By By Adam Prestridge
Today marks the first day of August. Yes, you heard correctly, August.
It seems just like yesterday that the school bells rang closing another school year. In less than two weeks, those same bells will ring once again, ushering in yet another school year. Another graduating class will begin their journey towards graduation and another football team will soon hit the gridiron in hopes of earning a playoff berth and ultimately a state championship.
Time sure flies. It seems like when I was in high school, the days were so drawn out, whether I was buried in a history book or playing a game of tag football during P.E. class. Now that I am out of school, it seems like there is no time in the day and some days it is difficult to keep pace with the fast pace of today's world.
August is an exciting time in the newspaper business. Not only does having school in session almost always guarantee a good story, but it keeps you busy. From guest speakers, field trips, awards days and field days to the various sporting events, there is never a dull moment.
With August comes planning for the Advance's annual county-wide football magazine featuring photos and in-depth preview stories on Escambia County, Flomaton, W.S. Neal and T.R. Miller high schools and Escambia Academy's football teams, cheerleading squads and bands. The magazine also features players that area diehard football fans should take notice of while on the gridiron this year and a coaching notebook including each head coach's offensive and defensive scheme, records and assistants.
Also in August the Advance features photos of the new faces that have joined each school in Atmore. In addition, the paper includes features on some of the key administrative changes that occurred over the summer at those same schools. Today's front page feature on Escambia County High School's new principal, Carl Raley, is a great example of such a story. Even though Raley is no stranger to the City of Atmore or to ECHS, we feel such a key change in public education is worthy of a story giving the new administrator the opportunity to share his plans for the school.
There are a lot of huge things on the horizon for Atmore schools and all parents, alumni and supporters of the schools should show their support and attend booster club meetings, athletic events and any other school function. Support not only shows that you have a true care for the school, but it also gives the administration and teachers of those schools confidence to continue working hard to educate our youth, Atmore's future.
Even though it is a bummer to local students, we at the Advance embrace the start of school.
Adam Prestridge is publisher of the Atmore Advance. He can be reached at 368-2123.