Three Decades Later, Niece Wears Woodward Academy Uniform

I cannot express the emotions that went through me Monday morning as my smart, beautiful and oh-so-Valley Girly niece Ryann emerged from the Upper School's Dean's Office of Woodward Academy.

There she was, wearing the same blue WA polo top and crisp skirt that I wore (with none of the smarts, class and non-regional English that comes so easy to her, mind you) some 30 years ago.

Ryann Poe, 14, is continuing what is now a "tradition" in my family. She is a pursuing her high school education at Woodward Academy, established 111 years ago in College Park as Georgia Military Academy.

As I, Class of 1981, walked the campus with my brother, Brian, Class of 1984, I took note of how so much had changed and how so much had remained the same.

The campus is much larger now and there are a few more African-American faces around, especially in key positions such as Chaplain and Dean of Students.

But the feel of the place, for me, at least, seemed just the same. Woodward is the well-rounded students' paradise. It's not the place for the rare brilliant kid, nor the super-rich. Sure, they are there but, in my humble opinion, Woodward is more about arming kids with the things they need to thrive in this world: sports, creativity, character, diversity and academic knowledge.

It's not always easy being a Woodward Academy War Eagle. Especially when you are African-American and it seems all your friends are going to the popular community schools with the cool cheers, clothes and boys (what black graduate of a predominantly-white private school hasn't heard of and anxiously awaited the new movie, "The Prep School Negro?")

But, even the challenge of being labeled a "nerd" or, worse, a "sell out," is part of character-building that the private school education offers. You have to learn to travel in, feel comfortable in, different crowds.

I love my alma mater and what it stands for and I'm proud of my niece.

So, here's to the next generation. Go get 'em, Ryann.