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Board clears way for Rowell to be salutatorian

By Lynn Hotaling
Though school officials issued a statement Monday (Feb. 28) clearing the way for his son to become salutatorian, a local father is far from satisfied.

Jim Rowell of Cullowhee, whose 18-year-old son, A.J. was second-ranked among Smoky Mountain High School seniors after fall semester, said Monday that his position hasn't changed.

"The question is 'Who is the valedictorian,' and the answer is still 'There isn't one.' That's the wrong answer," Jim Rowell said. "We have not changed our resolve in this matter. This has been a matter of principle. We ask you again, and obviously many in the community are asking you the same thing - do the right thing."

Jim Rowell's comments to school leaders came after Nancy Danner of Sylva presented them with a petition on behalf of A.J. Rowell. Some 2,000 signatures were on the document, which asks the Jackson County School Board to reinstate the honors of valedictorian and salutatorian at this year's SMHS graduation, Danner said.

His remarks also followed a three-page school board statement read by Chairman Martha Queen, during which Queen partially reversed an earlier board decision that stipulated there would be neither a valedictorian nor salutatorian at this year's Smoky Mountain commencement; Queen reiterated the board's decision to eliminate a valedictorian from this year's commencement.

School officials based their decision to eliminate the traditional graduation honors, made during a Dec. 22 closed session, on incorrect information provided by SMHS Principal Ken Henke, Queen said.

"At that time, Mr. Henke provided the information that the designations of valedictorian and salutatorian were not used and had not been used during previous graduation exercises at Smoky Mountain High School. Based on this information, which we later learned was incorrect, the board did not foresee a problem when we approved one student's proposed agreement," the statement reads.

The agreement mentioned is one board members approved for Jennifer Parker, 17, who was ranked number one after fall semester and is one of five SMHS seniors facing felony charges in connection with December pipe-bomb detonations that destroyed a portable toilet at the new Scotts Creek school construction site. The only information released by school officials after the Dec. 22 session was that final disciplinary action had been taken with regard to two students. Henke, who is in his first year as principal after five years as an SMHS assistant principal, confirmed Tuesday that the error was his.

"I just didn't remember," he said. "I said we didn't have (a valedictorian and salutatorian), and nobody questioned it."

Programs from SMHS graduation ceremonies since 1994 reveal speeches by students identified as valedictorian and salutatorian each year. According to the programs, Henke has participated in each commencement since 1995. Superintendent Frank Burrell awarded diplomas in both 1998 and 1999, and his son graduated in 1998. Two of school board member Ray Trine's five daughters have graduated within the last six years.

The fact that neither a valedictorian nor a salutatorian would be named this year was brought to light by Jim Rowell and his wife, Rena, on Feb. 2. They received a letter Jan. 31 informing them of the board's decision to eliminate the traditional graduation honors.

The Rowells have retained attorney John Gresham of Charlotte to represent them in the matter. Jim Rowell contends that because his son is the highest-ranked senior currently in school, the valedictorian title belongs to A.J. as it would if the top-ranked student had moved away from the area.

Principal Henke said Tuesday that Rowell will now be named salutatorian. "It was always my intention to recognize (A.J. Rowell's) achievements," Henke said.

Jim Rowell told school board members Monday night that he and his family had not organized either the petition drive or the letters to the editor that have appeared in The Sylva Herald. He also expressed his family's gratitude to all in the community who have supported them: "I have on hundreds of occasions over the last 30 years told people what a great place Jackson County is. It's a great place to live, a great place to raise children," he said. "Sometimes people in Charlotte, or Raleigh, or Washington, D.C., have looked at me in obvious disbelief when I told them 'I'd rather be in Cullowhee.'

"But when I went to the Speedwell General Store last Wednesday and saw the names on the petition - people we don't know personally - I went back to my car and sat and cried some big tears. We are here tonight to say thank you to the community. People and principles still matter here.

"Given the circumstances as they exist, and based on his performance, A.J. Rowell is the valedictorian of this class," Jim Rowell said to loud applause.

Queen's lengthy statement, received more soberly by the 150 or so in attendance, contended that board members had been as open and honest as they could be under the law.

Though several sources have said Parker is suspended from school, Queen's statement said Parker "has not withdrawn from school and remains legally enrolled."

Principal Henke declined comment as to whether students sentenced to long-term suspensions remain enrolled.

School board attorney Richard Schwartz of Raleigh, who was present for the first hour of Monday's meeting, said earlier this month that Parker is no longer attending classes at SMHS and will not be allowed to attend the high school's graduation ceremony.

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