As a newsman, objectivity is something I take extremely seriously.
There is so much vitriol toward the press these days that even a mundane article can be analyzed over and over again, searching for a reporter’s opinion.
I get called out online constantly for my supposed “liberal-leaning slant” in my reporting. Everyone online is a pundit, I guess. Little do they know, I’ve worked in GOP politics all my life and worked for two Republican governors in Florida.
Accordingly, I laugh when someone assumes what my beliefs are without knowing me. It means I’m doing something right.
Over the weekend, however, I was forced into a situation that threatened every aspect of my objectivity.
The Georgia Music Educators Association held its annual All-State Chorus final concerts at The Classic Center in Athens on Saturday. The concerts recognize the best middle and high school singers in Georgia and are the culmination of a grueling five-month audition process.
Seven students from Habersham County made the All-State Chorus this year:
- Habersham Central High School: Cosmo Crews and Karis Hermann
- South Habersham Middle School: Hudson Garrett and Isaiah McAllister
- Wilbanks Middle School: Lucas Ballard, Eyen Banks and Vivian Fargason
Habersham Countians should be extremely proud of each of these seven students for their accomplishments — and rightfully so. The Habersham County Board of Education has already announced it will honor the singers at its regular meeting March 16.
However, of the five middle school students who scored high enough through two statewide auditions to advance to Athens, only one was female. That feat, in and of itself, is worthy of a story.
My problem in writing about it is that girl — if you haven’t noticed already — shares the same last name as the author.
As a writer, I’m supposed to tell her story without bias. As the father of Vivian Fargason, I have about as much objectivity as the political pundits on CNN or Fox News.
I am so proud of this exceptional eighth-grader I can barely stand it. Vivian scored a 64 out of a possible 66 points through two auditions to earn her trip to Athens.
While I was the proudest father around, I couldn’t help but think of the previous year. As a seventh-grader, Vivian failed to make the All-State Chorus. The part that kept tripping her up was sight-reading.
She was devastated. I held her while she cried and told me, “No one is ever going to out-sight-read me again.”
By God, she was right.
My daughter has proven time and time again that she can do whatever she sets her mind to do. To see it happen in real time makes me happy for her and proud of the job her mother and I are doing in raising her. Vivian truly has the heart of a champion.
When the Board of Education recognizes Vivian and the other six talented singers next month, I’ll put my objectivity hat back on and give each of them the recognition they so richly deserve. But for now, I’m still basking in the glow of being a grateful father.
I would be remiss if I didn’t thank Dr. Bethany Davis, choral director at Wilbanks Middle School, who coached Vivian every step of the way, as well as Lucas Ballard and Eyen Banks, whose journeys we followed throughout the process and cheered just as hard for.
Following the concert, we took Vivian out for a celebratory dinner. I asked her, “You know what this means, don’t you? It means I’m going to write about you now.”
Her response: “Ugh, Dad! Please don’t embarrass me!”
That’s my job. I’m supposed to embarrass her.
So I’ll end this piece by sharing the text I sent her just before her choir took the stage, as I blubbered like a baby: “You’ll be coming on stage soon. I just wanted to send you a quick text and let you know how very proud I am of you. I love you more than I could possibly tell you, and I wish you all the luck in the world. Break a leg.”
