Mountain Music Comes to the Lowcountry

Mary Alice Satterfield

Clapping hands, tapping toes, smiling faces, and do-si-dos: all come together when Jeff Robbins is in the house doing what he loves best—playing mountain music. He has an engaging way and relates easily to children of all ages.

His knowledge of Mountain Music and the instrumentation it uses is broad—he has just the right accompaniment for each song. He brings a number of instruments to have available for performances. Guitar, banjos, fiddle, dulcimer, and mandolin are all on stage—each cradled in an instrument stand—ready and waiting to be used. Jeff plays all of them very well. On certain songs he uses a jaw harp which adds a signature twang to the mountain sound.

All of these elements were present on Tuesday, February 15, when students and teachers gathered in Trident Academy’s Multi-Purpose Room. The stage lights were reflected in the shiny woods used in the making of instruments Jeff was to play. Excited anticipation filled the room. We were ready for a good time.

The show began with energy that was sustained throughout the entire performance. Jeff’s enthusiasm was contagious! As hands kept time to music, All of us could not help but sing along. Happy responses were displayed by our applause and big smiles. One song kept us singing and laughing as we tried to make the correct motions for “Honk! Honk! Rattle, Rattle, Rattle, Crash! Beep! Beep!” Another favorite was “Sit Down Square Dance” during which Jeff “called” the motions to be made. The fact that the all of us remained in our seats did not mean that the movements we made were passive. It was fun!

Before and after the performance, Jeff and his wife Marci, presented workshops for the students. Each boy and girl made a “One String Pork-N-Bean Guitar” from a tin can brought from home that became attached to a piece of wood 2½ X15-20 inches. A guitar string, a nail, and an eye screw were used to finish the transformation into a bona fide, playable instrument. It is probably a sure thing that the guitars made that day will last a good while. Just seeing one sitting on a shelf will serve as a great way to call to mind a wonderful afternoon singing and playing with Jeff Robbins--one of the best mountain music ambassadors there is. What a treat!

                                                                                     

                                                                                    Mary Alice Satterfield

A Night to Remember

Rhonda McKenna

 I have recently witnessed a newsworthy event that I felt needed to be shared. It was Trident Academy’s Homecoming! The basketball was very exciting, but I have to admit what made the night memorable for me was watching my daughter stand in front of the entire crowd with an amazingly huge smile across her face. This was her first experience for being nominated Homecoming Queen. Not only was she beautiful, she was happy! In order to truly appreciate this event you have to know my daughter. She is not the kind of girl who likes being center of attention at all. In fact, it truly is something she struggles with. She has always worked so hard at blending in throughout her school career. If the teachers didn’t notice her, they wouldn’t single her out and make her feel badly about what she didn’t know. Now that she is a student at Trident Academy, she feels more confident about herself and is beginning to appreciate being recognized for who she is -- a lovely young lady who learns differently. She had the confidence that night to stand in front of a very crowded gymnasium full of parents, faculty, and her peers. I know how nervous she was because I watched her carefully walk down our stairs in her heels (which is not a normal shoe choice of hers) with a look on her face asking me if she could really go through with this. This was something she never would have done two years ago, and the fact that she was able to follow through with this event speaks volumes. I truly get very emotional when I think about how far she has come and how supportive this school has been in getting her there. She is having experiences she never would in another school setting. Although she did not get crowned Homecoming Queen that evening, the memory will be with her forever. Thank you Trident for helping my daughter realize how amazing she is!

Rhonda McKenna
Proud mother of Senior Fallon McKenna

A Student's Voice Part 2

Austin Thompson
Editor's Note: Austin wrote this essay in Writers' Workshop and was willing to share it with our community.

When I was ten years old, I was told I had dyslexia. At that time all my academic problems were explained to me so that I could understand them. My mom then discovered Trident Academy, a school for students with learning differences. The first year I went to Trident, I was in 5^th grade, and I could hardly read. I would do anything to get out of reading in front of anyone. It wasn't that I did not want to read; it was that I knew that I would mess up, and I would be embarrassed.

A Student's Voice

Luke Jeresaty

Editor's Note: Luke wrote this essay in Writers' Workshop and was willing to share it with our community.

        In the fifth grade, despite being considered as one of the smartest students in my grade, I was a mess. I felt like I couldn't get through a day without absolutely going crazy in my head. I was convinced that I would not survive middle school, let alone high school. However, the next year, we moved to South Carolina and found Trident Academy. My biggest trouble was in a class like Science, when the teacher would give the class directions, and I wouldn't understand them. At Trident, if that happened, I got enough individual attention so I would understand it. Also, if I lost anything, which happened a lot, teachers at Trident would be able to help me look for it, and come up with systems to help me stay organized.

       Before I came to Trident Academy, I felt like my classes were too large and that I couldn't get the individual attention that I needed to help me with my organization. Now, I can learn with nothing holding me back. My organization still isn't perfect, but the teachers at Trident have helped me improve. At Trident Academy, I can experience new exciting things, such as competing in a Math Meet or visiting a foreign country.

       Some classes at Trident Academy feel unique, such as the LEAD classes, where students who need it are given individual help with reading skills. You can also take Writers' Workshop classes, which are small-group classes that specialize in the process of informative and creative writing. All of the teachers at Trident Academy are excellent. They all understand the students' strengths and weaknesses, and what they need to help them learn.