LooksNCHS Superintendent’s Notes – April 20, 2016
By Ernie Fowler – Nashville CHSD #99
efowler@nashville-k12.org
Oh the burden of being “too pretty” or “too handsome”. If only we were uglier, we would get better jobs. That is the premise recently stated by one of the most beautiful actresses in Hollywood. Charlize Theron continues to have a successful career despite what she might consider a handicap. She stated that the better or “meatier” roles in Hollywood pass her by frequently because of her looks. I appreciate Ms. Theron for her point of view. I can now be thankful that my looks don’t compare with George Clooney, Brad Pitt, or Leonardo. Otherwise, I may have been passed over when our Board of Education was looking for a Superintendent. I’m thankful that when I got the call from Board President Shawn Cook, he didn’t say, “Sorry Mr. Fowler. We went with another candidate. We simply felt that your tremendously good looks might distract our staff and students. We had to go with an uglier candidate.”
It is amazing the amount of time folks spend on how they look. Teens worry about their hair being fixed just right. They blow dry, tease, spritz, spray, and jell just to get that perfect look. Yes, I’m including the boys in this ritual as well. You don’t get Justin Bieber hair by simply rolling out of bed and running your hands through the mop! My generation did the same thing in the 70’s and 80’s. Girls wore big hair. Boys feathered their hair. Some stylish souls wore a mullet.
While each of us should try to be the best we can be, it is important to remember that looks aren’t everything. Ms. Theron is a talented actress. Despite her appearance, I cannot believe she would have gotten any legitimate movie roles had she been a dimwit. Our students should realize that success is more likely to occur due to hard work and dedication rather than how we comb our hair, what clothes we wear, or how much we make people stare. A well-developed mind will take them farther than other well-developed parts of the body. When it comes to success, we are somewhat like a sundae. Our aptitude and attitude is the ice cream while our appearance is the topping. We don’t have to have the topping to enjoy a big bowl of ice cream! Yes, having great looks can be a blessing or a curse. I have to be honest though. I’ve been told on more than one occasion that I resemble a movie star. By any chance do you remember a guy by the name of Don Knotts?
Looks
