Celebrations & Special Occasions

I have been at NGFS for a long time, 25 years to be exact. It is true what they say, whoever they are, time flies when you are having fun. I have gotten to do a lot at NGFS, I've taught some class to kids of every age at some point in my time here. I have loved being a head of school with Marty and now flying solo. And four years ago, the one thing that I had always said NGFS hadn't afforded me the opportunity to do, I finally got the opportunity to do; coach girls basketball.

When NGFS began its upper division program, varsity athletics came into existence; and I became a first year coach. (My 3rd, or 4th, or 5th-I lose count-dream job I've had at NGFS.) Our first year we truly began from scratch. I had kids who wanted to play basketball, who hadn't had a lot of experience. I was a coach who had always wanted to coach but never had. We only had the SAC for practices. We wouldn't have been described as very good, but the girls worked hard, learned and learned and learned, never gave up, had a great time and finally won a game late in the season.

The second year came and we improved and won 4 games. The third year came and we improved and won 6 games and learned to be competitive against almost everyone. We are now in our 4th year and we are good. We have experience and we could win 20 games. We are even hosting our own invitational tournament next week. Most importantly, we play-win or lose-with sportsmanship and class. Other teams compliment our girls after almost every game. They tell us we are not like most other teams they play and wish other teams were like us.

Throughout these four year two girls, Erin and Grace, have been there since day one. They have been leaders, captains, and starters from the beginning. They have established the foundation of a program NGFS can know honors the mission of the school. Tonight at 4 oclock they will play their last regular season home game. I celebrate their efforts and can say I am honored that they were willing to put up with me as an inexperienced coach and help me grow as they grew and as they helped the program grow. Thanks is not enough and yet I think it mostly simply and thoroughly captures my gratitude to these two incredible NGFS student-athletes. They will be missed but all they have done will only be built onto in the future. A coach, a program, a school could not ask for two better, strong founders of a program. Again thanks to each of you and thanks to both of you.

On February 24 NGFS will be co-sponsoring a concert by Quaker folksinger Carrie Newcomer. Carrie has performed in Greensboro before and came to NGFS to work with our students one other time in the 1990's. We are thrilled to be a part of bringing her back to Greensboro. Her concert will be at 7:30 in the meeting room at New Garden Friends Meeting. The concert is free but donations will be accepted to support NGFS and Friends Center at Guilford College. Come out and bring the kids, you will be thrilled you came. Any of us who have ever seen her in concert once, go back again and again.

To read more about Carrie and her latest release go to http://carrienewcomer.com/#Celebrated-Singer-Songwriter-Carrie-Newcomer-Releases-New-Album-Before-And-After-On-Rounder-Records-February-23-2010.html

On April 25th from 3 to 5 at the Carolina Theater NGFS and Replacements Ltd will present "Many Friends, Many Voices 2010; a celebration of the music of Greensboro. We hope this will become the first of a series that will promote the diverse and vibrant arts community of Greensboro. Many local artists will share their music this afternoon. We are also honord to have Joan Garry as our keynote speaker. She is a current leader in ongoing civil rights causes and has a special affinity for NGFS and the innovative education we provide.

More information will be coming very soon. We hope you will be able to come to this incredible event, the entire family will have a great time.