If You Need To Puke, But Can't

[AUChizad]

http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20090218/ARTICLES/902180323?Title=Second-graders-get-surprise-from-Saban#

By Tom Smith
Senior Staff Writer

Published: Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at 3:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at 12:24 a.m.

FLORENCE - What started out as lesson in letter-writing turned into a pleasant surprise for Connie Gilley's second-grade class.

Eighteen Forest Hills Elementary School students took part in a writing class project supervised by intern teacher Ashley Mauldin, who is a University of North Alabama student.

"Everyone goes to the Internet, but we wanted them to be aware of the importance of letter-writing," Gilley said.

Mauldin said the class project took place Feb. 4 and although it wasn't planned that way, that date was college football's national signing day.

"We were going to write to their parents and then we got to talking about signing day and most of the students in the class are huge Alabama fans, so the students decided they had rather write to Coach (Nick) Saban."

Even the students who aren't Alabama fans wrote letters to Saban.

Some of the letters referred to certain players, such as graduating quarterback John Parker Wilson, or how much the letter writer loved Alabama football.

Kenzie Cornelius, 7, wrote about her favorite player and also had some suggestions for Saban concerning a new quarterback.

"I loved John Parker Wilson; he was cute. I hope you get a new cute boy again," Kenzie wrote. "I hope you get another good team. P.S.: You rock and Roll Tide."

Less than a week after the letters were sent to Saban, the students got a response.

"He sent us a thank you card and a team photo and a box, which was filled with Alabama football T-shirts," Gilley said. "They were so excited. We had no idea we would get the shirts."

On Tuesday, the students were busy writing thank you notes to Saban.

Even the class' lone Tennessee fan, Hannah Benson, 8, was wearing her Alabama shirt Tuesday.

"My dad didn't know what to say when I told him we were getting the shirts," said Benson, who admitted she now pulls for Alabama except when they play Tennessee.

"I know they're going to be better this year," said Martavis Powers, 7, who had just finished his note.

In addition to the thank you notes, the class had a special surprise planned for Saban - a box of Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Cakes, his favorite.

"It'll be a surprise for him this time," Mauldin said.

[The Prowler]

I have heard that brainwashing is a bitch to get rid of.

[Birmingham]

Glad to see the youngsters taking an interest in sports.

[Jumbo]

Saban has 2 of the kids coming in for a visit this weekend.

[AWK]

I heard Saban implements the "Bump rule" so much that he now has Parkinson's induced herpes.

[boartitz]

What are those 3 kids in the back holding? Little Debbies?
Is that the new hotness to replace the toilet paper and washing powder?

[War Eagle!!!]

I would be one pissed off mother fucker if I saw my kid in an Alabama shirt and writing letters to Saban. I would raise fucking hell....

[Townhallsavoy]

Don't worry - we have some guys on the frontline as well.  I worked at a summer camp one summer and taught my entire group of 15 boys the Auburn fight song.  One of them was a kid who wore a Bama shirt every day to camp.  He had Bama hats, Bama jerseys, Bama shorts, etc. 

Well, I finally convinced this kid to start saying "War Eagle" every time I saw him.  His dad found out and raised hell.  The best part was that the kid got bitched out so much by his dad because of it, that the kid told me one day that he hated Alabama. 

The kid was 6.  I kinda felt bad about the whole ordeal, but then again, this kid may grow up to be a 6'3 210 pound receiver with 4.3 speed.  I've done my part. 

[Tiger Wench]

Spencer will be 2 next Friday - he can't say his last name but he already knows how to say "Bama stinks..."

[Saniflush]

Spencer will be 2 next Friday - he can't say his last name but he already knows how to say "Bama stinks..."

Damn 2 already?  Time has a way of getting away.

[AWK]

Spencer will be 2 next Friday - he can't say his last name but he already knows how to say "Bama stinks..."

I'm starting to feel old.

[AUTiger1]

Don't worry - we have some guys on the frontline as well.  I worked at a summer camp one summer and taught my entire group of 15 boys the Auburn fight song.  One of them was a kid who wore a Bama shirt every day to camp.  He had Bama hats, Bama jerseys, Bama shorts, etc. 

Well, I finally convinced this kid to start saying "War Eagle" every time I saw him.  His dad found out and raised hell. The best part was that the kid got bitched out so much by his dad because of it, that the kid told me one day that he hated Alabama. 

The kid was 6.  I kinda felt bad about the whole ordeal, but then again, this kid may grow up to be a 6'3 210 pound receiver with 4.3 speed. I've done my part. 

Growing up in the family I did, I know how that kid feels.  My dad was never pushy about wanting me to be a bama fan, but the rest of the family couldn't figure out why I wasn't a bammer, UT or LSU fan.  They never stopped to think that their obnoxious asses made me hate them all.  Hard times growing up being one of three Aubies in the family.

That is outstanding, hopefully the kid will grow up with the hating bama. 

[AUTiger1]

Spencer will be 2 next Friday - he can't say his last name but he already knows how to say "Bama stinks..."

That makes me smile.  Keep up the good work!

[Buzz Killington]

Until last November, my son didn't even know it was possible for Alabama to win an Iron Bowl.  Even though he knows it's possible now...he still shares my disgust with all things crimpsum.

[CCTAU]

I would be one pissed off mother fucker if I saw my kid in an Alabama shirt and writing letters to Saban. I would raise fucking hell....

I would hope and like to think that my children would just laugh and let them know they prefer to write to someone else. Besides, my kids have enough AU stuff that they proudly wear one just about each day to school. Screw bama.

[Tiger Wench]

Damn 2 already?  Time has a way of getting away.

i know... it makes me sad... but then I remember that it is one year closer to that Auburn scholarship...

[AWK]

i know... it makes me sad... but then I remember that it is one year closer to that Auburn scholarship...

Hah, QB? OL? DE? 

[Tiger Wench]

Hah, QB? OL? DE? 

SAT...

[Kaos]

SAT...

Start quizzing them now.  From experience, it's a tough field. 

My daughter had the whole package -- 4.0, church service, mission work, athletics, debate team, scholar's bowl, honor societies, blah blah blah.  But she went to a dinky private school -- about our only option -- and it was lacking in some of the sciences.  It hurt her on the ACT.  I don't remember the numbers now, but whatever Auburn's minimum was (I think 30) she was a point off.  None of the rest of it mattered.  That one stinking damn point. 

She ended up getting a scholarship, but we had to start yanking every string we could find and it still doesn't cover everything.

Not to brag -- well yes, to brag -- but the work on making sure she was well rounded and grounded has really paid off.  She is knocking the academic ball out of the park (100+ average in calculus) and still managing to be actively involved in other stuff.  She's adapted FAR better than I did when I went to college the first time. 

[AuburnChopper 3.0]

Not to brag -- well yes, to brag -- but the work on making sure she was well rounded and grounded has really paid off.  She is knocking the academic ball out of the park (100+ average in calculus) and still managing to be actively involved in other stuff. 

Sincerely.. That's awesome.  Good for her.