Today is Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday (okay, actually it was on the 15th, but we celebrate it today — what an injustice!), and although we ought to focus on all the positives that this great civil rights leader accomplished during his lifetime, I tend to think the other way.

No, no, don't misunderstand me. I don't mean that I want to point out any negatives of Dr. King. Rather what I was eluding to was that his loss, (in this case his death), reminds me of all the injustices that occur in the world. People taken away from the world during their prime, peak, come back, stardom, etc...

Given that this site is entirely dedicated at raising the question of 'Where's Dale?', rather than give you a history lesson of all the injustices of the world that have occurred to this day, I'll just tell you the story of the injustice that occurred right here on our campus!

Look at that photo on the left. That's Dale his first year at St. John's School. I believe it was taken in 1979. What a young, energetic looking guy. You'd almost not recognize him as the Dr. Jenkins that we saw at the PTA meeting this last thursday night. He seems happy on the photo — almost giddy that he is there ... while at the PTA, he looked well, let's say it — beat up.

At any rate, coming in as a science and P.E. teacher, who would have thought that Dale would go on to earn two masters in education, and as Gary Hull put it — be the most educated person to be employed at St. John's School. Wow, that's a pretty cool thing to say, given that SJS produces whiz kids every year ... (okay I don't count).

So what's the injustice? Why am I so obsessed with this issue regarding the school and the Jenkins?

Is it because he was my best man at my civil wedding? Could be. Or is it because he is the god father of my beautiful little niece? Yeah, maybe. Or could it be that Dale and Kedel are really, really great people and they deserve my support when they are getting bullied around by a school that they've helped build over the last 26 years? Yep, that's the one! That's the reason! Yep. Yep. Yep ...

So what's so special? What's the mystic about 'Doc. J' anyway?

Could it be that back in 1986 he was one of the finalist in all of the nation to be selected to be the first teacher to fly into space via the Space Shuttle Challenger? And even though that flight ended up in tragedy — wow — finalist in the nation! Space Shuttle! NASA! That's huge!

Or maybe because Dale, more than anyone else on the faculty — parallels the growth and potential of this school. Starting from humble beginnings (as did SJS) as a young-eyed, red hair, surfer looking dude from California (SJS had none of those features) and becoming what did Gary say? The most educated administrator in St. John's history (by the way, SJS does not currently have those features either!) ? There's that word again ... history ...

Actually, it could be the time that Dale brought in the computer revolution to SJS. He taught me the Bank Street Writer, Logo and oh, yeah ... Apple Basic. He essentially introduced me to the world of computers and more importantly the Apple MACINTOSH ... of which I own shares of, and of which I am using right now to write this rambling editorial ...

But if you look further ... it could be something else. Something more unique. Unique at least from my perspective ... Dale himself! Look at him, he hasn't changed much since 1979 ... no I'm not talking about the hair ... I'm talking about his heart! No ... not the one that keeps him alive, the one that he gives out to his students! Yea — that one. The one that has always stayed the same since 1979 when he was just a science and P.E. teacher with no such titles as 'Dr.', 'Upper school Headmaster', ' Upper school Principal' ... imagine ... all that personal and professional development under one roof! A St. John's roof at that. My god, this guy should be one of SJS's most cherished treasures! But that would of course require respect and knowledge of the history of the school — otherwise known as its heritage or traditions ... heck, we'll just call it history! Keeps things simple that way. Point made. Move on!

So Kaz, where's the injustice here ... you just said this guy went from rags to riches (so to speak), he'll forever be remembered in the archives of NASA as one of the finalist of the first teacher to fly to space, he's loved and adored by many of his students and peers ... where's the injustice?!

I dunno ... I guess the injustice is that, well, I think Dale is just getting started. He's hitting his peak ... I guess the injustice is that when Dale started over 26 years ago, he never would have guessed that he would be replaced by someone who's been at the school for less than six-months. I dunno ... maybe that's the injustice?

You'd think so ... but I think probably the real injustice is that Dale had a contract to work at SJS until 2005 ... we're at 2004. That means this year's juniors would have had a chance to seek the guidance of a principal with over 26 years of SJS history — instead they will have a principal that knows the school for say ... one and a half years? Don't ask me if that's important ... ask the graduating seniors of 2004 (oooh another example of injustice!), and all the alumni's out there who will come back next year during vacation to see ... ooops I forgot, Dale won't be here — damn it, I just found another injustice! The alumni won't see their mentor at the school anymore!!

Okay I quit. I'm tired. I'm sleepy. It's almost 2:00AM and I'm writing an editorial thinking it will change some people's views on what's going on ... when all that's probably going to happen is that people will forget and resume their daily lives essentially being okay with the whole thing in month or so ... Even though all I keep finding when talking about this ... are the injustices! Now where's the justice in that?