The moment the school bell rang everyone stood, faced old glory and recited the ‘Pledge of Allegiance’, and then Misty Fort, a petite fourth grader, walked up on the porch and sang in a professional operatic voice, the ‘Star Spangle Banner’. Next, Reverend Jarvis gave the benediction. In turn Mayor Smiley delivered a short speech and then Sally P. Strong, the Principal and the school’s only teacher for the past thirty years walked to the center of the porch and motioned for Billy Smithton, the best trumpeter in the ninth grade to begin playing ‘Pomp and Circumstance’. Instantly, the audience began to chant Homer’s name as he slowly made his way up the steps and stood opposite his teacher. A hush fell over the crowd as they watched