Shades of Super Bowl XXXIII. Roland feigning surprise as I nail a TD pass
NOTE: THIS ARTICLE ORIGINALLY APPEARED IN THE DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE. SEE ALL D & C ARTICLES.
• September 3, 2015
A sight never before seen on Culver Road. East grad Roland Williams tossing the football and leading calisthenics with the new East’s Big Three: Deputy Superintendent Shaun Nelms, Upper School Principal Anibal Soler, Jr. and Lower School Principal Marlene Blocker. Hate to say it but having witnessed the workout, the Big Three need to get out more!
Full photo montage warner.smugmug.com/East-High-School/East-with-Roland-Williams/n-g4D7HN/
Roland giving last minute instruction before the bell rings on Tuesday
Having made the final roster cut, the team Eagle backfield led by “Blocker” Blocker, “Solar Man” Soler, and “No Helmet” Nelms, is set to kick off a winning season–on the playing fields and in the classrooms–as East begins its partnership with the UR’s Warner School of Education. What the new East will and will not be
Needing little introduction for Rochester fans of football and education, Roland Williams, creator of the Champion Academy Mentoring & Empowerment Initiative, was there to lead the cheers and support his alma mater.
The Big Three did take some time off to recharge and enjoy the summer. Blocker was actually seen relaxing out in the sun in her favorite lawn chair. Nelms and family experienced the best of Rochester culture: visiting the public market, walking Ontario beach, cooking out in public parks, biking the canal, geocaching all around town, dancing in the rain and roasting marshmallows while listening to music — all at “little or no cost.” Cheap date!
When not thinking about East (never easy for him), Soler took a family road trip to Washington D.C to see various monuments and the White House (somewhere Soler has been quite recently, see East High principal visits White House/). Solar Man even tried unsuccessfully to get a tan on Myrtle Beach!
Now back in stride, the trio are ready to add more trophies–in academics and sports–to East’s already bulging collection. As Blocker exhorted:
Marlene Blocker, Patrick Irving (Athletic Director, holding 1911 East Track & Field Trophy), Roland Williams, Shaun Nelms and Anibal Soler
Team Eagle is looking for veteran and rookie players. To make the long shots and beat the urban odds. To bring some real juice and send home any junk that doesn’t belong! The championship has our name written all over it. The engraving already begun. Ready for the challenge and the glory?
Displaying East’s glorious past
After, I spoke with Roland, saying it was his pleasure to be there. I asked what he would tell East students, including those who might join my chess team (rumor has it, I am on a short list to be the coach). His message for chess, football or geometry was the same:
There are two definitions of champion. Noun. A person who surpasses all in competition. And the more important definition. Verb, an action. A person who stands for and defends his cause–whatever it is–to the best of his or her abilities.
Nelms holding onto his catch. (At least while the pic was taken.)
Words to live by.
The rest of Team Eagle is also ready to land. For examples, Fitta’s squad will be breaking stories. Eagle Eye Report Conrow and Newman’s students shining brightly. Optical Program The Delahantys inspiring Inspiring aspiring teachers The Crandalls going for another title. East baseball triumphs again Warner School’s April Luehmann and the Science Stars shooting for more cinematic brilliance. Fostering community through a love of science And the librarians spreading knowledge. Getting the “Word” out
More on the summer at East. Building the new East one purple bookbag at a time and Helping restore East through restorative classroom practices
Also A piece of the puzzle at East Big Picture
9/08/15
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