EDUCATION CORNER
Turning lemons into lemonade
E
ven though this past school year is over, and everyone is now enjoying their summer break, I find myself still reflecting on all that our students and teachers were able to accomplish in a year when we never knew from week to week what challenges we would face because of the pandemic. From three state championships – in baseball, girls’ tennis, and track and field – to a state runner-up finish for boys’ soccer, to multiple post-season appearances for our other athletic teams, to honors and accolades for our fine arts programs, to RHS being one of the Top 25 high schools in the state, the
2020-2021 school year ended up being a banner year for our system, despite changes, challenges, and uncertainty. For me, this goes to show that circumstances aren’t always an indicator of success. Our students, teachers, coaches and directors could have lowered their standards for a year when they didn’t know whether they’d even have full seasons, inperson learning or scheduled performances. They could have just done what was required and no more than that. They could have used the pandemic situation
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to coast by – but that’s not how we do things at RCS. Instead, these students, teachers, coaches and directors pushed harder, worked longer and exceeded expectations. They learned not to take any practice, game, performance or regular school day for granted. They made the most of what they were given. They completely embodied the phrase “turning lemons into lemonade.”
I continue to be inspired by what all took place this previous school year, and I’m already looking forward with great anticipation to what this coming school year will hold. With all the hard work and extra resources we’ve already started implementing thanks to the federal COVID stimulus money our system received, I can’t wait to see how our system will continue to grow and what all we will be able to achieve. As always, it’s GREAT to be a Golden Tiger!
Heath Grimes is the superintendent of Russellville City Schools. He and his wife Amy have three daughters: Leah, Halle and Erin.
