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Stegall offers
a lesson to Edison students about their generation
By Bob Robinson
GREENVILLE – More than 60 Edison State Community College Communications
students, most of whom are in the College Credit Plus (CCP) program,
had the opportunity recently to hear from a local public official, Darke County
Commissioner Mike Stegall.
Seven decided to critique his presentation. As in the past – this was
Stegall’s fourth year making a presentation to Edison’s Fundamentals of
Communications classes – reviews were mixed.
All noted that his posture left much to be desired. “He was sitting on
the table, slouched over most of the time.” In Stegall’s defense, he
said ahead of time he shouldn’t be doing it, but added he was going to
anyway.
Several complained about him being “into himself” too much… arrogant;
another thought a weak point was not staying on topic. A fellow
student, however, took as a positive his ability to respond to his
audience regardless of the questions class members posed. One felt his
presentation was not politically balanced.
Regardless, the students gave him a low “A” or a high “B” for the overall
presentation. His comments on their generation struck a chord with the
students.
“I learned a lot about my generation, politics, and the world in
general,” said Cassie Cromwell, Greenville High School Junior. “He gave
us cold, hard truth, which I appreciated.” She noted she wished more
students could hear that message.
“I left actually thinking about what he had said and did not just
forget it, so I would say it (his speech) was a definite success,” said
Makenzie Stucky, Tri-Village Senior, adding it was an awakening. “I
already knew that the country today is our, the next generation’s, mess
to clean up, but it is something I tried not to think about.”
Kayla Burke, Tri-Village Junior, said she was not a “big fan” of the
presentation, but acknowledged his point that her generation needs to
be more involved. Cade McGlinch, Franklin Monroe Senior, agreed. “He
said my generation needs to change all the bad in the political world.”
He also learned that someone can run for a political office at 18; they
didn’t have to wait until they were 21. McGlinch noted someone in the
classroom could be a future mayor, or even president of the United
States.
Several students appreciated the presentation from a more personal
perspective. Courtney Toops, a Versailles High School graduate, while
noting he could have gotten his point across without being rude or by
just changing his tone, said she liked that he will “tell you the truth
and say what he means.”
Sawyer Weitzel, Celina High School Senior, said she learned to “say
what you think, because no one cares what you feel!” She added she
learned she needed to start being a leader… to create conversation
face-to-face, not with electronics.
Sydney Anderson, Arcanum Junior, summarized it best. “I think he gave
each of us kids an insight as to what the real world will be like,” she
said. “He taught me that no matter what anyone thinks of me, I need to
be me. I don't need to change myself to please people. If I am
truthful to myself and respect others I can get a long way in life. In
the end, he taught Sydney to be Sydney.”
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