7 minute read
Athletics
TASSEL
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TURNer A STORY OF MUSIC, HISTORY & BBQ
On the eve of Winter Fest, he can be found manning the BBQ pit while dishing out some of the best chili around. On Thursdays during lunch, the sound of tambourines, guitars, singing students, and at times, saxophones resonate from his room all through the Senior hallway. And every day, he can be found in his history-poster filled room teaching his eager students -- accompanied by a backdrop of a daily album cover -- various facets of United States history with an inherent sense of enthusiasm and humor. In addition to being a world-class teacher, he also provides a “safe haven” in his classroom and “challenges [his students] to see the good in everything,” one of his former students stated. Despite his unmatched abilities as a teacher, the HIES Tassel Turner for the graduating class of 2020, Mr. Bill Dickey, remains humble. “There are far better teachers than I at HIES. They know how to teach using the latest ‘pedagogy’ and all that stuff -- I don’t even know how to pronounce that word,” said Dickey. “But the one thing that I try to do as a teacher is I try to show how much I really care about my students,” Dickey continued. “He genuinely cares so much about each of his students and never, ever questions their potential,” said Ruthie Reid (a member of the 2020 graduating class). The honor of Tassel Turner means so much to Dickey because, in his words, “getting that kind of love back is validation that I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing.” Prior to becoming part of the HIES family, Dickey worked in the world of finance and business. Ultimately, he decided to give education a try and took a job as a teacher at North Atlanta High School before taking a job as a permanent substitute and, later, a history teacher at HIES. This year is the first time Dickey has been awarded the Honor of Tassel Turner. “It was an amazing feeling. It really was. And one that is so special and unique to Holy Innocents’ and the Holy Innocents’ experience. I mean, what a phenomenal tradition that I’ve never heard of or seen anywhere else. It’s really great and an honor to be a part of it,” Dickey said. the award. The Zoom video even featured an appearance by Dickey’s son, James Dickey, and two former HIES students from the class of 2017. “From an emotional standpoint, as overwhelmed with emotion as I was watching it on the computer screen, I can only imagine watching it in the actual chapel with the entire school there and having to walk up to the podium and thank everyone. I don’t think I could have done it. I was holding back tears the whole time via computer!” Dickey said. “That type of recognition from your constituents, from your students who are your constituents -- I don’t work for Paul Barton or Manning Weir, I work for you guys. Y’all are my constituents,” continued Dickey. Halfway through our interview, we were briefly interrupted by a large THUD sound coming from Dickey’s living room. His dog, Rosy, had attempted to jump up onto a couch but “almost didn’t make it.” With the dog safely perched upon a sofa, our interview continued. The reason why Dickey loves teaching AP US History is not that he has a BA in History, but because he, “literally gets to teach three quarters or at least two-thirds of an entire class.” Since Dickey has been able to interact with most -- if not all of the graduating class -- he has been able to get to know them in a personal way. “They are a very enthusiastic class. They have a spirit about them, for sure,” Dickey said. “Their freshman year coincided with the year that I realized that I was going to be sticking around HIES. So I relate that class to my permanence; they are special for that reason as well,” Dickey said. While his students depart the grounds of HIES for new adventures in college, Dickey will remain at HIES where he will meet the next wave of rising seniors and help them grow as empathetic, historically educated, and musically cultured individuals. He will help them learn the history of our great country, all while sharing frequent laughs and listening to his “awesome daily playlists.” He will provide or an environment in which it is safe to make mistakes and grow from such mistakes. Dickey will form relationships with each of his students, one at a time. Lead with love, do the things you love, love the people that you’re around. And if you do that, things are probably going to be okay. And at the very least, you’ll be happy.” - Bill Dickey
Because of the Coronavirus, the class of 2020 had to contrive a new and unprecedented way to present Dickey with the Tassel Turner award. Together, the entire Senior class invited Dickey to a Zoom video call in which they introduced “Lead with love, do the things you love, love the people that you’re around. And if you do that, things are probably going to be okay. And at the very least, you’ll be happy,” Dickey saidy said. █
SIGNED
MATTHEW RAESIDE, co-editor-in-chief
ATHLETES ATHLETES TYLER WHITE FOOTBALL MARYVILLE COLLEGE [ [ KALEB KETCHUP
BASEBALL UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA [[ PATTON MOONEY LACROSSE SEWANEE [ [ The most challenging part [of playing baseball] is definietly keeping a positive attitude. Baseball is a game of failure, so if you succeed three out of ten times you are a great player. So, keeping a positive attitude while you fail is probably the most challenging part of playing baseball. “ “ Lacrosse being a team sport, the most rewarding part will always be the feeling after we successfully execute a play or transition as a cohesive unit. Lacrosse is an aggressive sport, but women’s lacrosse, specifically, can be really beautiful to watch. This can only be pulled off when we work as a team. “ “
LEIGHTON DICKSON LACROSSE RHODES COLLEGE MICHAEL COX
FOOTBALL UNIVERSITY OF
MISSOURI [ [ [ [[ The most rewarding aspect of playing football to me would simply be that: playing football. I genuinely love the sport. I don’t play to gain anything. Not for respect, not for accolades. While all of those are perks that I really appreciate, I play to play. The team camaraderie is necessary to win. It’s not a one-person sport. You need teammates and your teammates need you. There’s no greater feeling to me than to be under the Friday night lights in the heat of a football game, and look to your left and right and know that all of your brothers got your back. And you got theirs. “ “ I started playing lacrosse in 5th grade. It started off at the beach with one of my best friends. He had been playing for a few prior seasons, and he had an extra stick with him. Just for fun, we went out to a field and threw the ball around. He said, “Hey you’re pretty good for your first time. You should play.” So I decided to give it a try. I’ve stuck with it ever since that day. I love the speed, strategy, and physicality of the game. The most rewarding part of the game for me is assisting my teammates. Whenever I can set them up for an opportunity to score, it makes all of the effort into that play worth it. Scoring goals myself are fun, but setting up my teammates is even better in my opinion. The most challenging part of the game is definitely the endurance needed for my position (midfield). If you’re playing midfield, you’re constantly running. At one moment you’re playing offense, and then the next moment you’re sprinting down the field to play defense. “ “
