> SOUTHERN INDIANA — Grandparent: Grant Line Elementary is first-rate



Good schools are only as good as their leaders and staff and Grant Line Elementary is five-star.  I hope everyone in New Albany can appreciate what outstanding schools we have here.

For example, on a recent Friday morning I saw the Grant Line School’s fourth-grade students walk in two by two and take their seats for the Fourth Grade Celebration Ceremony. The celebration included a Memory Photo Video that the parent-teacher organization put together highlighting every single fourth-grader.  

My great-grandson was one of the fourth-grade students and I am so happy our home is in the Grant Line district. When I pick up my grandson from the YMCA aftercare program at 5 p.m., Grant Line’s parking lot is almost filled with teachers’ cars; they are still working although school was dismissed at 2:20 p.m.

At the celebration, the Glee Club performed under the direction of Mrs. Jenna Foster, music director. Foster is currently only a part-time art teachers since the school board changed how art, music and physical education are taught. On her own time, Foster began a Glee Club and the club performed several times during the year.

One fourth-grade teacher, Heather Faith, began a Drama Club this year and the club ended the year with a two-night dinner theater performance. Faith worked many, many hours to bring about this performance and did not receive any additional pay.

My grandson attended Grant Line for four years and had four outstanding teachers: Mr. Harvey, Mrs. Mattingly, Mrs. Coffman and Mrs. Beatty. Mattingly went far beyond her required duties to inspire my grandson with a love of learning and the skills to support that. Coffman made learning fun. Beatty has turned a reluctant reader into a boy who can’t get enough of reading.

In its more than 50 years, Grant Line Elementary School has had only three principals: Ray Bruce, Leland Lang and Dr. Kyle Lanoue. All of them have been excellent. Mrs. Redden, Mrs. Lisa Ray, Mr. Losey and the office staff — Millie and Carla — go above and beyond their job description to ensure student needs are met.

A big thanks to Grant Line PTO. What an outstanding job they have done all year long.

I am more grateful than we can say to Grant Line for giving my great-grandson a good foundation to tackle middle school this fall.

— Carolyn Reisert, New Albany



Those enlisting deserve recognition



Every parent wants his or her child to succeed and reach their highest potential. For many, graduating high school is that first stepping stone leading up to the next big leap of getting into college.

This means filling out forms, forking out money and earning scholarships so parents can keep some of that money in their pockets. For some though, college is not in their future. The military inspires many young men and women who bypass the hassles of college and enlist right out of high school.

Enlistment is a very noble decision and we honor the sacrifices our service men and women make. However, these fine young adults are being criticized, not by most but by some.

Why you ask? Some people think education is most important, that is what our government is pushing our children toward, and they believe you can enlist at any time.

Mind-boggling right? Why are we going to prosecute the very ones willing to risk their lives for us? Sound a little contradictory to me.

Now there are some who do both. I am going to college, but on the Navy’s terms. I earned the Naval R.O.T.C. Nurse Option scholarship which is a full-ride to Auburn University. On graduation day, I get commissioned as a naval officer, followed by four years of service.

When I received this great honor, I  was given a parade. No, not literally, but that is what is felt like. My name was read on the announcements; I was interviewed by the school corporation as the Spotlight Student in November. My J.R.O.T.C. instructor congratulated me with growing enthusiasm and loved to tell others of my accomplishments. Now, while my prize is grand (I mean who would not be excited about a full-ride anywhere and a guaranteed job) I did not need all of that, and not to sound ungrateful, I did not want it.

Why is it that we do not give the same recognition to those who sign up to risk their lives for those they have never met?

Many of my peers have made this commitment and leave this summer for their basic training. As I received all the attention and praise, my friends got a pat on the back and even the question why. They, by no means signed up for the praise and spotlight, but it almost came as a shock when they get nothing or even the rudeness of some adults and peers.

Their commitment is just as praiseworthy as my scholarship and anyone who ridicules or criticized their decision obviously never had the unselfishness to sacrifice themselves. A few of the young men and women who have earned all my respect because of their promise; Brandon Reardon, U.S. Army, Phillip Hubbard, U.S. Army, David Lock, U.S. Marine Corps, Mitchell Davis, U.S. Air Force, Christopher Alldaffer, U.S. Army and Christian Moore, U.S. Marine Corps.

Education is pushed on children and young adults as the most important thing, when in reality not all people are cut or even interested in furthering their education past high school. The military is a notable and praiseworthy alternate in which those not going to college can made a good life for themselves. So instead of knocking them down with the negativity of your option, thank them or congratulate them for their honorable decision.

— Tabitha Foster, New Albany