Carl Stone '67 Reads His Poem
From Acrostics, to Haikus, and everything in between, the Madison Central School fifth grade classes covered it all during their recent poetry unit. Students spent several weeks learning about and writing a variety of poetry to expand their understanding of the medium.
They also learned about how poetry can be used as a form of performing arts. On Wednesday, November 29th, each student did exactly that as Mrs. Nolan and Mrs. Blake’s classes presented the first Madison Central School fifth grade poetry slam. As an audience looked on, each student provided a glimpse into their mindset, creativity, and experiences as they shared their original work on stage.
The experience helps students to not only gain a greater understanding of poetry, but it also helps them develop lifelong communication and presentation skills that will be of tremendous benefit down the road.
If the students needed any more convincing that public speaking and poetry can be lifelong pursuits, they met living proof during the day’s festivities. MCS alumnus Carl Stone ‘67 returned to the building that has made many moments and memories for him, and numerous members of his family who have walked its halls over 90-plus years.
He came to inspire young minds with a poem he wrote about those halls, which was created for a building re-dedication ceremony held in 2003. The appreciation and admiration Mr. Stone has for MCS was very evident during his reading, which he performed 20 years after it was written. We are pleased to share that poem with you below, and it will soon find a permanent home in the history section of our website.
Good Ole MCS
Written by Carl Stone, MCS Class of 1967
Authored in 2003
In the little town of Madison
Back in nineteen thirty-two.
The work they'd started, finally done,
They had a brand new school.
The people came from all around
To get a look inside.
It was the center of the town,
A source of immense pride.
So large that it cannot be filled,
The people then would say,
But those ole farmers on the hills
Set out to fill it anyway.
So additions were put on it
As the years went by.
And the people looked upon it,
With a prideful caring eye.
But it's a struggle for a small town
To keep up in this great race,
'Cause progress goes in leaps and bounds
at such a frightening pace.
So a merger then was talked about
With schools just down the road.
The people answered with a shout
In a resounding NO!
Sure, learning was what it's about
But it was even more
Like the kids that played their hearts out
Right there on that gym floor.
All, the hot night graduations
All the concerts, all the plays
All a part of education
Back in their ole school days.
And what about those ole school dances
While they listened to the band
When some shy boy took his chances
And tried to hold her hand.
For some it was the big events,
For others just the small
But even if it made no sense,
That ole buildin touched 'em all
See, to them that school was so much more
Than just concrete and lumber,
'Cause it held memories for sure
Too numerous to number.
It was a measure of their strength
And of their pride I guess.
'Cause they would go to any length
to save ole MCS.
That brings us right to where we are,
At a building dedication.
What do we think we've gained thus far
With this massive renovation.
Exactly what was our main goal
When we fixed up this ole school?
The truth of it should now be told
Lest some of us be fooled.
Will our kids all now be smarter?
I can't imagine so.
Will they all study harder?
The Good Lord only knows.
Now will our staff achieve perfection
As they go about their tasks?
Flawless in their direction?
That would be a lot to ask.
NO, There is no guaranteed success,
Just an opportunity,
For those that come to MCS
To be the best that they can be.
This building shows the faith we have,
And we will boast of it,
In our great children and our staff
To make the most of it.
And now a tribute we should pay,
To those back in thirty-two,
For where we've been, and are today
And what we've yet to do.
Cause it's a building that we dedicate,
And it's fitting that we do it.
Just remember what will make it great,
Are the PEOPLE that pass through it.
