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There once was a world without technology. Where children were taught how to write with a pencil and a piece of paper, how to read books printed on paper, how to spell using a dictionary as backup, and how to solve mathematical problems with nothing but fingers to count on as needed.
Today, hard-bound, printed dictionaries are difficult to find outside of libraries, old-fashioned ciphering has been replaced by calculators, books are on e-readers and handwriting is a dying art.
But some knowledge can never be replaced by technology, or at least it shouldn’t be. And it is essential that children are taught how to read, write, count and spell. Even though spell check automatically corrects misspelled words these days, it doesn’t replace common sense and knowledge, it doesn’t help if the word is spelled correctly but used incorrectly, or if the word is pronounced the same but spelled two different ways.
So when the opportunity to assist children who are spelling from memory, given words that would stymie many adults, arises, The Times is more than happy to participate.
The students at the Valdosta Early College Academy are there because they are dedicated to learning, as are the faculty, staff and those who assist them from VSU. They are motivated, expected to perform at a high level, and are given many opportunities to excel.
Holding spelling bees may seem like old-fashioned educational ideals from a bygone era, but the fact remains that students who can spell by either studying and learning the words or learning how to break words and sounds down phonetically will excel in life. The skills these children learn today will carry forward through their academic and professional careers.
Congratulations to the school for hosting their first-ever spelling bee, congratulations to the students for their eager participation and congratulations to their parents and grandparents who supported them by attending.
What We Think
A spelling lesson
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Thoughts on graduation
Graduation ceremonies reflect how life marches on. For the students receiving their diplomas and degrees, graduation is a culmination of the majority of their lives’ work.
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Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To Dr. John Gaston, retiring dean of Valdosta State University’s College of the Arts. For the past 10-plus years, Gaston has worked to build a more interconnected program with various artistic and communications departments working together. Given that you are likely to see one College of the Arts department collaborating with another during events is proof of Gaston’s success.
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On the go this weekend
Take a breath.
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Sharing the roads with motorcycles
With the recent pleasant temperatures and sunny skies, the number of motorcycles on area roads has increased.
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Thank your local law enforcement today
Today, May 15, was designated Peace Officers Memorial Day back in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy was in office.
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Visit musical roots this weekend
Beginning Saturday, May 18, Nashville, Ga., will be hosting a special Smithsonian exhibit, “New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music.” The exhibit will continue through the end of June and Nashville has done a tremendous job in promoting and planning for the exhibit.
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Happy Mother’s Day!
A few years ago, a television commercial asked, Who first believed in you? Many folks may have instinctively answered by simply saying, Mom.
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Thumbs up
THUMBS UP: To mail workers, volunteers and food bank staff for gathering food for the annual Stamp Out Hunger postal food drive today. A plastic bag designated for canned goods and other non-perishable food items should have arrived in your mailbox earlier this week. If you haven’t already, take a few moments to fill the bag with food and hang from your mailbox. If you didn’t receive the special Stamp Out Hunger bag, any plastic bag filled with food will do. This food drive helps feed thousands of South Georgians annually. Valdosta-Lowndes County often donates more food than nearly all other cities and counties in Georgia.
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Celebrating nurses
She is considered the founder of modern nursing so it seems only natural that National Nurses Week would include Florence Nightingale’s birthday.
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Helping the hungry: Mail it in!
Valdosta-Lowndes County continues revealing its generous spirit.
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Thoughts on graduation
