T.I in the Smith-Barnes House

Anticipation hung in the air. There was a low murmur among the staff. "Who could it be?" "I think it's someone famous." "Why is it such a secret?" Questions arose everywhere. The administration stood strong; they were not telling anyone about their covert assembly. A surprise speaker was to address the students. The classes were scheduled to go to the gym at 10 o'clock, but would curiosity engulf the school before then?

As he walked into the office the staff became quiet (this was an abnormality to say the least) and mesmerized by who stood before them. Most recognized T.I. right away. Some had heard of him, some had no idea. T.I. had come to the school to talk to the students about the value of education. He had to fulfill 1000 hours of community service which was a consequence of making some very unwise choices. From Georgia, T.I. chose to spend a few hours with Smith-Barnes Elementary School.

Before the students were even aware someone famous was in the building, T.I. was already getting gently and affectionately mauled by the staff: "Take a picture with me." "I am next." "My kid will never believe this." Camera's and cell phones quickly appeared. T.I. was pleasant and patient, allowing anyone that wanted to take a picture to stand up close and personal with him. A plethora of flashes reflected off the rapper's eyes as he stood and smiled with each star-struck adult.

Once all the children were inconspicuously hidden from T.I. in the gym, it was time for him to be revealed. It took 11 staff members to "securely" escort him down the corridor, around the corner, out the door, and to the hallway in front of the gym. T.I. appeared a bit nervous yet remained poised and professional. After a proper introduction T.I. nonchalantly took the microphone and waited for the commotion to calm to silence. The students were in disbelief that a popular artist was right there in front of them. The girls were screaming in adoration and the boys were shouting "oh yeah's" to each other. The unsuspecting teachers were in awe. The whole student body went into an organized, ecstatic frenzy.

The minute T.I. articulated his first word, the entire room instantly went silent. You could have heard a pin drop. T.I. told them to try hard in school, pay attention and not to be like him. He would fall asleep in class, not try hard and made it through school by the skin of his teeth. He told them that they could do better in life then him. He wanted them to know that they could be the next Barack Obama or the next Hillary Clinton. They could do anything they wanted, if they tried hard enough. It was not too late, they could turn themselves around. They could become something great. Courageously he let the students ask him questions. They asked him about his grades (in elementary he received all A's), if he was ever suspended (yes, but he was not proud of that), what kind of car he drove (depended on the day of the week), and if he ever had a mean teacher (yes, but the teachers he thought were mean were the ones trying to help him reach his potential). T.I. closed by calling students up to the front to tell what they had learned from his speech. When the first child was called, came to the front, explained what he had learned into the mic and then exchanged daps with T.I., the crowd went wild. "He touched T.I.!!!" "Oh wow!" "I want to do it too!" Hands went flying up with eager willingness to express their new knowledge in exchange for a dap or a handshake!

When it was time to go the students wanted a picture taken with their new famous friend. T.I. kindly and willingly posed with each class as the media specialist snapped a photo for the web page. T.I. seemed tolerant and unwearied by his prolonged visit. He conjured up a smile for each class, allowing each child to shake his hand, dap, or hug him. The kids walked away from him with a new spring in their step and fervor in their voices.

This would be a day that the children would never forget. Someone famous came to their school to fill their minds with hope and high expectations. How often will that happen again in their lifetimes?