Albany Almanac – May 20, 2014

As Lee County grapples with questions of trust, leadership and the future of public education, the life of Dr. Robert Clay offers a reminder of the community values that helped build one of Georgia’s most respected school systems.

From the street, strands of purple ribbon wind around the white columns of the historic theater, hinting at the story waiting beyond its doors. Inside the foyer, a carefully curated slideshow flickers across a large screen, cycling through the faces of the cast. Some are seasoned performers. Others are stepping onto a stage for the very first time. Teachers stand alongside former students. Parents perform beside their children. People who worship in different churches, work different jobs and come from different corners of Southwest Georgia gather beneath the same lights to tell the same story.

“We train youth and young adults across the state on substance-use prevention. It’s been incredible to partner with NAMI Albany. Through this training they will become youth prevention mentors.”