valedictorian
Valedictory
Another Song
Introduction of Special Awards
Presentation of Special Awards

AND FINALLY the presentation of diplomas, 1 hr and 15 minutes after the start time of 6pm.

But wait there's more... yeah, there was MORE speeches after the diplomas. But I won't bore you with all of that, as several hundred people already were!

Are you saying that this was the case again during Graduation in front of the entire student body, the parents, and the ceremony last night?

Yes, she spoke like that in front of everyone at the ceremony last night. It was embarrassing. I was sitting next to some folks from out of town who had just been praising our school system compared to theirs (Nashville), and then they were treated to an example of the kind of people we choose to be leaders in our "wonderful" school system. (Don't get me wrong. I'm very pleased with our schools, in general, and stay in the county for them.) Like I said, EMBARRASSING.

A suggestion: Most schools in the past - when they had such outstanding students who deserved recognition for their accomplishments, had a special recognition assembly where awards were presented. At the graduation ceremony, students who received awards were asked to stand as a group - and their names were listed in the graduation program. This saves time - yet gives those students an opportunity to be recognized and applauded at the graduation ceremony as well as at the awards ceremony. Congratulations to Starr's Mill for having such a high caliber of student!! Congratulations to the faculty and parents for supporting one of the top schools in Fayette County. It takes organized leadership to coordinate staff, parents, and students to maintain a high performing school.

Do us all a favor and say something to the powers that be.

I am sorry you were embarassed by the Principal. I am sure your friends from Nashville were equally embarrassed for you. I would have liked to watch Dr. DeCotis while she spoke. That's ridiculous. I'm embarrassed for you and I was not even there. You deserve to be heard and anyone else there that was offended should say something and write letters as well.

Doesn't that make you scratch your head and ask: Why?

It is nice to hear a speaker who enunciates well, it indicates an effort to assimilate. However, If I had to choose between a slick talker (Reagan for instance) and someone with an ability to work for their patrons, I would choose the latter.
I don't know the case here.
I went to another graduation once where the head of the GBI for Georgia was the speaker. Although I could understand most of what he said over his drawl, he didn't say anything! I suspect he was the opposite race from your recent graduation speaker.
I hope we judge on more evidence than one speech.

One of my sons wrote one of those letters. He's still waiting for a reply.
Trigg D. too bad you retired.

He was not "hired" by the sitting BOE when the state switched from elected to appointed superintendents back in in the '90s. Instead, they chose a buffoon named Dave Brotherton who, in a mere 2 years or so, nearly ruined the system. Fortunately, he quit and they promoted the ranking No. 2, John DeCotis, who still holds the job. Dr. DeCotis may be overwhelmed at times but he is the best thing that ever happened to Fayette County Schools and worth fighting to keep in office for a long, long time.

As for the "speech" problems ... if any of you had ever spoken through a public address system while standing in the middle of a football field, you'd know the reverb is terrible. You literally hear your words about 2 seconds after you speak them. THAT'S why everybody sounds so illiterate and unedumecated. Give 'em a break for not wearing EAR PLUGS!

And finally, while I share Tug13's affection for Trigg (I've known him a long time), I find it funny that you've forgotten his infamous Soutern drawl, learned from his childhood in North Georgia and which he never was able to shake! It used to REALLY make the Yankee transplants and society snobs roll their eyes in embarassment back in the day!

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NEWSBOY : DELIVERING NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH

I have spoken at numerous large scale events and have yet to say "Ax" for ask, or "Mines" for mine, or "susses" for success.

Between the length, the PA cutting in and out, and the inability of the Principal to speak proper English, the students and many of the participants and visitors were embarrassed. After reading the blogs I called several people that were there and to the person they all said the same thing: The African-American Principal struggles with public speaking and annunciation and she was not familiar enough with her speech. I also heard complaints about the length of the ceremony, the apparently drunken redneck in the black “T” shirt with the mullet and the air-horn on the top of the aluminum bleachers, and the length of time it took to get to the ceremony itself.

I have heard nothing but good things about the McIntosh Graduation with the exception of the BOE representative (how shameful that the ‘weak link’ is there to represent the school system).

I have heard that the Fayette County High School graduation is a ‘strange set-up’ and lacked the formality of McIntosh, Whitewater and Starr’s Mill.

I heard that aside from the parking shortage, that the Whitewater graduation was the best this year and included a strong patriotic component including Marines helicopters and a ‘Fly Over’ of fighter jets in formation.

I do not make excuses for those in charge of our school system. If you would like to have a top quality system, I would recommend you stop making excuses as well.

Basically it came down to this:

The Principal at Starr’s Mill was an embarrassment.

The ‘Board of Education’ representative at McIntosh was an embarrassment.

Fayette County High School is too “informal” and lacks organization.

Whitewater had a good graduation.

Sandy Creek? I have not heard a thing yet.

Anyone else care to comment on what they all have seen or heard?

Feedback doesn't cause "ask" to be heard as "ax" any more than it would cause the audience to hear "change" when the correct word being used is "chain."

Newsboy, and any other posters who were there - would you elaborate on the FCHS graduation ceremony being "too informal" and "a strange setup" since you had a child graduate from there this year?

Not surprising WHS pulled out all the stops, and props, for it's first graduation. I wonder if they'll continue with all the very special events for each graduation ceremony in future years - I doubt it.

I saw your son at the concert last night, were you there too? It was a great concert by the Army band and we enjoyed it immensely.

I yam what I yam...Popeye

No, I didn't make it. He went because his girlfriend was working the bake sale table. He thought the Army band was terrific, too, but said he was surprised they "played so many show tunes!" I couldn't help but giggle at his assessment of the music. I told him certain types of music lends itself better to a brass-heavy band, like the Army's.

Just goes to show, you never know what kids will say, do ya?!

no show tunes, but they did play a wonderful version of sing sing sing nad a great Ella Fitzgerald number.

I yam what I yam...Popeye

Aside from one minor slip of the tongue on behalf of the salutatorian's introducer, Sandy Creek's graduation was one of the best that I've attended in my four years of high school. Being a graduate, I might be a little biased, but the ceremony only lasted one hour and 50 minutes with the diplomas being handed out about an hour into the ceremony. It took about an hour to get all 300+ graduates across the stage. Besides Mr. Mowell's slurring, everyone enunciated well and the speaker systems worked well to help everyone hear the speakers.

One is the act of announcing.
The other is how it is said.

I think the speaker did annunciate, but maybe did not enunciate well.

No pun intended

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The Annunciation was the angel Gabriel's announcement to the Virgin Mary of the Incarnation.

The feast celebrating this event is on March 25, which is 9 months before the celebration of the nativity, or Dec. 25.

Synonyms for enunciation are articulation (as with Barack Hussein Obama) and pronunciation. Good enunciation is the act of speaking clearly and concisely (sorry, but no Southern drawl) and requires using standard U.S. English, not Ebonics (think Bill Cosby or Michael Steele vs. rappers). The opposite of good enunciation is mumbling or slurring.

Enunciation means to speak out (hence, the prefix ē-). You will be more easily understood if you enunciate your words carefully.

Tutor's tip: "Enunciation" (clear pronunciation) is necessary for an effective "annunciation" (public statement).

I thought I said the same thing you did except I used 13 words. You used over a 100.
You must be a government worker or a college professor who writes.
I lerned early on in industry (back when we made products in the USA)
to keep reports to a minimum and just say the status. Otherwise it confuses some before they can get through it, and it takes up too much time of someone on a schedule.
Guess I will not change.

I'm definitely not a government worker.

Skimming is a valuable skill to use for looonnnggg works.

when you've lerned, like dollar, you can get your point across in 13 words.

I yam what I yam...Popeye

Guess I'll never succeed at short posts!

post short, bush lied, halibuton, millions say 25% is not like it was health care starving babbies.

American Heritage Dictionary -
an·nun·ci·a·tion (ə-nŭn'sē-ā'shən) Pronunciation Key
n.

1. The act of announcing.
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Maybe Enigma did mean annunciation since he was responding to her inability to make public announcements??
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No matter how it is said it is an announcement. However enunciation of an announcement is a different thing.

What I don't know is what you are saying most of the time or what's wrong with you.
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pick, pick, pick

I yam what I yam...Popeye

Oh my gosh, how could I forget Brotherton! You're right, Trigg D. did not retire.
Guess I didn't notice his southern accent, because I talk like that too.
I do remember he was a good, and fair basketball referee.

Thanks,
Tug