Edison Arnette, Jr., the principal of Lake View High School, was presented the First Baptist Church of Lake View’s Community Spotlight Award on Sunday, March 15th.
Megan P. Shelley said that Arnette was a “pillar of the community” and had spent countless hours working with the youth.
Rev. Lyn Anderson, pastor of First Baptist Church, said there was something sacred about community service. He gave some background on the Community Spotlight honoree.
Arnette is a graduate of Dillon High School and Furman University. He received his master’s degree in educational administration from the University of South Carolina.
Arnette began teaching at Lake View High School where he coached various sports including softball, baseball, and J.V. football. In 1991, he became principal of Lake View High School.
Arnette and his wife, Barbara Ann, have two children, Brooks and Mackenzie.
A VIDEO OF THE PRESENTATION
Tamara Nance Bethea, assistant principal at Lake View High School, said that Arnette had been her teacher and had hired her to teach at Lake View High School.
She said as her U.S. History teacher, she watched him go back to school to get his master’s degree. He also taught her to be detailed and to explain things. He hired her as a teacher to work hard, and as his assistant principal, they work together as a team for Team Lake View.
Bethea said Arnette respects hard work and is a blessing for the students, faculty, and staff at Lake View. She said he was a “man of strong conviction and character.”
“He means what he says, and he says what he means,” said Bethea, who called Arnette “a true man of honor and integrity.” She said that she respects him and loves him as a boss and a father figure. She said he has a motto that “Kids don’t care what you know until they know you care.”
Bethea presented Arnette with an “Award of Excellence.”
Erica Wright, a teacher at Lake View High School, was also a student and said Arnette was a great coach, who pushed his players to be the best and got the best out of his players and his students.
Wright said as a student who became an employee, Arnette took care of you and made you a part of his team. Wright said Arnette was the best employer she had ever had and called him a “caring, dedicated principal” and “giving leader.”
She said she could not think of anyone more deserving of this award.
Rev. Adrienne Anderson was the next to speak and gave the statement of purpose for the award. She said Arnette had a major impact and was a source of pride and inspiration. She said Arnette not only goes the extra mile, but encourages his students to go the extra mile to be their best. She said as principal of Lake View High School, Arnette was an inspiration and role model for students and teachers.
Arnette and his family were called forward. Tony Cooke made the presentation of the award.
Dillon District Four Superintendent Ray Rogers, assisted by Kathryn Thompson, presented Arnette a House Resolution on behalf of Rep. Jackie Hayes, who was unable to attend.
Rogers said one of the last things he did when he served in Lake View was to hire Arnette as principal. He spoke of how deserving he was of the honor.
Arnette thanked everyone. He came to work in Lake View in 1983. He said Lake View was a great place to rear a family. He said there was something special about Lake View kids. He said he learned in the Lake View community that a man is valued here if he works hard and his word is good. He said he learned to look at all perspectives.
Arnette said right before Christmas the students raised money for children who are needy. They collected 2,000 canned goods, 16 bicycles, and countless presents. He said kids who were needy themselves were picking up pennies on the playground to help other children. He said if there was ever a tragedy or a war, etc, to send him in with Lake View students.
Arnette said he was not the one who should be honored, it should be you (the community). He said every day they send him their most valuable possessions and give him that honor every day. He said he hopes he is worthy, the staff is worthy, and the community is worthy. He said that the kids were important, and he hoped they didn’t lose track of that fact.
After Arnette’s remarks and special music, Rev. Lyn Anderson gave the Community Spotlight Address. A meal was served following the service.
PHOTO GALLERY
(PHOTOS BY JOHNNIE DANIELS/THE DILLON HERALD)
