Education notebook | Horry middle school students learn the Power of Words

Black Water Middle School kicked off a new awareness program in a big way Friday with a rockin’ pep rally and encouraging words from Dave Bennett, former Coastal Carolina University football coach, and senior safety Marcus Lott.

The program is called POW, short for the Power of Words, and it is designed to encourage students and staff to stop and think before they write, text or speak.

Principal Cindy Thibodeau said that every month, the school focuses on a character trait, such as fairness. A request was made last fall for the school to address cyberbullying, and POW was born as another piece of character education.

“What we know is this: It starts with words,” Thibodeau said. “They are in our hearts and our minds, and they can be negative or positive, but once they go out, they can’t come back.”

Bennett and Lott echoed those sentiments at the assembly, where they entered in rock-star fashion, complete with music, laser lights and thunderous applause.

Lott – a two-time Academic All American and Big South Academic Player of the Year – told the audience that he had been bullied as a child and was told he wasn’t smart or able to achieve.

“Those words were hurtful, but I was able to actually turn those words into positive energy to obtain the goals that I have obtained today,” said Lott, who wants to become a middle school teacher.

Bennett told students to know what they can control and to be careful with the words they use. He referred briefly to his dismissal last month as coach of the Chanticleers to emphasize how to cope when things go awry.

“It’s not always going to be smooth. You’re going to have those tough times,” Bennett said. “Here’s what I’ve learned more than anything: As you deal with people … do it out of love. Do it out of kindness. If you do things out of love and kindness, it’s going to be OK.”

For weeks, POW signs decorated the school, but the acronym’s meaning was shrouded in mystery. Students, and most of the staff, only knew that POW was coming, but they didn’t know what it was.

Afterward, students said they enjoyed the event and thought it would make a difference at the school.

“This was a very enthusiastic ceremony,” said seventh-grader Erik Jonasson. “I think it carried out the lesson better than just an announcement they could make over the intercom.”

Eighth-grader Elora Molano, who sang an a cappella solo of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” said she thought POW would have a big impact.

Following the rally, Bennett and Lott handed out rubber bracelets to all the students as a reminder to think before they act. Bennett said that even though he had accepted the school’s invitation earlier in the fall, there had been no question that he would follow through with the event.

“We’ll always be a part of this community – always,” Bennett said. “It’s about serving and helping others – [that’s] way more important than we are – that’s what we’re here to do. It’s a pleasure and an honor that they wanted us here at Black Water.”