P.R.I.N.C.I.P.A.L: Patient; Respectful; Inspiration; Negotiable; Caring; Intelligent; Partner; Admirable; Leader.

All these words describe the principal at Robert Lewis Middle School. It is now the end of the school year and until this day nothing has been publicized about the wonderful leader at Robert Lewis Middle School.

Our children finally got what they deserve and that is a person who not only cares about a leading position, but who cares about them and their future. As far as I can remember, we haven’t had this type of care since Mr. Larry Jackson and Dr. Willie Hoskins. Now that our children have the leader that they so deserve, it looks like they are in for yet another big let down.

In today’s society, some of our children need a father figure and someone that they can trust. In the year of 2006 students received the trust and authority figure from Mr. Larry Hooper, whom is a big inspiration, a leader, a friend and a counselor all-in-one. At the beginning of the school year, I stayed at the middle school in fear for my son, but once I saw Mr. Hooper was in charge, there was no reason for me to make daily arrivals at the school. I knew that everything was going to be alright.

Mr. Hooper sees children as children. We all know that when we are children we think and do as a child. He punishes our children for the things that they have done but he doesn’t hold them accountable for the rest of their lives. In so many cases, we are guilty of putting a label on children for things they have done in the past; but with Mr. Hooper, yesterday was yesterday and today is today.

It’s sad to say, but it is true that people don’t care. The first thing that is said is, “I don’t care, it’s not my child,” but Mr. Hooper thinks of all the students as his own.

What an outstanding man.

Just wait until those test scores get back, then maybe some of us will see the marvelous work that Mr. Hooper has done with Robert Lewis Middle School.

Elaine Galmore

Natchez resident