A real American idol
Millions of people who are following the summer reality hit The Glee Project were stunned Sunday to see one contestant walk away from the chance at fulfilling a dream of a lifetime for a young performer.Cameron Mitchell of North Richland Hills withdrew from the competition to secure a recurring role on the third season of Glee after two challenges pushed him where his Christian faith and values would not let him go.Mitchell, 22, struggled with feelings of guilt after a female singing partner unexpectedly kissed him at the end of the "pairability" challenge. And when Director Erik White asked him to kiss another female singer during this week's sexuality challenge, Mitchell declined.Executive Producer Ryan Murphy has said numerous times during the competition that he has always wanted a Christian among Glee's eclectic cast. A character who's conflicted by the steamy sexuality that oozes through the halls of the fictitious McKinley High would be a departure from the current libido-charged lineup. A Christian teen whose faith is tested by the constant temptation rampant at every real American high school would be a storyline to which many young viewers could relate.But Murphy apparently doesn't want a real Christian on the set, just somebody who can act like one up until the director's instructions call for a smoldering lip lock or a roll in the sack.It was refreshing to see the North Texan stand firm, unwilling to compromise his values for a shot on a TV show, no matter how wildly popular it is or what it might mean for his future singing/songwriting career.Mitchell says he has no regrets. Nor should he. To lots of people, he's already a winner.A true American classicThe Haltom City Public Library shared its 50th birthday this week in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of Harper Lee's classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, which was published in 1960 but won the Pulitzer Prize in 1961.As part of its year-long celebration, the library held a discussion of the book Thursday night. The crowd was standing-room only as a panel and the audience had a frank, passionate exchange about the significance of the book on their lives, their experiences with race and class and the state of American justice -- then and now. It was the kind of event other communities ought to emulate.Thursday night's discussion began with newly elected Mayor Richard Hutchison, an engineer and adjunct history professor, giving a historical perspective on the Depression, segregation and Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal. The evening included readings from the book by actress Natalie Berry and reactions from writers Judy Alter, Mike Cochran and the Star-Telegram's Bob Ray Sanders. Haltom High School English teacher Marisa Hafley talked about the impact of Lee's novel on today's young students.The Haltom City library, which began in small, cramped quarters five decades ago in a community that still practiced segregation, now has sprawling facilities offering a variety of entertaining and challenging programming. It is symbolic of the change that has occurred in America and the community that it serves over the past 50 years -- the change that the young characters in To Kill a Mockingbird undoubtedly hoped for. At least that's the thinking from Thursday night's audience.The library's celebration continues today at 2 p.m. with a big-screen showing of the 1962 Academy Award-winning film based on the book. The library is at 4809 Haltom Road in Haltom City.Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
