Rowe Pride saving for marquee

ELVIS LIVES? Or maybe that's Tina Turner or James Brown hiding behind that bulldog shirt.The Rowe Pride organization is selling chances on rocking chairs to parents, and selling Principal Victor Williams' appearance as celebrity guest star (kids vote with small change for Elvis,Tina Turner or James Brown).The Rowe Rocks Rally aims to raise enough for a permanent marquee for the school. Newsboy photo/Sharon Kerr

Who is that sitting pretty in the porch rocker at Rowe last week?

You may think it looks like Principal Victor Williams, but you can almost see the kids plotting to turn him into James Brown, Tina Turner or Elvis Presley.

It is within their power to transform him for the Nov. 2 Rowe Rocks Rally. Kids get to vote all during October by throwing small change into fish bowls with pictures of each celebrity.

When the Rowe Pride organization counts the cash, whichever celebrity jar holds the most money determines how Williams must dress for the rally.

Alison Mathews and the Rowe Pride parents are conducting an aggressive fund-raising campaign to buy a permanent marquee for the campus, something all of the other schools already have.

"We want to get the community involved in projects that give the school a good image and are fun for everyone," Mathews said.

Rowe Pride will also be selling chances to win porch rockers in October. Rowe Rocks rockers will be on display each Friday in October; they will rotate from First Bank and Trust, Oct. 12, to First National Bank, Oct. 19, and to Baskins Department Store, Oct. 26.

Chances are $1 each or six for $5; winner does not need to be present at the rally where Williams, in costume, will draw the winning ticket.

Mathews said there may be a few other surprise celebrities at the event.

The English department at Rowe is asking students to submit the 10 top reasons Rowe rocks. Beginning 10 days before the rally, the temporary marquee in front of Rowe will begin a countdown, starting by posting reason #10.

Reason #1 Rowe rocks will be revealed at the rally.