No graduation ceremony for student who rode horse to school
Brad Walker saves $25 a week riding his horse Pumpkin to Rockwood High School in Roane, TN. It's a protest to high gas prices that has the support of Rockwood High's principal and has turned a lot of heads in the rural town.
It was a different story all together for a Dickson County High School student who was told this week he would not be able to participate in his graduation ceremony for riding his horse to school.
Caleb Anderson rode the horse to school on his last day of classes. The trip took him almost four hours, arriving at Dickson County High at 7:40am after leaving home at 4am. According to Caleb's grandmother Sandra Anderson, Caleb didn't think it would be as big of a problem as the principal made it out to be. Besides, he was doing his part as a new high school graduate to go green and save a little gas.
But once Caleb arrived at school, Dickson County High Principal Ed Littleton told Caleb to get the horse off the school property. Police arrived shortly after Caleb put the horse in a friend's pasture near the school. As punishment, Caleb was told he will not be allowed to participate in his graduation ceremony Friday.
Caleb missed an exam due to the incident but his grandmother tells us he didn't need the credit to graduate anyway. Seniors participating in Friday's graduation ceremony held a practice ceremony earlier today.
UPDATE 5-23-08 6:01am - Today's the day for Caleb's graduation, and Dickson High Principal Littleton tells us he will not reconsider banning Caleb from his graduation ceremony. I will update this story at 10am.
UPDATE 3:39pm - I have some very sad news to report. One of Caleb's uncles passed away today. The school still says they are not allowing Caleb to participate in his graduation tonight. Another one of Caleb's uncles, Danny Jackson, plans to ride a horse to the graduation ceremonies tonight in protest of the principal's decision.
well
Who, What, Where, When and Why. You learn this is elementary school (I did, at least)
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Bun B Mp3
Just watching the video
Just watching the videos, this Principal seems small-minded, prickly and vain; certainly his actions seem severe, and there was a pallor of malice to his on-air manner.
This is most wrong -- a little man punished the entire family and disrupted the community in a time of joy with his vindictiveness. The grandparents of this boy have paid taxes faithfully to support the area schools, as have the parents. He admits the boy presented no memorable issues prior to innocently riding his horse to school whereupon he somehow offended the center of the universe.
Did he do this? It looks to me he did.
As a life-treasuring mature adult, he owes more to the grandparents and the parents of this child. As a leader, he owes more to the child and his classmates. As an executive, he is a steward of the greater community interest and its goodwill and good fortune. As a man, and as an American, he has failed all three roles in this sad episode of dictatorial distemper arising from riding a horse to school.
Our nation's founders must be rolling in their graves.
Journalism?
I have worked in situations where, as a professional, you are not allowed to give out information to the public in regard to people's actions in defense of decisions that have to be made. In this case, the journalist was informed that the student was not allowed to walk in the graduation line, but would graduate despite the student's actions. From what was in the interview, it is apparent the horse had nothing to do with the decision. While this was stated, the situation went viral with little to do with the facts. A good journalist reports facts and corrects misunderstood information. Where is the objective journalist? It seems that someone just wants to a good story, not to report the facts. It is unfortunate that the family is having difficult times, but that is not the issue here. The issue is the student's actions. If there was no disciple in schools or other institutions, the journalist would some real stories to report. Does the public want there to be no consequences for one's actions? One writer indicated there was more to this situation than what was stated. Although I know nothing of this situation except watching the interview, it is apparent that this student's actions is the "rest of the story."
rest of the story
Bewildered, do you have an example of facts that were not reported and "misunderstood information" that needs to be corrected?
There is no WHY.
Who, What, Where, When and Why. You learn this is elementary school (I did, at least)
Your story does not provide any explanation of why this boy was not allowed to graduate.
Why
We reported what Caleb said was "why" he's not participating in his own graduation, and we reported "why" Principal Ed Littleton said he is not graduating.
Are there any other facts that we've failed to report here? Is there someone we should have interviewed that we didn't?
My bad, then.
Okay, so you accept "things that happened after" as a valid reason. As a journalist, you did not attempt to ask deeper, find out - explain - or acknowledge the WHY (which again, a reporter must have the five w's)
A vague "Things" answer was acceptable - my apologies, thought this was a news and information website.
As others mentioned - this story was incomplete. You come across biased. I feel bad for the boy, but you're not giving the whole story. He did not bring a horse to go school, be told to remove it and then be told he was not graduated.
Why were the police called if he left immediately with the horse to his friends house? Why are police needed? Why was this not clarified in your article? A horse is not threatening - this is Tennessee, not Los Angeles. So the police are out of place here. There's one WHY.
Why is bringing your horse to school a punishable offense? What is the reasoning behind this decision? What law/rule did he break, specifically? Why is the principal's superviros supporting his decision - did you interview him?
When I read throughout the internet, other NEWS organizations have reported that the horse got excited when the principal started yelling at Caleb's arrival, and kicked up some dust, frightening the principal. When the child tried to calm his horse down so he could lead him off the property the principal got more agitated and told Caleb to get off the property and then called the police - even though Caleb had left, with the horse, immediately. When Caleb returned he was told he was not graduating because of the horses actions.
There's a LOT of why you did not report on. Following up your questions with more questions, this should be in a reporters nature. You don't ask one question, let them answer and then say "Thanks for the interview." The point is to retrieve information. Your story is like Swiss cheese. I agree with the comment that I would not put my name on an article such as this. It's very poor reporting.
Here's an example of a real article about this incident, with relevant information that answers all these questions:
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080523/MICRO03040...
Let him know your thoughts
Call up Ed Littleton and let hin know your thoughts: 615-446-9003 x25009 email: edlittleton@dcbe.org
Even better let the Director of schools now about it: Charles R. Daniel (615) 446-7571
This whole story
I would never put my name on this story. I would be afraid that whatever college granted me my degree, would take it back. This "journalist" presents an incomplete and intentionally biased "report". The reader is left with one of three conclusions: the principal was an evil, likely discriminating bad guy, or; that there was a 'real good reason' for the created (read: falsified) appearance of disparity; or, that the writer omitted the other half of the story, here, duh!
Tell me what it should say
Scott, I'm not sure why you are being so critical. Could you elaborate on this "other half" of the story I'm not privy to?
AP Style: Heard of it?
Before criticizing the journalism skills in this story, you should pick up a Stylebook. Pay close attention to the "punctuation" chapter.
Umm...
Why did you capitalize "Stylebook"? Maybe you should pick up a grammar guide and read through the chapter that addresses "proper use of capital letters."
Logical Fallacies: Heard of Em?
Before debating an opponent, you should pick a text on logical falicies. Pay close attention to the "Ad Hominem" chapter.
Good Horse Sense
I don't see why the principal should make a big issue of how Caleb arrived to school. The horse was placed in a pasture nearby to eat basically free fuel. Longer than we have had cars we used horseback to get around. I think the student was clever and the punishment is just mean spirited.
Really embarrasing
I guess those students in Dickson will think twice before speaking out and peaceably demonstrating against a perceived social injustice in the future. Way to lower the bar Ed!