HENRY W. GRADY HIGH SCHOOL, ATLANTA
VOLUME LXVI, NUMBER 4
Dec. 11, 2012
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AND WE’RE BACK: APS ACCREDITED W
At the beginning of 2001, Jamerson
By Rachel Citrin hen senior Katherine Avery heard that APS might lose its accreditation, she feared graduating from an unaccredited school. “I felt embarrassed for our school,” Avery said. Avery can now breathe a sigh of relief. On Oct. 30, AdvancED, the parent company of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, restored full accreditation to APS, changing its status from “Accredited in Advisement” to “Accredited.” APS is now meeting the standards set by SACS, a relief to families who had feared negative consequences for their children if full accreditation had not been restored. This change was not met with too much surprise from former North Atlanta parent Lisa Weldon. “I watched intensely as [the board] went through the steps and saw improvement step by step,” Weldon said. “[The process] was tough, and I was nervous—everyone was—but later, I gained confidence.” Senior Jeffrey Cox also expected APS would be granted accreditation. “I never really thought we were in danger of losing it,” Cox said. “[SACS’s threat] was an empty threat.” In January 2011, APS was put on probation due to lack of communication and quarreling among its school board members. SACS labeled the district’s board as “dysfunctional” and said it was not focused on the education of the children in the district. SACS threatened to take away full accreditation for the school district if the board’s behavior did not change. In November 2011, APS was labeled as “Accredited on Advisement,” meaning the school system was one step below full accreditation but was still being closely monitored. Weldon believes SACS was justified in putting APS on probation. “[The board] got their hands slapped,” Weldon said. “I think they had to realize that their actions affected the children, and I think they realize that now and that people are watching. It woke up a lot of parents.” Grady alumnus and Carver High School teacher Matt Westmoreland also believes the period of probation was necessary.
see BATON, page 12
see APS, page 5
TWIRL POWER: Bob Jamerson, otherwise known as Baton Bob, has marched through Atlanta since 2005.He has adopted countless personas, among them: Superman, Spiderman, “My Little Peacock,” a cowboy and “the Consummate Princess Bride,” many of which are homemade.
Baton Bob brings mirth to Midtown By Olivia Veira n 42 minutes, 19 cars honked at Baton Bob as they sped down 10th Street. Baton Bob blew his whistle and ruffled his pompoms, while dancing to Adele’s single, “Skyfall.” Students and teachers craned their necks to catch a peek of Bob Jamerson, otherwise known as Baton Bob. As Baton Bob turned onto Charles Allen Drive at 7:36 a.m., Erin Davis, former Grady math teacher, had her camera ready to film. She filmed Baton Bob dancing and blowing kisses into the camera. “He just makes you smile,” Davis said. Since 2005, Jamerson has been traipsing around Midtown, dressed head to toe in costume. Baton Bob has interacted with many students while walking around Piedmont Park and near the Grady campus. Most students, however, do not know the man behind the costume.
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BROOMSTICKS AND BATONS Jamerson, 60, was raised on a farm in Martinsville, Va. His grandmother provided a very loving and open environment for him, which he said allowed him to develop into the person he is today. “The key to it was my grandmother knew that I was gay from day one,” Jamerson said. “She respected me for that, she made no judgement of me, and she still loved me unconditionally as she did her other grandchildren.” At 8 years old, Baton Bob watched college football games with his family on Saturdays. Instead of cheering on his favorite team or betting against the opponent, Jamerson looked forward to one thing. “I just wanted to see the halftime shows,” Jamerson said. After watching show after show, Jam-
7 dining
Lee Lowery (center), class of 2010, was killed on Nov. 12. His friends and family reflect on his outgoing, genuine personality, and contagious smile.
erson became especially interested in one thing: twirling. “I was intrigued with that art form, so I just decided that I was going to figure out how to do it,” Jamerson said. “And I did. I didn’t go to no baton training school; I didn’t get no lessons. I just sort of figured it out on my own.” Jamerson was hooked. He asked his grandmother for a baton. “Her suggestion to me was to go out and find an old broom and cut the handle off,” Jamerson said. Jamerson would use that broomstick until he could afford his own baton.
FROM MISERY TO MIRTH
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A Southerner staffer spent an evening gorging on pancakes, eggs, grits and tacos while reviewing Atlanta restaurants that are open all night.
12 thesoutherneronline.com
Before becoming a coach for Grady’s nationally ranked speech and debate team, the Jesters, Mario Herrera worked in health care and for Disney.
After a season of ups and downs, the girls cross-country team saw its best state finish in years. They placed sixth out of 32 teams in the AAAA meet.