Two Years Ago Today...

Hey, Y’all—I’m back, and have I got a real gooden for y’all!

All day today, I kept having this strange feeling that today was a very special day, and for some reason, I thought about my Uncle Anthony, and that’s when it hit me: Today is a very special milestone in my family!

It was two years ago on this very day that my Grampa Clark was inducted into the first ever Sapp Elementary Hall of Fame. This beautiful ceremony took place at the Marriott in Marina Del Rey, California, and the atmosphere was like that of an award show. I don’t know how Principal Wilson did it, but she made darn sure that the Sapp Hall of Fame lived up to the hype. Well, I can tell y’all—it was truly a gala affair!

From the moment we stepped inside that Promenade Ballroom to the closing remarks and benediction, I watched as the five legends of Sapp Elementary became immortalized in the annals of time. Each hall of famer was inducted by their respective predecessor, and entertained us with stories of their greatest moments at Sapp Elementary. However, it was my Uncle Anthony who had everyone grabbing the Kleenex, as he spoke from the heart about his dad/my grandfather, the late great Clark Kenneth Jones.

I get goosebumps to this very day when I think about how Uncle Anthony accepted the award on Grampa Clark’s behalf, then looked up to Heaven and boldly declared, “This is for you, Pop!” I remember how my smile grew when Uncle Anthony reached for his notes, only to put them back into his inside suit jacket pocket and just let the words flow about the legacy that Grampa Clark left at Sapp Elementary… and check this out, y’all: Uncle Anthony had every intention of giving that beautiful crystal award to Gramma Jewel, but Gramma Jewel wouldn’t have it; she suggested—dare I say—demanded that Uncle Anthony keep the award for himself.

And here it is, two years later, and you can find Grampa Clark’s award resting on the mantle of Uncle Anthony’s fireplace.

Well, y’all—that’s all the news that I have right now, but I promise to holla back sometime tomorrow. Until then, y’all take care and be good.

 

 

Smooches,

Natasha

Reflecting on the Sapp Hall of Fame Ceremony



The legends of Sapp Elementary, with Principal Wilson (centered in black and silver).



Happy Friday, Everybody!

Well, like I promised y’all yesterday, I’ve got a greaten for today—just go ahead and check it out!

Even though we are twenty-four days into this new year, I must reflect on Saturday evening, December 21, 2013. It was on that aforementioned night that Sapp Elementary had their Hall of Fame ceremony, thus honoring five great legendary teachers who made their mark in the lives and hearts of every Sappster. What made this night so special for my family was that my Uncle Anthony was chosen and volunteered to accept an award on behalf of my Grampa Clark. And I must also make mention of Grampa Clark’s colleagues: Mrs. Betty Bradley, who taught Second Graders for fourteen years; Mr. Mike Thundera, who taught Eighth Graders for twenty-three years; Mrs. Cynthia Harvey, who taught First Graders for twenty-seven years; and Mr. Hal Arthur, who taught Third Graders for thirty-six years.

What I loved the most about this ceremony was that Mr. Arthur, Mrs. Harvey, Mr. Thundera, and Mrs. Bradley acknowledged my Grampa Clark in their appreciation speeches—and why not? I mean, after all, he was their colleague… or as they all said it, he was their big brother. I also liked how each legend mentioned the children; as a matter of fact, it was Mr. Arthur who said it best: “A real teacher gives a damn about the kids, regardless of whatever!”

Oh, and I should also point out that the Sapp Elementary Family saved Grampa Clark for last. As a matter of fact, when Mr. D got up to induct Grampa Clark, everyone in the Promenade Room at Marina Del Rey Marriott began to cheer. Finally, Uncle Anthony stood up and accepted the Hall of Fame Award, and in doing so, gave such a heartfelt speech that it felt like Grampa Clark was sitting right in that room with us all.

Uncle Anthony talked about the sacrifices and the dedication that it takes to being a loyal teacher—after all, he himself teaches Eighth Graders at Robert L. Johnson Elementary. Well, anyway, Uncle Anthony talked about how Grampa Clark would come home virtually every day with stories about a “fresh-faced youngster who made his day that much sweeter.” Finally, after accepting the Hall of Fame award, Uncle Anthony concluded his speech by holding up the award and declaring a la Grampa Clark: “You betta know that’s right!”

Suffice to say, it was a very beautiful ceremony, and I am glad that I was able to witness it. And I already know that Cousin Lionel, Cousin Calvin, and Cousin Matthew were all extra thrilled to meet singer Tiffany Summers! But anyway, the Sapp Hall of Fame ceremony is yet more proof that I have a whole lot to look forward to when I become a teacher.

Until tomorrow, y’all take care.

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

Continuing & Cementing A Sapp Legacy

My Gramma Jewel and Mrs. Winifred Wilson,
prinicpal of Sapp Elementary.

Good Friday Afternoon, Everybody!

This is the final Friday of the month of September, and I thought I would dedicate this particular blog post to no one else but my dear sweet Gramma Jewel.

I may have mentioned this once upon a time (I recognize that I am prone to déjà vu moments), but my Gramma Jewel has returned to the workforce. After spending at least twenty years in the nursing field and an additional twelve years as the church secretary, my Gramma Jewel has decided that she still has plenty left in the tank. Y’all, my Gramma Jewel is the announcing lady and the school nurse at W.L. Sapp Elementary School—yes, the same Sapp Elementary which my late Grampa Clark taught kindergarteners.

How did this come about, you may ask? Well, it actually began around this time last year, when my Gramma Jewel stepped foot on the grounds of Wiley L. Sapp Elementary School for the first time since the Eighth Grade Class of 2000 dedicated their graduation to my Grampa Clark’s memory. All that Gramma Jewel planned on doing was just stopping by to say hello to Principal Wilson and the faculty and staff. Gramma Jewel admitted that she had an added incentive as well: In knowing the legacy that my Grampa Clark left at Sapp Elementary, Gramma Jewel decided to check out the auditorium that was dedicated to my darling grandfather.

And here we are, thirteen years later!

The auditorium is still standing, and Grampa Clark’s cheesy photo is still hanging center stage. His legacy is still alive and well at Sapp Elementary. Morals and respect are still being taught alongside reading, writing, and arithmetic. And as a bonus, Gramma Jewel has taken it upon herself to not only continue Grampa Clark’s legacy, but also cement her own. Everytime I call her, I can hear the joy in her voice when she talks about those little kiddies and their fresh-faced smiles. Gramma Jewel told me this one story about a little boy who wanted to go home because he wasn’t feeling too well. Gramma Jewel said that she took his temperature and discovered that everything was normal, then she told the little boy to take his behind back to his classroom and quit playing like he was sick. Gramma Jewel then went on to say that the little boy dropped his head in shame and walked back to his classroom.

That sounds about right—Gramma Jewel has always been a detective of sorts.

Well, all I’ve got to say is this: I am glad that Gramma Jewel has rekindled her purpose in life. I don’t think she would have ever imagined working at Sapp Elementary, but as she always tells us: “Look at how God worked it out for her!”

Kudos to you, Gramma Jewel—and just know that Grampa Clark is happy for you, too. God Bless!

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

Mr. D Celebrates 20 Years at Sapp Elementary

Happy Saturday, Everybody!

I’ve got a good blog post for y’all today!

I broke the news in yesterday’s blog that Mr. Bret Douglas, a very good friend to my family, celebrated a milestone in his life. Well, seeing as how today is September 7, 2013, today marks exactly twenty years that Mr. D has taught kindergarteners at Sapp Elementary School. Earlier this morning (well, it was about 10am PST back in Cali), I called Mr. D and wished him a Happy 20^th Sapp Anniversary, and he just chuckled and said, “Oh, thanks a bunch, Miss Natasha. I am so honored that you took time out from your college life to call and think of me, don’tcha know.”

I may have mentioned it briefly in yesterday’s blog post, but my Grampa Clark was the catalyst in Mr. D having the job that he has today. You see, my Grampa Clark was such a devoted kindergarten teacher that he didn’t want to retire all willy-nilly. His goal was to make sure that his successor was just as devoted and dedicated to the little kiddies as he was. Well, imagine my Grampa Clark’s surprise when Mr. D mentioned that he once taught kindergarten class in his hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Grampa Clark pulled a few strings, but Mr. D was still treated as a potential candidate, especially when he scored an interview with Principal Wilson. The story continues that when Mr. D was called for a second interview, he was grilled by all the Sapp faculty and staff, but he was more so grilled by Grampa Clark. And then, during a Christmas party in 1992 (hosted by Grampa Clark and Gramma Jewel, of course) Grampa Clark invited the faculty and staff. Now, check this out, y’all: It was at this particular Christmas party that Grampa Clark officially announced his retirement, and in the process recognized Mr. D as his successor.

And the rest is history.

When I spoke to Mr. D this morning, I could hear the joy and nostalgia in his voice as he reflected on his very first day on the job twenty years ago.

“I still remember it like it happened yesterday, don’tcha know,” he said gladly. “I was quite overwhelmed by how well I was accepted by the faculty, staff, and students. It was barely three minutes that I stepped onto the schoolgrounds, and everyone spoke to me as though I had been their colleague for twenty years—which is ironic, considering that now it actually has been twenty years.  Anyway, I remember my very first ‘Back to School’ assembly, in which your Grampa Clark announced his retirement from teaching, then introduced me as his successor. And Natasha, let me say: When your grandpa introduced me, he wasn’t shy about it! He said: ‘And now, ladies and gentlemen, little boys and little girls, and my fellow colleagues, it is an honor of honorable proportions that I pass the torch of kindergarten teacher.  Please welcome along with me—my successor, my neighbor, and my friend, Mr. Bert ‘Don’t Call Me Kirk’ Douglas!’”

I just laughed and said: “Yeah, that’s sounds like my Grampa Clark, all right!”

In the twenty years that Mr. D has taught at Sapp Elementary, he has won Teacher of the Year three consecutive times (1996, 1997, and 1998). He’s also won Newcomer of the Year in 1993, and he’s also the reason why the auditorium at Sapp Elementary is now known as the Clark Kenneth Jones Memorial Auditorium. Mr. D went on to explain to me that my Grampa Clark was such a heavy influence and a great part of the Sapp Family that “he just had to be immortalized in some kinda way, don’tcha know.”

Well, I can say on behalf of my family that we are forever grateful that Sapp Elementary has never forgotten my Grampa Clark—heck, I don’t think they really want to.

Okay, y’all—I’m done for today. I’m gonna close up this here blog post, but I’ll holla at y’all on Monday. Until then, y’all take care and be good.

And Mr. D—I want to say one more time: Congratulations on your 20 Years at Sapp!!!

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha