Patrick Reynolds Speaks at Assembly

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Teacher and Students Have Mixed Views

By Priya Singh '99
When Patrick Reynolds visited GA on Sept. 17, expectations were high. Bolstered by descriptions of him given by Mr. Garvan, and the thought of visits by the media, students were ready to listen to this speaker.

To teachers who asked for our reactions to his presentation, we all had our variations on " He was good," but listening to conversations at break on Tuesday showed a different side. Although no one I heard went so far as to say that they didn't like his presentation, few were appreciative.

"We've all heard this before," said one freshman who asked to remain anonymous. "By now you either know not to smoke and will probably never start, or you've started smoking and don't care."

Another, after having admitting to have smoked a few times, said, "He sure scared the hell out of me."

Others reactions were geared toward Mr. Reynolds' manner of speaking. Some said that they felt we were given a canned speech. Others felt that he spoke below us, and geared his speech to the middle school level. Everyone I spoke with agreed that his demonstration of how many people die of smoking in America each year was the most effective part, and some remarked that he should have stopped right there. Judging from the gasps, the story of the former track star came a close second.

About half the people I spoke to felt that it was obvious that Mr. Reynolds was genuine. They felt that he was brave to be so candid.

Although the reactions to Reynolds presentation were mixed, he was an excellent follow-up to last years lifestyles survey and Germantown Academy was lucky to hear him in light of the recent developments concerning his cause in Congress.