Letter to Dr. Greenberg:I would like to tell you how happy I am with the outcome of my old school.Many years ago when Charleston High sat abandoned, I use to drive by and felt an overwhelming feeling of sadness. There were times when I would peek in a side door or a broken window—just to put a bandage on an open wound, so to speak. I remember my last time peeking through the broken window of a door that was across from the gym (now the parking garage on Rutledge Avenue). The hall was cold, I felt the air on my face, I smelt the old musty smell of abandonment. In my mind, I saw students running up the stairway, through the halls trying to make it to class before the late bell rang. I heard the laughter of my schoolmates. That day, I walked away in tears and never went back again. By that time, the back of the school had been destroyed by nature and fire. I could not imagine what the fate of my beloved school would be. I wrote you a letter shortly thereafter expressing my love for the school, and my concerns about the future of the building. You responded to me, and I thank you. You proved to me that it mattered to you what the outcome would be. I am, happy to say, so proud! Charleston High stands tall and beautiful—truly representing its motto, “Enter to Learn-Leave to Serve.” I have not yet taken a tour of the school, but I hope to do so soon as I am now a staff member of MUSC. I can continue the tradition; showing my grandchildren with pride my high school (and of course pulling out the old high school year book of 1978). Again, thank you for saving the school that brought joy, sadness, accomplishments and memories to many Charlestonians. LaSherrald Smalls Charleston High School graduate Friday, Nov. 3, 2006 |
|