There’s smart people in Appalachia. The photo above is a good example.
The group is from our local Community College. Some are born and raised Appalachians some came to Appalachia later in life, some are old some are young, some are men some are women. But EACH of them received an award for their outstanding academic achievements, it’s a side of Appalachia that isn’t often shown.
Like I said, there’s smart people in Appalachia.
Tipper
Appalachia Through My Eyes – A series of photographs from my life in Southern Appalachia.
31 Comments
Glenda Beall
May 26, 2012 at 12:58 amTipper, I’ve known you were “smart” for a long time. Congratulations on this honor which you well deserve. I’m proud of you and all you have done in these years I’ve known you. Your blog is an inspiration and knowing you has been a joy. Take care of you.
Jackie @Syrup and Biscuits
May 19, 2012 at 9:23 pmCongratulations, Tipper. Don’t let stereotypes get in your way. We Southerners have been fighting them forever and ever. We iz smart. We iz very smart, ain’t us?
Becky
May 19, 2012 at 12:14 amYes, there are! And Tipper is one of them!
Luann
May 18, 2012 at 11:02 amCongratulations!!! Well deserved I’d say.
Ethel
May 16, 2012 at 7:58 pmCongratulations Tipper, to you and the rest of the best!
Ferne Kellow
May 16, 2012 at 7:50 pmCongratulations, Tipper.All of us out here among your readerhip are proud to “know you,” and glad that you’re recognized for a job well done. Keep up the good work!
Anastasia
May 16, 2012 at 4:50 pmCongratulations to you all!
Bradley
May 16, 2012 at 3:40 pmTipper,
I found you in that photograph immediately if not sooner.
I just knew it, I knew it, I knew it, I knew it. The cream does rise to the top.
Congratulations Tipper, you’re the BEST!
janet pressley
May 16, 2012 at 2:11 pmCongratulations Tipper!.. I miss the silly table too – if you know what I mean. Nana
Ron Banks
May 16, 2012 at 1:14 pmCongratulations Tipper!
One only has read your blog to know that you are an intelligent lady. An old departed friend and mentor had a saying that has stuck with me through the years. “Use your head for something besides a hat rack.” It is obvious that you have done just that!
Ron
Laura @ Laura Williams' Musings
May 16, 2012 at 1:06 pmCongratulations!
There are indeed smart people in the Appalachians… media just likes to portray us as dumb, hillbillies.
Special Ed
May 16, 2012 at 1:02 pmYew musta called my tooter ater all. I toled yew how she heped me. Looks like shez heped yew alot two. I nowed all the time yew wuz smart. Now yew got papers two pruv it. Cungradulashuns!
Nancy M.
May 16, 2012 at 12:48 pmI always knew there were smart people there! Of course there are, you live there! I never believe all the crazy stereotypes people place on different areas or people.
Laurie Stone
May 16, 2012 at 12:48 pmCongratulations Tipper!
I’m not sure if you know how much of an inspiration you are to the rest of us. Blind Pig and the Acorn really set the tone for Appalachian blogging.
One of the many gifts you possess is telling the story – at the same time – bringing the characters and customs to life with your unique style.
You posts are full of positive, humorous, yet honest portrayals.
The rest of us are mostly striving to reach the bar that you have set so high.
I am sure that I’m not the only one who felt that writing about our heritage online was takin a bite of cud bigger than we thought we could chew, but you showed us it was possible.
For today, jump up on your high horse and crow like a rooster cause you have earned it!
Belva
May 16, 2012 at 12:20 pmCongratulations to all the recepients of these awards! Tipper, you go girl! I already knew that you were one smart lady. Instilling a love and knowledge of the traditions and customs of your area and passing it on to your girls and all of us that follow these posts each day had already shown me how smart you are.
Bill Burnett
May 16, 2012 at 12:19 pmCongratulations Young Lady, the reason I call you “Young Lady” is that I was graduated from TCCC in 1971 and then saw your picture with your mother in 1972 and realized what a young whipper snapper you are. In the words of Joe Don Baker on his TV series Eischeid, “You Done Good”.
Glynda
May 16, 2012 at 11:42 amCongrats Tipper, well deserved and
I know your family must be very proud of you. I know we,your(Blind Pig) readers are and I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity every day to read your blog, have enjoyed each and every one of them ( especially the recipes ) and even though I have not had the good fortune of meeting you in person you make me feel like we have been best friends for years. I thank you for that, Tipper.
Tom
May 16, 2012 at 11:31 amCongratulations Tipper! Wow, what an honor to receive. Yes, there are right smart and very educated Appalachians, and you are one of them! So nice to see hard-working people recognized for their achievements. Miss Cindy mentioned you are going to school full-time. So, what are you studying?
Lise
May 16, 2012 at 11:17 amCongratulations Tipper!
I do have to say though, and in agreement with the other comments, always knew you were smart! You have been a bit of a blog teacher for me, and you don’t even know it!
Thank for your unknowing mentorship and I tip my hat to you!
Ken
May 16, 2012 at 10:45 amTipper,
I’m proud of you! We always knew
you were right smart and getting
some national attention is great.
Besides, you’re ours to share with
the rest of the World.
Has anyone heard from our buddie
Lonnie lately? …Ken
Jim Casada
May 16, 2012 at 10:13 amTipper (and all her loyal readers)–as you know I’m a recovering professor, so I have a solid grasp on those dual honors mean. They translate to consistent academic performance at the highest levels of achievement. Again, congratulations. I’m proud of you (and proud to know you).
Jim Casada
B. Ruth
May 16, 2012 at 9:45 amTipper,
I jest knowed that thar wuz you on the righthand a’fore I even did read the comments…LOL
Congratulations!!!!
I tell you what…we’un’s rite here on the Blind Pig could’ve give you a big old prizy since we’uns always knowed you wuz smart. Jest ask any one of us!
Now then, don’t you go gettin’ all high flutin’, stuck-up or hoity-toity on us…since you now belong to one of them social societies that drink thar tea in the mid-afternoon frum a cup instead of iced with mint in a mason jar! LOL
We love you no matter how many smarts or (not smarts) papers you have…we knows you’us smart and appreciate all you do here..
Thanks Tipper,
Tipper
May 16, 2012 at 8:48 amJim-you know I don’t like to tell about my achievements but I figure if I don’t fess up on this one you’ll call the college and find out LOL. I was inducted into the National Technical Honor Society and Phi Theta Kappa.
Blind Pig The Acorn
Celebrating and Preserving the
Culture of Appalachia
http://www.blindpigandtheacorn.com
Tipper
May 16, 2012 at 8:43 amMike-you are so right! There are smart people-and educated people everywhere. But somehow the people of Appalachia get the short end of the stick when both of those issues are discussed.
I use the term right smart-and I say wasper too : )
Blind Pig The Acorn
Celebrating and Preserving the
Culture of Appalachia
http://www.blindpigandtheacorn.com
Mike McLain
May 16, 2012 at 8:19 amThere are smart people everywhere and with all levels of education. I am a big believer in education, but it does not make a person smart, only educated.
In answer to Ed, I have heard “smart” used that way and also to indicate that something hurts. “I got stung by a wasper and it really smarts.” Note “wasper” rather than “wasp”. I don’t know where “wasper” comes from, but I heard it all the time growing up.
Rebecca Haughn
May 16, 2012 at 8:10 amAm struck by the numer of skirts/dresses being worn, It is refreshing when I rarely see it around where I live. Also according to smartness, I have always thought that the smarts were more natural and not so book learned in the Appalachians. Prefer that knowledge over learned stuff myself.
Jim Casada
May 16, 2012 at 8:08 amTipper–Unless my aging eyes badly deceive me, I’ve spotted your visage in the photograph. For the rest of you, I’ll let the cat out of the bag. I’m passin’ certain that’s Tipper on the right side wearing tan slacks, pants, britches (or whatever the proper word for that particular item of feminine apparel might be).
Now, in the interest of journalistic accuracy and integrity, you need to let all of us know what award(s) you won. Don’t hide your light under a bushel, or as I’ve heard it stated, “she who tooteth not her own horn, surely her horn will not be tooted.” Come clean and tell us. And–HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS!
Jim Casada
http://www.jimcasadaoutdoors.com
Miss Cindy
May 16, 2012 at 8:05 amEd, that’s Tipper on the right in tan pants. She was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa and the National Technical Society.
She is one smart girl, and we are very proud of her.
Tipper does such a fine job of this blog we love and in addition to that she goes to school full time, works part time and takes excellent care of her family….of course it helps that she has a fine, very supportive, and very helpful husband, the Deer Hunter.
Tipper is right smart busy. lol
dolores barton
May 16, 2012 at 8:00 amEducation is an important part of one’s life regardless of age. Life is a learning experience that continues until death. Congratulations to all of them.
quinn
May 16, 2012 at 7:03 amCongratulations to each and every one!
Ed Ammons
May 16, 2012 at 5:38 amAnd a right smart looking bunch, too!
Which one is you?
Speaking of “right smart” do you ever use it as a measure. How much rain did you get? We got a right smart and it’s still raining.