FCHS band leader makes lemonade out of disinvitation lemon

FCHS

band leader makes lemonade out of disinvitation lemon

I must admit I was

initially upset about the Fayette County High School Band

being disinvited to play in the 2000 Olympic Opening

Ceremonies and was against accepting a different

itinerary until...

Until I heard the positive

attitude of band director Kenny Beard at last Monday's

band meeting. Yes, we were dealt an unfair set of cards,

but when life gives you lemons, Mr. Beard knows how to

turn it into lemonade.

Others in the country that

also were invited, then disinvited, are being very

negative and in our sue-happy society want to pursue that

route.

After these band directors

worked with the Australia Olympic Committee and

Australia's government, Kenny Beard endorses a revised

itinerary that gives the opportunity for our band to

perform at the Sydney Opera House.

Can you believe that? They

will play at the most famous landmark in Australia as

well as the torch celebration, the Parliament House,

Bruce Stadium Olympic events and other performances. In

the process, our children will learn about another

culture and still be part of the worldwide excitement.

Australian officials (and I

think countrymen also) will welcome us with open arms.

SOCOG has offered to write endorsement letters to help

with fund-raising and Mr. John Moore from the Sydney

Olympic organizing committee has personally said he'd

help with fund-raising phone calls to some of the major

Olympic sponsors. They realize our frustration and are

bending over backwards to help.

I hope other band families

will let go of the past and look to the future. Like

everything else in life, it's how you view things, and

after listening to Mr. Beard, I've decided I like

lemonade.

I think this is still a

once in a lifetime opportunity. As we wait on the band

member families to vote on whether to accept the new

itinerary and go to Australia, I want Mr. Beard to know

that no matter which way the vote goes, I am thrilled to

have such a positive man with strong character as a

teacher for my son for the next four years (and hopefully

my two other children after that).

Donna Fornito

[email protected]

<!-------------