The Precocious One!
Nineteen-year-old Tim Mallory was a 1957 grad from Hattiesburg High where he lettered in varsity football and basketball for three years, and was honorably mentioned as an All-State player in both sports during his Senior year. After graduation, he spent six months active duty with the Army Reserve, then nine months of hard labor with a bridge construction company. These introductions into the world of work convinced Tim that he should take advantage of intelligence for which folks gave him credit. So he was receptive to the football scholarship try-out offer received from Coach Holden of Pearl River Jr. College, a small school located in Poplarville, Mississippi.
Though small in campus size and number of students, The River had good professors and was an excellent prep school for senior colleges. Additionally, Pearl River had a highly successful coach who had produced many outstanding football teams, and appeared destined to generate more. Tim's friends and supporters said that he was the type individual who flourished under Coach T.D. (Dobie) Holden. The special qualifications were that Tim was quick, intelligent, had a competitive heart, which dwarfed his physical size, yet he was too small in terms of bulk and stature to be seriously considered by senior colleges.
His Mother, who had one daughter and seven other sons, was a hard working, devoutly Catholic woman who was intelligent, aggressive, and would not recognize the phrase "I can't." Taught her children that anything could be accomplished if wanted enough and one properly applied him or herself to climb the mountain. And her mother, Tim's grandmother, was of the same mindset. She stressed, "You can do anything you want to do. Just push yourself and reach out for the rainbow."
Mr. Mallory, was a pillar of silent strength undergirding his wife's activities. He held to a strong system of values, including one about not telling lies nor tolerating those who do. Highly supportive of his childrens'sporting activities, he and his wife made special attempts to attend as many competitive engagements as possible. He insisted that each of his children had a job, but such should not interfere with their schooling. He believed in a good formal education.
In the public school system, Tim was a model student in well-controlled classes where he respected the teacher, but was otherwise disruptive. After all, he was Irish! What did you expect?
While in the tenth grade, he received one of the greatest shocks of his life, a sensation that helped him realize and better apply his intellectual prowess. He had been at odds with an English teacher and was so disruptive in her classroom that she consistently sent him to the principal's office. Initially, the principal chose to ignore the daily visits. This was a diversion from his normal procedures because the English teacher had briefed him on the situation beforehand. He and the teacher felt that a few days in the office during her class period might cause Tim to change his behavior due to the humiliation of being sent there. The ploy failed. Finally, the principal called Tim into his inner office and talked to him about the constant referrals.
"Tim, I see you in my office quite often."
"Yes, Sir, you do."
"Well, now, why are you in my office instead of your English class?"
"Sir, the teacher and I don't get along, but we struck a deal. I'm to enter her class only to take tests. Otherwise, I'm to sit in your office because she feels I'm disruptive in her classroom.
"Are you disruptive?"
"Yes, Sir, I am."
"Why?" The principal queried as a smile crossed his face from the frankness of the reply.
"I guess it's 'cause she doesn't have control of the class, and I resent it.
"Well, Tim, don't ya' know you have to attend class in order to pass the required course material?"
"Not exactly," the young man rebutted. "Ya' see, I plan to make an 'A' in the course, and will do so, though I don't physically attend her class."
"That sounds interesting," the principal mused. "Just how do ya' expect to do that?"
"It's really quite simple, Sir. Ya' see, she teaches and tests straight from the text material, and the text is easy to read and comprehend. I presently have an 'A' in English and shall continue maintaining that average by just reading the material and taking tests."
The administrator smiled, slowly shook his head side to side and stated, "I'll have to admit, Tim, it sounds as if you know what you're doing, and I admire your ability to excel under adverse conditions. However, you should be in the classroom and we must find a way to get you back in there. So, I shall speak to your teacher about taking you back into her class room."
"But, Sir, I don't wanna' go back," the young man blurted, visibly unhappy with the decision.
"Tim, you must return; there is no other option. However, before saying anything else regarding this matter, would you like to hear my personal assessment of Tim Mallory?"
"Well, Sir," Tim said hesitantly, "I guess you think I'm a smart-alecky, trouble-maker."
"No, Tim, I don't. Personally I'm tremendously impressed with you and your obvious potential. Truthfully, I think you're one of the most capable individuals whom I've ever met. And I feel you can do anything you set your mind to do. However, I caution you: You must be careful not to waste God-given intellectual and motivational talents. Channel these gifts toward learning all you can while in this school, or any other school you may attend in the future. You could become an extremely important person during your lifetime, Tim, if you want to, and properly focus your energies. Don't waste valuable time and efforts manipulating people to satisfy your ego."
This revelation and the Principal's seemingly perfect insight dumbfounded Tim. The comments were especially meaningful to him because he respected and admired the Principal.
"So, Tim," The older man continued, "I ask your cooperation in this classroom situation. I plan to work out an arrangement with the English teacher and want you back in her room immediately." The young man still failed to utter a word until the Principal asked, "May I count on you to uphold your end of the bargain to give her your full cooperation and attention in class?" A reply was not uttered until the principal added, "If I guarantee the same support from her?"
"Yes, Sir," he replied. "You have my word."
"Good." The chief school administrator rose from his chair and extended his right hand. "Let's shake on it, and you report to her class tomorrow."
That night Tim told his mother about the conversation and how shocked he had been at the Principal's assessment. His mother was in full agreement with the Principal's comments but admonished Tim for having been sent to his office in the first place.
One could feel the tension in the English classroom the following day, as all students were surprised at Tim's return. They anxiously awaited another outburst of disruptive action, and fully expected such behavior and another dismissal to the Principal's office for Tim. But such did not occur.
Toward the end of the class period, the teacher requested a volunteer to recite President Lincoln's Gettysburg address. No one responded, so she repeated her invitation and added that the volunteer would be allowed a week to learn the address, and be given extra credit for the effort. Still, no volunteers, until Tim raised his hand. She ignored him. But relented and acknowledged his raised hand because no one else stepped forward.
"Are you volunteering, Tim, or do you care to make a comment?"
"Both. I'll recite the address but I don't need a week to prepare. I'll do it tomorrow."
"Well, Tim," the teacher stammered, "you can take a week to practice. It is a difficult tasking and I'm afraid that reciting the address tomorrow will not allow sufficient time to memorize it, plus complete other homework assignments."
"I'd like to do it tomorrow, if I may."
She considered the request, then simultaneously raised her hands upward and shrugged her head in a helpless motion as if to say, "Why not?"
"Oh, very well, Tim, have it your way," she acquiesced. "You may recite it tomorrow. Class dismissed!"
Students were pleasantly surprised at being released because the bell had not rung. However, they immediately recovered composure and scurried into the hallway, leaving their flustered teacher alone in the classroom.
Next day, students were so preoccupied with the impending recitation that the teacher decided to deviate from planned activities and asked Tim to give his presentation. To her amazement, as well as that of his peers, Tim delivered eloquently, and dramatically, without a single memory lapse. Afterward, fellow students displayed appreciation and respect by genuinely applauding his effort.
"Tim, that was excellent," his teacher commended earnestly, for she was astounded at the stellar performance given by this despicable student.
"Now that Tim has demonstrated how such an assignment should be completed, do I have a volunteer to give a recital of the second Gettysburg Address sometime next week?" No one raised a hand. Finally, Tim volunteered, but with the stipulation that it be done the following day.
"Now, Tim that might be a bit harder to do than the first one. So I wish you would reconsider and wait until next week to give the recitation."
"No, Ma'am," he declined, "I'd like to give the address tomorrow."
"All right, Tim," She consented while shaking her head in disbelief. "We'll hear it tomorrow."
The next day recitation was a repeat success, and Tim gained even more respect from fellow students and his English teacher who now saw him in an entirely different light.
At the end of the six-weeks, he received a grade of 'A' in English, much to the delight of the Principal. The grade was particularly satisfying to Tim because he had achieved it subsequent to the Principal's inspirational pep talk. Now, he was beginning to take people more seriously, though it embarrassed him when they referred to his latent learning abilities. Over a period of several years, he'd been told repeatedly by his mother, grandmother, father, favorite teachers, and now by the high school Principal that he had tremendous mental growth potential. And he was fully aware that he should take advantage of the potential while young, or the opportunities would fade away.
He began applying himself more fervently in classrooms as well as on the football field and basketball court where he was also was a fierce competitor. Like all tough, little competitors, however, he paid the price for his hell-bent-for-leather mode of athletic play. The price in his case was one broken neck, for head-on tackling a guy twice his size; a broken nose on several occasions; and numerous sprained ankles, knees, and minor concussions. On each injury, however, Tim recovered rather quickly and seemed even more determined than ever to make his presence felt on the athletic fields.
Performance in the classroom likewise showed marked improvement, except for one deviation. At the end of his senior year, Tim's final grade tally contained all 'A's and 'B's, except for one 'C'. The 'C' grade was for a chemistry class in which he had a mathematical 'A' average but the teacher had given him an 'F' for conduct. However, a compromise was struck between the Principal and the teacher to change the conduct grade to a 'D' and the overall chemistry grade to a 'C'.
On high school graduation day, Tim was further surprised when the class valedictorian, whom he felt was the epitome of an outstanding academic student, told him, "I'd give anything to be like you."
"Why?" Tim replied flabbergasted. "You're the class valedictorian, not me."
"I know, but you are so well-rounded, whereas, I'm only good in the classroom. I envy you."
Until this moment, Tim had never suspected that this role model student perceived Tim Mallory as being a good student. The revelation was another positive stroke that made him more determined toward dedicating himself in the classroom. "Yes Sir," Tim thought, "Pearl River College will be the place where I'll get the ball rolling."
Soon after arriving at The River (PRC) on that first day, Tim began reviewing college math and chemistry books, which he'd acquired before leaving Hattiesburg. While his two roommates, Jeb Jackson and Jack Hebert, were out frolicking on the first night, he laid out a book review plan in preparation for his academic classes.
He liked his roommates and would have enjoyed going out with them on this first night in the dormitory. He had refrained, however, because of his desire to glance through textbooks and the fact that he had a steady girlfriend, Colene, back in Hattiesburg. He had dated Colene since the tenth grade and liked her very much, but had felt uneasy around her since high school graduation. She wanted to get married right away, and he thought it unwise to do so until he had at least two years of college under his belt. Their once solid relationship was beginning to fall apart.
"Hi, Tim, I'm Lance King," an affable Alabamian greeted that first night while peeking around Tim's half-opened door. "Mind if I come in and visit?"
"No, Lance," Tim answered. "Come on in and make yourself comfortable. Where're ya' from, Lance, and what position do you play?"
"I'm from Chilton, Alabama and play quarterback like your roommate, Jeb. By the way, The Alabamian chuckled, "I guess ya' heard somebody took a photo of Jeb and a girl tonight while they were naked as jay birds?"
"You're kiddin' me!" Tim laughed while simultaneously closing his math book.
"Naw, I'm not," Lance laughed. "They tell me Jeb and the girl were skinny-dippin' when a buncha' guys ran outta the woods justa' 'laughin' and a'shoutin', and scared hell out of 'em. And your other roomy, the Cajun, was in the back seat of the car with another girl just a'humpin' away. Both broke out laughing. Afterward, Lance continued laughingly, "Looks like you've got yourself one helluva pair of roommates."
" Yeah, it does, doesn't it," Tim laughed. "But, what the heck, everybody needs a little fun now and then."
"True, true," Lance echoed while nodding his head in agreement. "Man, what a way to go," he laughed again. "Speaking of goin', Tim, I'd best leave ya' to your studies and get myself some shut-eye before that hot mornin' sun comes up. They tell me that during this autumn time of the year the humidity down here is sometimes higher than the temperature."
"That's the way it is, Lance," Tim acknowledged. "In South Mississippi, we refer to this type weather as 'dawg days.' It's so miserably hot and humid that only a dog would venture out into the direct rays of the sun. And most intelligent ones seek out shaded areas to while away the hottest part of the day."
"I've heard that," Lance responded. "Well, take care, and I'll see you around," Lance said as he walked out the door. Tim reflected momentarily on the antics of Jeb and Jack, then chuckled to himself and returned to his studies.