I was in my hometown over the weekend.  I turned on the television and listened to a meeting of the local Board of Education.  No I wasn’t bored, though I admit I was exhausted.  No it was not excitement, appointment-tv.  But it did get my attention because I heard a panel member say in that southern drawl I so adore, “You’re in for a treat!”  I just knew that line would be followed with a line of people walking up to sing.  My historic town did not fail me.  That is what happened next.  A group of high school students walked forward.  They formed a perfect line.  They were led by their coach.  As he raised his arms up with baton in hand, the sound of angelic voices made the room fall silent.  I gasped!  Yep!  Shocked!  The music was magical indeed.  The kids sounded great.  But I confess my first thought was they were being singled out for their excellence in vocal ability but someone missed their overall education.  You know the way a star golfer gets to excel in a sport but flunks his chemistry exam.  There were few students who  appeared to be as tall as five feet five.  And most appeared to be obese.  Severely obese.  I’ve been overweight.  It was not just a judgement call.  It was looking at students appearing  before education officials who seemed to ignore a health education crisis staring them in their faces!  I was alarmed!  They heard their singing.  Could there have been cries for help somewhere underneath?  Was I just too tired?  Should I have just turned to the “House” Saturday marathon and watched imaginary health shows and not real life health issues instead?  Should I just shut up and mind my own business?  Nope.  Ain’t gonna.  I shut up in my hometown most of my life.  Today I speak up and out whenever I want.  That’s progress. That’s me.  And by golly gee whiz, that’s what I like about bloggin’!  I don’t know much about today’s curriculum in that community I used to call home.  But somebody ought to find a way to bring back health and phys ed.  It’s needed for the future of the kids.  A real education so they can have a chance at life, not diabetes and heart disease….and death.