I drove down to surprise him a little early, and despite some unfortunate happenings at school that day he was not in a terrific mood, but he did not let that ruin the night. At around 1700 we met his teacher, Dee Matthews, and we headed towards Savannnah in what was probably one of the worst rain storms I’ve driven in in many years. We ‘floated’ down there and we got to the hotel a little early, so we made our way to the Grand Ballroom where the event was to be held. Once they let us in to be seated, Jamie was wide-eyed and he remarked that it was so beautiful and that he’d never attended an event like this before. After a short opening segment we had good conversation as well as our salad and dinner, followed by the actual awards presentation. Jamie, fortunate with a last name starting with an ‘A,’ ended up being second.

Jamie & Mrs. Matthews

They presented Jamie with a medallion and Mrs. Matthews with a plaque, and the announcers read short quips from the paper that each student entered. Jamie was chosen above a number of his peers to be in a pool of those asked to enter the contest. While being chosen was an honor, being selected out of the already ‘chosen few’ is even more indicative of how exemplary a student Jamie is. There were two student/teacher pairs from each school.

I’m so proud of Jamie, whether I should be or not, as I’m merely his boyfriend, but regardless I’m proud. As I sat there and listened to each pair get called I sat and thought about how remarkable all of their stories were and how each student adapted and overcame their obstacles and still managed to excel. It made me think back to my days in school and how I realllllly should have applied myself, as I had no excuse not to, and here were students that had some very difficult circumstances thrown their way and they didn’t even bat an eye. Here is Jamie’s citation from the SMN site (link below):

JAMIE ARNOLD: Battery Creek High School

National Honor Society, honor roll, photographer, president of French Club, treasurer of Interact Club, volunteers at nursing home, Capa and Goodwill, works part-time.

Jamie is enthusiastic about his academic challenges and readily participates in all that is asked of him.

FUTURE PLANS: Trident Technical College

TEACHER: Dee Matthews, Battery Creek High School, teacher and coach.

Mrs. Dee Matthews has gone beyond the borders of a superior teacher for me.

After the banquet was over we snapped a few photographs and headed home, much drier weather. We stopped off in Bluffton to meet one of Jamie’s friends who wanted to see him all spiffed up. I’m a little biased, but he looked absolutely spectacular last night. Afterward I dropped him at his house and I headed back up here to Charleston since I had work today, arriving around 0045. I went right to bed I was so exhausted.

So to all the students awarded last night, and especially to my Jamie, congratulations on your achievements. To all the teachers out there-not just the ones honored last night-congratulations on doing what you do and doing it so well.

Jamie and I

Read the Savannah Morning News article here. View more pictures here. WTOC Channel 11 in Savannah has a very small spot here as well.