Monday, February 15, 2010

School Colors Make a Difference

It sounds sort of silly to say that school colors make a difference but, after a recent refinishing of our high school gym floor, I was amazed at how many people remarked that they were so thrilled to see that we had painted the gym floor with the "orginal gold" color. I even had people stop me on the street to make similar comments. It made me start thinking about why something as simple as a hue change from yellow to gold would mean so much to someone.

I guess the simple answer is that school, especially middle and high school, are defining moments in our lives. When we start school we are all pretty much reflections of our parents and their guidance. It is at school that we start seeing that not everyone is like us and that there are different personality, choices, and viewpoints. At school we start on a journey of discoving who we are, individually, and making life decisons that affect our entire life. We make choices about career, friends, and sometimes even meet the person that becomes our life-long partner.

In school we learn that life is not always fair, that you don't always win, and that others can be cruel. We also learn that winning is not everything and that we can show compassion and caring for those who are different than us - those who may be not as smart, not as athletic, not as popular, but still worthwhile human beings.

So, I guess it is natural that we develop deep ties with the environment (school) that serves as the backdrop for so many of our growing-up events. That is why school colors and mascots take on a greater importance. They remind us of a time when we were on the road to becoming an adult. Our school memories are of the worst and best times of our lives.

When I first came to Middlesboro, I was so excited to hear that we were the Jackets. After all, I was also a Jacket when I went to high school. It was not the same school but the symbolism remains. And I have the same memories of my school days as well. I guess school colors and mascots do make a difference.

About Me

Dr. Rita Cook, Superintendent of Middlesboro Independent School District, has over 35 years of experience in education. She has taught all grade levels and been an administrator for the last 22 years.