Sunday, June 1, 2008

The Alimacani Story


I simply can not think of a more appropriate way to mark the closing of our 2007-2008 school year than to highlight Alimacani's most rewarding Celebration!

Alimacani Elementary School joyfully celebrated a wondrous retirement tribute to our visionary founding principal, Mrs. Donna Hulsey, on Friday, May 9, 2008.


Alimacani opened its doors for the first time to students in August 1990. Alimacani is a Timucuan Indian word which is translated to mean "sweet land by the sea." A most appropriate name since the school is located on the Intracoastal Waterway. When Ribault landed in 1562, he was greeted by Timucuan Indians from the Village of Alimacani. The sun and moon still light the land but their worshippers are gone. Their heritage has been preserved through Alimacani Elementary School and it is our legacy to future generations.

Eighteen years ago I walked through the doors of Alimacani along with a handful of wondrous staff members that still embrace the opportunity to touch the heart and reach the soul of each child. We are what is commonly referred to as the Charter Members of the Alimacani Family. As time marches on we reserve the right to this reference as opposed to veteran, seasoned, or the emphasis "oldie but goldie" teachers....all be it some of our hair miraculously remains golden in color! We have all taught at many different and diverse schools but we are passionate about who and what brought us to this Sweet Land By The Sea known as Alimacani.

I will begin my 35th year as a Duval County Public School Teacher when we embark on the 2008-2009 school year. The other remarkable charter members have accumulated anywhere from 20 to 40 years as professional educators. Each one of us inclusive of our current staff have a common thread woven throughout our hearts. That thread is to ensure that Alimacani's vision of providing an environment Where Education Is A Treasure And Children Are Inspired To Reach For Their Dreams is embraced daily.

We refer to ourselves as the Alimacani Family. This is not by accident or in words only. We are a family due to the atmosphere that Mrs. Donna Hulsey established as she prepared the soil for the growth of each child, staff member, parent, and stake holder. It is because of the legacies that Donna crafted that we were elated to lovingly celebrate in grand style her Tribute on Friday, May 9, 2008. There was not a more fitting time than during one of our Patriotic Flag Raising Ceremonies. Donna started the first Flag Raising Ceremony at Alimacani. She values, celebrates, and continues to ensure that each individual respects the very soil that God has seen fit to bless and entrust upon our lives.

Friday, May 9, 2008 was indeed a CELEBRATION and a tribute to Mrs. Donna Hulsey and the wondrous Legacies she has left etched on our hearts. The Flag Raising Ceremony began with an escort of Mr. and Mrs. Hulsey through the courtyard by our very own Uncle Sam and Statue of Liberty. They took their seats of honor flanked by their personal family and surrounded by their Alimacani Family.

Students new to Alimacani were so enthusiastic to see this famous person. Her name was all the buzz as preparations for her tribute filled our halls for weeks. They could hardly contain their excitement as the morning unfolded.

The Tribute began with the patriotic raising of the American Flag by our Color Guard followed by the singing of the Star Spangled Banner. After everyone took their seats we began to unfold the remarkable heritage and legacies that Donna has gifted to each Alimacani Family Member. We began with a former student who is now a teacher at Alimacani. This was followed by other former students, teachers who are now principals, Cluster Chiefs, DCPS Department Chiefs, business leaders, and retired teachers. Each group had a representative speak and concluded with parting words: Mrs. Hulsey, We Are Your Legacy!





Students performed a dance and sang a special song written by our very own Kay Park, in honor of Mrs. Hulsey. We had two former Alimacani teachers read artistically and humorously crafted poems and words that etched a glorious painting of Mrs. Hulsey's heart-print on Alimacani.


The Alimacani Courtyard was gloriously ablaze with patriotic colors and sentiment. The bench around the tree planted in honor of Mrs. Hulsey was decorated with patriotic ornaments.

Ms. Pam Rogers, Alimacani's second principal and Ms. Kathy Stalls, Alimacani's current principal presented Mrs. Hulsey with the ultimate tribute. The renaming of Alimacani's Media Center. From this day forth a marble sign above the entrance to the Media Center now reads: The Donna Hulsey Media Center.





Yes, this was indeed a grand day. Donna's Tribute was so big that her entire Alimacani Family went to great lengths to prepare. This is what family does with purposeful resolve and an abundance of love. Donna's Legacy is unparalleled. I am fairly certain that this Tribute of love renewed and breathed new life and excitement into an already tremendously blessed Alimacani Family that deeply values the tradition of excellence Donna crafted. Celebrations conjure up visions of wondrous events. As I look over the canvas of Alimacani's Celebrations there exist one striking difference from that of other colorful celebrations. The heart of each celebration at Alimacani does not just consist of adult preparations, skits, dress-ups, and readings, but its cup overflows with student anticipation, excitement, and active engagement.

Our lives will continue to vibrate with the awareness of the wonderful Legacy that Mrs. Donna Hulsey's visionary passion wove into our hearts as the doors opened for the very first time at Alimacani Elementary School...Sweet Land By The Sea. The gift of Donna's Legacy is not wrapped or hidden behind a door. The gift of tradition is encased in each heart that vibrates the halls of Alimacani and is so lovingly carried forth each day by our children, staff, administration, and stakeholders. Our task is to accept this gift each day with purposeful resolve, to celebrate it and to ensure that we will live into this precious gift.

Please enjoy the PowerPoint and voice thread below. The PowerPoint is the memorable tribute to Donna from two memorable and former Alimacani teachers. The Voice Thread is The Alimacani Story as written by Mrs. Donna Hulsey. The book was presented to Mrs. Hulsey's as part of her Legacy that will live on in each heart as she returns to Alimacani and retells the historical and magical story to each new enthusiastic and engaged learner who capture our hearts and allow us the privilege of preparing new canvases for learning. I hope you will visualize the Alimacani courtyard as a maginificent gathering area. We are on the very soil where Mrs. Hulsey gave The Alimacani Family its roots and wings to soar as the eagles soar.