James Clemens students, teacher compose alma mater
Four individuals earned authoring credits for the alma mater of James Clemens High School.
Sandra Gates, Michelle Abreo, Jane Herndon submitted the winning lyrics for the alma mater. James Clemens band director Keith Anderson composed the music.
“We held a school-wide contest to come up with lyrics to our alma mater,” Stuart Tankesley said. Tankesley is assistant band director and choir director at James Clemens. “All students, faculty and staff were encouraged to participate. We encouraged submissions that showed the identity of our school and the culture of our school and area.”
Tankesley said a committee of teachers received numerous submissions, from which they selected the winning compositions.
Sandra Gates is a senior at James Clemens and wrote Verse 1 for the alma mater. Gates serves as choir president and acted in a lead role in the first theatrical production at James Clemens, “Alabama Rain.” Michelle Abreo, a freshman, authored the refrain. Abreo is a freshman and a clarinetist in the James Clemens Band. An honor student, Abreo also plays piano.
Teacher Jane Herndon authored Verse 2. She teaches English 11 and 12 and public speaking at James Clemens.
The lyrics for the alma mater follow:
Verse 1 (by Sandra Gates)
We are all standing strong and tall
We are true to our shades of blue
We’re unified in our JC Pride
Set apart by our strength and truth
Refrain (by Michelle Abreo)
Hail to thee, our Alma Mater
Holding waves of blue,
In our hearts and mem’ries forever,
Flows our love for you
Verse 2 (by Jane Herndon)
The sunrise gleams on brick and mortar,
Streaming into thy halls
We sing to thee, alma mater, where
Inspiration speaks and calls
Refrain
Hail to thee, our Alma Mater
Holding waves of blue,
In our hearts and mem’ries forever,
Flows our love for you
The James Clemens alma mater premiered at the “Sounds of the Stadium” concert by the James Clemens Jets Band on Nov. 8.
