Guestbook

To allow you some brief knowledge of my background, as well as my "education," I will begin by stating that I was born and have been raised in Kingsport, Tennessee. I have attended the Sullivan County school system for the past twelve years. My grades have always consisted of A's and B's, with the occasional C. My attendance was always above-average, and the slightest thought of being late for school made my stomach churn. As for me...my hobbies include the visual arts, as well as the Spanish language. However, it wasn't until my tenth grade year of school that I was able to be introduced to the Spanish language. As for my artistic interest...I took each and every art class offered throughout my school years, especially during high school. During the summer after my sophomore year, I was accepted, and attended, the month long "Tennessee Governor's School for the Arts Program," which was sadly to be the last year that the program took place. During my junior year, I was interviewed on two separate local news channels, which was aired on television, in regards with my artwork. Also during my junior year, I competed, and won, the Congressional Art Show for my region. As a result, I was offered a $12,000 scholarship to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design, located in Savannah, Georgia.

Also...during the summer before my senior year, my parents and I were flown, as a reward, to Washington, D.C., where my winning drawing would be hung and on display in the U.S. House of Representatives for one full year. During the same time, I was accepted into the "Who's Who Among American Students Program." In September of 2002, during what I thought would be a good school year, I was chosen amongst my classmates as a senior superlative, nominated "Most Talented." However, due to the exposure that I was having with the public in regards with my art...many problems began to develop between my former art teacher and I, which, resulted in my not being able to enroll in Art 4, and my not being able to graduate from Sullivan North. If you will, PLEASE read this ENTIRE page, as you will be shocked at just SOME of the experiences that I have had to face with some of Sullivan North's faculty members, and as to why I COULDN'T graduate...

My experiences with Sullivan North High School began to take place as early as my freshman year. To begin, I feel as if I should state that the MAJORITY of my experiences resulted from my art teacher. Under normal circumstances, I would identify name(s), but clearly, they aren't even worth typing. The events that I feel should be made MOST aware of begin in my junior year...

As you have read above, my junior year for me, was the most productive...as far as with my artwork, and grades. In the beginning, I could be found almost everyday after school in the art room, either working on my art assignment, or simply talking with the art teacher...up until my junior year. During these three years, I thought that my art teacher and I had a very positive teacher/student relationship, and I valued it very, very much. She would tell me personal matters about her life, and before I knew it...I knew the names of her husband, her children, and even her address. I also knew about her marriage life, which, was none of my business, but I was made aware of it by her freely discussing it. As I began to produce more artwork, my life slowly took a turn. At this point, the word "turn" is a positive word.

I began to sell my artwork to doctors, friends, and even people within the city that had seen my appearances on the television. In other words...I became very busy with my art. I always involved my art teacher's opinion in each piece, however. As Art 2 came to a close, which was during my sophomore year, I noticed that my art teacher began to make comments to me, in a very degrading manner. The comments were usually targeted towards my artwork, in a way that made me, as a student, feel disturbed. Besides that, I was accused of actually "stealing" another student's artwork, even though it was not me. Odd things began to take place in AND out the art room, and I was made aware of these happenings by students that were in other art classes besides mine. These students would ask me odd questions, such as, "Did you vandalize --the art teacher's-- classroom? She told us you did." One student made the comment that, "--the art teacher-- said she has taught you everything she knows." At the time...I had absolutely NO idea as to what this meant.

During the second semester of my junior year, I was to be enrolled in Art 3. To be bluntly honest...I dreaded the class, but I knew that if I did not take the class to earn credit, it would probably not look good, as I was wanting to major in art at the time. The very WEEK before the second semester was to begin, I was admitted into a hospital for several reasons. One reason was because of my anxiety of having to return to my art teacher's class, knowing that I would be the target and victim associated with ANYTHING that would happen. Another reason was because of my attitude at home. When I would get home from school...I would "release" my anger out on my parents, resulting from school. At the time, I felt like I was in a cage, and that no one would believe me about the things that I was experiencing at Sullivan North. I ended up staying in the hospital for a total of five days. On the first day of my admittance, I asked if I could be released in time to attend school for the beginning of the second semester. Again...I didn't want to miss school, because I wanted my records to appear as if I was an ideal student for college. Before being released, however, I was diagnosed with depression, and anxiety disorders.

Upon returning to Sullivan North...problems began to arise. Students from my art teacher's other classes began to notify me of remarks that were being made from my art teacher, regarding me. The remarks again ranged from, "Shanda vandalizes my property," to "Shanda's art is plagiarized." These remarks that I began to hear appeared very childish and juvenile in my eyes. I never wanted to believe these remarks, until other remarks were made clear to me, in person, from my art teacher. For the next month or so, I avoided making visits to the art room after school, and I avoided talking with my art teacher, unless it was unavoidable.

My parents assured me to the best benefit with the saying "to avoid a confrontation, avoid a conversation." Meanwhile, my attention was drawn to the fact that someone was in fact vandalizing the art teacher's property, because the school security officer "conveniently" made a visit to the art room while I was in art class, and pulls me out of the classroom to assure me, that, "Shanda, we are aware of what you are doing to --the art teacher's-- property. We're so sure that we'll put a camera outside if it doesn't stop, and catch you." This person, or group of people, was spray-painting vulgar statements on the outside window of the door into the art room. While the school officer was telling me the comment above...I was literally in shock. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I thought to myself over and over, "Why would they suspect me?" Still to this day, I haven't found an answer to justify my question.

Beginning again in approximately early March, my art teacher began to degrade me and my work each and every chance that she possibly could, unless there was another adult or student near hearing range, and if that was the case...you would have thought that I had just given her $10,000. Finally, I decided to bring my OWN personal art supplies to class, in hopes of not being so disturbed for each and every thing by her. It was agreed upon that my art teacher would keep MY supplies locked up in her small office, so that other students wouldn't be able to use them. From then on...I was to be found by MYSELF, using MY supplies, in the semi-empty room beside of the main art room. However, on the opposite side of that room was yet another art room, but the students NEVER bothered me, even though they would make frequent visits to see what I was painting.

About three days after being in the room by myself, and enjoying the quiet atmosphere...my art teacher loudly disturbs me by walking into the room, while I'm in the midst of painting, and tells me, "Shanda, I've decided that you need to be back in here. Get your things and come in here." I didn't know why I was told to do this...but I did it, because I didn't want to add to the many problems that there already were. Within approximately ten minutes, I had everything from my easel to my paints packed up, and ready to carry back into the main art room. When I arrive to re-setup my supplies...I am then told by my art teacher to "Pack up all that stuff and put it in the office. It doesn't need to be in here, Shanda." I then thought to myself..."Am I missing something? First, she encourages me to bring my personal supplies in, and to be to myself. Then...she tells me to pack them up and store them?" It made no sense to me.

Two and a half weeks pass, and while there have been remarks made, they are probably not of great importance at this point. Our art class is now working on clay. Half of the class is divided. Only four students have the privilege to work on clay, because there are only four potter's wheels. The remainder of that half, plus the other half of the class are basically free to do "whatever," as the art teacher told us. On this particular day, I am in the main art room, talking with a couple of my good friends, and rolling a small wad of clay around on the table beneath my arms, as I was bored. Normally, I would have been working on an art project...but the art teacher had given us NO assignments, and if we HAD an assignment, it would have been assigned at the beginning of the semester. Basically, we had NOTHING to do. Some students left the room, and went wherever they pleased, such as a friend of mine left to the restroom to smoke pot. Meanwhile...I have a question regarding an old assignment, and its' grade. The art teacher is NOWHERE to be found.

I walk into the other room where four students are at the potter's wheel. I search for the art teacher, and I still cannot find her. So, I ask the four students if they by any chance know where she would be. One of the four students said, "She went down the hall to talk to some teacher." It really frustrated me, but I walked back into the main art room where I was originally at. I continue to role the small wad of clay around on the table, while waiting patiently to ask my question when she returns. About ten minutes pass, and I heard my art teacher laughing and carrying on in the room where the four students are on the potter's wheel.

This really frustrated me. As a result, I wadded the clay up into a small ball, and I threw it against the wall. It landed on the top of a shelf. All of the sudden...here she comes. I hear her shoes as she's walking, and naturally, I turn to look in her direction. Instantly, our eyes met. She tells me, "Shanda, why are you just sitting there, and why did you just throw something?!" It wasn't, "Class, why are you just sitting there?!" It was ME. I looked her in the eye and said politely, "Because there is nothing to do, I can't be at the potter's wheel, and you can't be found." Even though she had NO proof that I was the one to throw the clay, she accuses me of it anyway. I was ALWAYS the victim. She tells me to come into her office...

As I meet her in the art office, she pushes the door up behind us, leaving a small crack open. This time, there was the other art teacher in the office with us. I had no idea as to why the other art teacher was in there. Again, she asked me why I wasn't doing anything. Basically...I stood up for myself nicely and told my art teacher that I had no assignment on which to work on, and that she was nowhere to be found. This made her VERY upset with me...and she walked back into the main art room, and apparently called the school disciplinary administrator, as well as my guidance counselor. When she came back into the small office, I noticed that her eyes are very watery, even though she was gone for a total of approximately two minutes. The next thing that I knew...the disciplinary administrator and my guidance counselor were in the office with us.

The office now consisted of me, my art teacher, the other art teacher, the disciplinary administrator, and my guidance counselor. They were all asking me questions, such as, "What's wrong with you?" My art teacher even made the comment, "Shanda, you need professional help." This comment resulted in me stating, "You're not my mother, and it's not for you to tell me what I need." I had done NOTHING, so why were all of these problems piled upon me? In a conversation that the school disciplinary administrator, my mother, and I had, which was during my sophomore year...the disciplinary administrator told my mother and I that my art teacher was VERY "intimidated" by me and my artwork. Please keep that statement in mind, as it will have a role shortly, and please keep in mind that my art teacher STILL had MY personal art supplies in HER office.

During the few minutes spent in the art office, the decision was made for me that I was to finish the year off in a STUDY HALL, and that I was NOT to enroll into Art 4 during my senior year, because, "I didn't deserve it," as I was told. This comment REALLY upset me, resulting in me crying. After the decision was made, my art teacher, the other art teacher, and the disciplinary administrator left the office, leaving only me and my guidance counselor. I was standing there crying, out of anger, and because I felt as if I was losing my RIGHT to take an advanced art class, over something that I couldn't even comprehend. I was stunned. My guidance counselor went out into the main art room to gather my books and purse, and brings them back into the office where I was. She told me that it would be fine to wait until the bell for fifth period until I had to leave, because I was so upset. Then, she left. I just couldn't believe what was happening to me, and all within ten minutes. FINALLY...the bell rang. I then left the art room, not knowing on that day that I would NEVER return, except to gather up my supplies.

The year went by quickly, while I had to spend fourth period in a study hall, with about only five people. Of course, I had nothing to do, so I spent the hour and fifteen minutes sleeping. Tell me, was this remotely FAIR?! I hardly ever saw my art teacher, UNTIL my third period I.D.S. class, which was "Papermaking." The class took place in the art room opposite of the room that I was in, by myself painting, while I was taking Art 3. The teacher that I had was NOT my art teacher, but the other one. She was a witness to everything that happened in the art office that day, but she and I had no problems. She would tell me things like, "Shanda, I'm very sorry to hear about that," and, "You really didn't deserve that, because --the art teacher-- was just jealous of you."

If I knew that my art teacher was anywhere near me, I would go into the other room, just to avoid her. In early May, after I had been in study hall for approximately two weeks, my mother called the disciplinary administrator to make an appointment to come and pick up my art supplies from my art teacher's office. I was made aware of the appointment, and was told to meet my mother after school. My mother and I drove to the BACK of the school, just to avoid my former art teacher, and to pick up my supplies by entering the back. As we entered the room, (which is NOT the main art room, but the room beside of it) my supplies were basically stashed in the corner. As I was quickly checking my supplies to make sure that I had everything, I noticed that over HALF of MY brushes were missing. My mother again notifies the disciplinary administrator that day, and he asked my former art teacher if she knew anything about it. Apparently he and my mother spoke again during the next day, and my mother was made aware of the fact my former art teacher "knew nothing about the missing supplies."

We all found this odd, because my supplies were LOCKED up in my former art teacher's office. They hadn't been touched until she moved them into the corner. Soon...the year ended, and it's time for summer! I just couldn't wait until my SENIOR year...which is SUPPOSED to be a year filled with wonderful memories, and GRADUATION!!!! I just had no idea that I wouldn't get to participate in my senior year. Please read these next few paragraphs as I explain to you the reasons that I was FORCED to drop-out, and to receive a G.E.D., while I am an HONOR STUDENT, as well as an artist.

It's now time for school to start back...with only nine months left until caps fly off!!!! I was determined to make this year my best yet, even if I couldn't take Art 4. According to the MANY comments that my art teacher had made to other students, I didn't NEED to take Art 2. The first two or three weeks passed by pretty quickly, but then...there was trouble. Plenty of it. Soon...I began to see my former art teacher, periodically passing her in the halls, and of course, I tried to avoid a confrontation. On one certain day, she passed me when there was NO ONE around, and said, "You have issues, Shanda."

I report this incident to the office. Later...students from my former art teacher's classes begin to tell me that she is making remarks such as, "Shanda was put into a psychiatric hospital. I wouldn't have anything to do with her." Please note that my former art teacher KNEW that I was hospitalized, and was the ONLY person in the school to know, except for the disciplinary administrator, as well as my guidance counselor. I certainly know that I didn't tell the students. On the day of senior superlative pictures, there was a student from the yearbook staff that went down to the art room to gather some props for my picture, and of course...it involved art. This student comes back, and to my surprise...guess what I get to BORROW as MY props?

MY ODDLY-MISSING PAINTBRUSHES!!!! Looking back, I should've went straight to the disciplinary administrator, but because of what I had ALREADY experienced, I knew that it would be of no use, and again...I would NOT be believed. Two weeks pass, and I am called to the office by the disciplinary administrator to be made aware of the fact that my former art teacher is accusing me of following her to the school of the mornings, tail-gaiting her, and bright-lighting her. Not only that, but I am THEN accused of flipping her the middle finger, and mouthing the phrase, "f**k you" to her, when the bell just rung to signal that it's time to go home. Please allow me to clarify that...when I supposedly flipped her the middle finger, and mouthed the phrase to her, it was approximately 2:05PM, which means that there are about eight-hundred students SWARMING the halls of Sullivan North, as it is time to go home. WHO WOULD BE, IN THEIR RIGHT MIND, DUMB ENOUGH TO COMMIT AN ACT OF SUCH IGNORANCE, ESPECIALLY AFTER SCHOOL WITH MANY, MANY, MANY STUDENTS AROUND TO WITNESS THIS ACT?!

Certainly not me. On top of being accused of this, I am lastly accused of "walking between my former art teacher and another teacher while they both stood right in front of the door to the restroom. I also add, I followed another student into the restroom, but she was not reported to the office." Again, allow me to clarify that when this supposedly happened, it is approximately 7:20AM, when school first begins, with approximately eight-hundred students SWARMING the halls to get to first period. No one is allowed to enter any other halls except for the MAIN hall, which includes the restrooms, the gymnasium, the auditorium, and the cafeteria, as well as some classrooms, and administration. Isn't it ODD how there were NO witnesses to this action that I supposedly committed? Thankfully...that's all that I was accused with. The only thing that I could say after hearing all of this was, "What?" Then...I am told that I am to appear at the Sullivan County Disciplinary Board for a hearing, and a possibility of fifteen days of out-of-school suspension for something I haven't even done. Again...I began to cry, out of anger. I asked if I could leave school for the day, because I was so upset.

I left in shock. I told my parents about everything, as I always have done, and on the date of the hearing...my parents and I attended to explain my case, and everything that has happened involving the art teacher of Sullivan North High School. The board is supposedly "shocked," and "upset" to hear such a case, as they commented...but I am voted against. I have no chance to prove my innocence. None. My mother brings up the topic regarding the disciplinary administrator making the comment of my former art teacher telling him that she was "intimidated" by me and my artwork, and while he was present at this hearing, he flat out denied it. What kind of people are employed in these schools?! When my parents and I are informed that I am to remain out-of-school for the next fifteen days...we protested. We decide that it would be more beneficial to me if I were to receive a G.E.D., and altogether stop attending Sullivan North, or any other Sullivan County high school, due to certain untruthful, jealous faculty members. Besides...why would I have even WANTED to go back to Sullivan North, knowing that I would have to face my former art teacher, and be accused of more things? Why would I have wanted to transfer schools, when my friends and memories are at Sullivan North? Would that be fair? Why not punish the person, or in this case, PERSONS responsible?

Within the next four weeks, I received my G.E.D. I must say, it disgusted me to be in a room testing with people that had no education, and no teeth. I attended school, and earned good grades, only to receive a G.E.D.?! Please tell me...was this fair? What about my future? What about other students that have talent? Will they be "envied" and be forced to drop-out? I can assure you that if you knew a THIRD of the things that go on in Sullivan North High School...you would literally be shocked and sickened. There are teachers there, at this moment...that do nothing but gossip DURING CLASS about other teachers...in regards to who they think should "have sex with." Can you believe that some teachers of Sullivan North actually "flirt" with the female students, and ADMIT to being bi-sexual?

There are teachers there that CUSS at their students...words as bad as can be imagined. I'm sorry...but I don't believe such language should be used towards students. It shouldn't be used by the students, and it definitely shouldn't be used by the faculty. Sullivan North can no longer have pep-rallies, due to the behavior of the majority of the students. In case you are wondering why the students are so "disrespectful," perhaps you should take a good, long, and close look at the so-called "mentors" that they do have...the faculty. Some students don't have parents to care for them, and to guide them in the correct direction in life. School should be a safe, and fun LEARNING environment in which to take place in. Students should NOT have to dread or fear school, for ANY reason, or in my case...be FORCED to drop-out. After all...it is today's youth that will take over tomorrow's future. And, after all...it's only the futures of good students that are being toyed with, only because of a certain faculty member's incapabilities. Nothing more. How many more students are going to be devastated before we FINALLY realize that there is an ODD increase in G.E.D.'s being received? What's wrong with this picture?

My mother works in a public office of downtown Kingsport. You simply would not believe the number of parents of Sullivan County school students that have complaints and problems with the system. The VERY sad thing about these complaints is that there is a similar pattern. This pattern consists of VERY good, talented students having the problems. Have we REALLY interviewed the employees of these schools, or rather, the students that are being FORCED out? Should lie-detector tests be REQUIRED in the pre-screening interview nowadays? Hopefully...I have made my point about Sullivan North High School, as well as the Sullivan County School System. I have sent this e-mail to, not only the Tennessee Department of Education, but also to the Sullivan County School Superintendent, Mr. John O'Dell. I know that NOTHING will be done about the issue. Let's prevent this from happening, and let's take a closer look at the faculty of Sullivan North High School. I know now, that leaving that "school" and its' environment has made me much stronger and more determined to make something of myself. Also, I am in the process, with the support of my family, of writing and publishing a book telling of my many experiences in the Sullivan County School System, and of the many cracks that is has. I'm just so glad that I didn't fall through one of those MANY cracks.

I have no idea what you are talking about with your brother. This website doesn't deal with children born out of wedlock except as a social stat. As usual you aren't fussing about what I present is/isn't true, just pissed-off it got presented. Your solution is the typical solution for everything in Bristol in regards to poverty and political corruption, move out.

As for a "mockery," much of what I present is right out of the local newspapers, that is what they and fellow citizens are saying. Perhaps they should move out as well. Considering our huge population losses of those under 40, it seems many have taken your advice.