One thing I found interesting...

[TheEgoHasLanded]

Some of you all might have heard of Memphis East High School.

 

It is the school that Tony Harris of UT went, as well as many great players in football that now play college football, guys like Larrick Womack (committed to Ole Miss) Jimmy Kennedy? (Virginia Tech).

 

They won the state in 2000 and I believe lost to Maryville in 2001.

 

Anyway, I was reading an article in the Commercial Appeal (gomemphis.com) and it was talking about a girl who got a 31 on her ACT and was accepted to MIT from East. The paper was talking about how East kids have it tough...71.4% qualify for free lunches (your tax money). And many of their students fail. In fact the average act score at East is a 16..I think that 18 is passing and 21 is average?

 

You would think with kids that are extremely poor, and not able to graduate from high school...they would not even focus on something as like athletics. But they are very competetive in football and basketball and are always a threat to win both in state...with all the advantages other 4A schools have, why is East still so good?

 

I don't see their fans complaining about other schools having more money, smarter kids, richer kids, etc.

Edited May 31, 2003 by TheEgoHasLanded

[BDURHAM]

Nice story about the girl going to MIT. Unfortunately, it has absolutely nothing to do with the public - private debate.

 

Memphis East is in 4A. They don't play privates in the playoffs.

 

Moving on to other irrelevant topics...You don't hear people in Nashville complaining about red tide. You gotta hand to those people in Nashville. They are tough and don't complain about red tides!

Edited May 31, 2003 by StanTrott

[TheEgoHasLanded]

irrelevant?

 

 

talking about advantages that schools have over others yet still being highly successful.

 

Sorry, I don't look at things squarely as public versus private but rather advantage versus advantage.

 

For me personallyI don't just form opinions about parents, athletes, coaches, by what school they work for or go to, but rather the situation involved.

 

 

We have said many times that small rural schools are definitely not like 2A metro and urban schools and should not be viewed as such. Open zoned public schools and magnet schools are now starting to be considered to be placed with private schools because of their ADVANTAGES.

 

 

My whole point, is that East High School has all the reasons in the world to not be successful in sports, but they are. East is also a TSSAA public school. East could sit back and complain and say that life isn't fair, but they aren't, hmmm maybe that is why they are successful and win state titles.

Edited May 31, 2003 by TheEgoHasLanded

[wildcatfan]

I have to agree with Ego on this one. Nice Job, Ego. Good point.

[TheEgoHasLanded]

Also, East plays open zoned schools like Maryville...it might be the state championship before they play them, but they are playing them...

 

As many have said, this is an open/closed zone argument and not a private-public debate.