Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 3, 1994                   TAG: 9408030075
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

EARLY EXAM LETS STUDENT PLAY BALL

The Vinton youngster will take his English exam early Friday in Roanoke County and then be driven to Greensboro, N.C. From there he will fly to Florida so he can play in his team's opening game Saturday in the Dixie Pre-Major World Series for players 15 and 16 years old.

Stinnett will miss the opening ceremonies Friday for the national tournament at Avon Park, Fla.

Stinnett's mother, Judith, said Tuesday that she's glad Adam will get to play, but she's unhappy that he will miss Friday's ceremonies. She's also upset that he won't be able to travel with his teammates and coaches when they go to Florida on Thursday.

"We kind of compromised, but he's still going to miss some things," she said

Stinnett plays for the Vinton Dixie team that recently won the state championship.

County school administrators will allow Stinnett to take the final exam in his 10th-grade English class early Friday so he can catch the flight.

His class begins at 10:40 a.m., but he'll take the exam during a class that starts at 8.

Stinnett's mother said Adam will be on a tight schedule, because his plane leaves Greensboro at 1 p.m.

James Gallion, assistant superintendent for Roanoke County schools, said the decision to allow Stinnett take the exam early is a "good situation" for both the schools and Stinnett.

"He'll be taking the exam while others are taking it, and no special arrangements will have to be made," Gallion said.

Students are not normally allowed to miss summer school classes except for serious illness or a death in a family.

Stinnett is retaking English because he failed it during the school year. When he enrolled in summer school, Stinnett said, he never thought his team would be playing in August and fighting for the national title

Stinnett's mother said her son should not be deprived of the experience of participating in a national tournament. She said he might never have such an opportunity again.