[WINNER]
SCPA: On Aug. 18, three years after its groundbreaking ceremony, Cincinnati’s eagerly anticipated School for Creative & Performing Arts (SCPA) welcomed 1,400 students to its new $72 million building. The first public K-12 performing arts school in the nation, the new SPCA was designed to accommodate the unique needs of its creative students and includes three theaters, several art studios and other state-of-the-art resources. The impressive structure, also intended for use as community cultural arts center, brings increased optimism and promise to the revitalization of the city’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood.
[LOSER]
DR. LAURA SCHLESSINGER: After 16 years on the air, Dr. Laura announced Tuesday on Larry King Livethat she will be resigning from her radio show this coming December. The uber-conservative talk show hostess received a groundswell of negative attention after using the N-word 11 times in response to a caller who she felt was oversensitive to the topic of racism. In parting, the controversial “family-values advocate” maintained that she simply wants to “regain her First Amendment rights” and voice her thoughts “without people getting angry.” It appears you’re one offensive slur too late, Dr. Schlessinger.
[WINNER]
TERRELL OWENS: On Aug. 20, Terrell Owens (better known as T.O.) submitted an open letter to all Bengals fans ensuring his commitment to the team for the upcoming season. Corny? A little. Written and submitted by him? Perhaps in part. Nonetheless, we applaud him for taking the time to let Bengals fans know he’s ready to get down to business and also applaud him for his humility and recognition
since he doesn’t exactly have the best track record in the NFL. Catching a 40-yard pass in a preseason game doesn’t hurt either. Who Dey!
[LOSER]
LAKOTA SCHOOLS: No one will argue that the economy has necessitated budget cuts across the board, but we might want to consider looking for fat elsewhere before putting our kids and our schools on a starvation diet. Despite increased enrollment, this year’s $8.2 million budget cut for the Lakota school system means the reduction in staff of 52 teachers and 26 non-teaching staff members, not to mention fewer nurses, coaches and other specialists. In keeping with those cuts, 500 students have also been x’d from the school system’s bus routes — a logical choice when you think about it. Why provide transportation to a school without teachers?
