THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 21, 1995 TAG: 9512210013
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 34 lines
Having moved to the Eastern Shore 1 1/2 years ago after 43 years in Norfolk and Virginia Beach, I have hungrily read The Virginian-Pilot to stay in touch with the Hampton Roads area.
Staff writer Paul White's ``Real question for Northampton, will there be enough seats?'' (Sports, Dec. 7) screamed with such negativity that I was actually embarrassed for him that he could not see and applaud the Shore's ability and willingness to rally in support of its children. He instead presents a picture of a poor, inadequate, prideless community.
Well, Hampton Roads, don't you believe it.
Mr. White's assessment of Paul Custis, Northampton's principal, as sounding like a ``boxing promoter'' not only had no supporting statements but seemed simple and narrow-minded. Mr. Custis is not loud, harsh or boastful, just highly supportive of his students and willing to exhaust his resources to pull them together to encourage their spirit, their confidence in themselves and their pride.
My two children (sophomore and senior) have flourished and gained confidence and individuality from living on the Eastern Shore and under the guidance of Mr. Custis and his staff. He has gained their respect not just by being their principal but by being a friend.
JEANNETTE MAPP
Machipongo, Va., Dec. 8, 1995 by CNB