The StigMa

Valedictorian-Salutatorian Scandal
“There was something about doing right that satisfied me. I had to live my teaching. So picking my battles was easy. I fought the one in front of me. Alvin was like a son. At that point, I decided to become a little boy’s hero, and, a little girl’s villain.”

Anatomy of a Cheating System
“Dr. Kroll admitted that department chair and teachers looked at the exam, used the knowledge of the exam and taught students on the material and yet referred to it as, “not a major incident”. For the role of catalyst in the cheating incident, Kroll’s punishment to a frontline offender, “a letter was placed in his permanent record.” He was later promoted. Cheating was incentivized.”

Betty’s Battle
“Fetchit and Betty were involved in a verbal altercation with Middle School Principal McGill and High School Assistant Principal Musso. The conversation stayed professional until Fetchit asked McGill to cease his ‘cantankerous’ behavior. McGill then asked Fetchit, “Do you even know how to spell that word. You learned a new vocabulary word while having a cup of coffee with your wife and now you want to use it on me?” It was a critical moment in the exchange. On the brown side of the River, McGill was reputed as culturally insensitive with interpersonal skills that were wanting.”

Back to Me
“I noticed her at the local bank of all places. Lupita-dark. Almond-shaped eyes with attractively contrasting pools of brown and white. That smile, teeth, manner. Nah. Trouble. She must get a lot of attention, I thought. I didn’t need that. As I walked by I spied her tag. Ballard was her last name. I had friends with that last name. Eleventh Street. Barataria. Not possible, I thought but why not.”