NEGATIVE# josephm 210713--SLUG-ME-HARDY-DATE--11/12/2009--LOCATION- Hardy Middle School, District of Columbia-PHOTOGRAPHER-MARVIN JOSEPH/TWP--CAPTION--For most of the last decade, Hardy Middle School has been a small gem in DCPS, one of only two decently performing middle schools in the system. Its arts and music program, which draws raves from parents, has helped develop the likes of bassist Ben Williams, winner of the 2009 Thelonious Monk jazz award. The school was built from scratch in the pre-Michelle Rhee years by Patrick Pope, a former Middle School Principal of the Year, who aggressively drew students from across the city. But Hardy is also a 70-percent African-American school in the heart of Georgetown, and Rhee is under pressure from well-to-do white parents in the area's feeder elementary schools to make it a more palatable option for their children. She told the Civic Association of Georgetown that she would have a "major announcement" about Hardy next month, telling the audience: "It's not going to turn overnight, but I think the plan we're moving forward on is one that is really going to boost [the school as an] an option" for parents in places like Key and Mann Elementary. The comments have incensed Hardy parents, both black and white, who believe that "turn overnight" can mean only one thing. This is a vivid example of Rhee's dilemma: how to market DCPS more effectively to the white middle class that tends to flee after elementary school, while still serving her largely non-white base of students and parents. PICTURED, Hope Olson listens to instructions from award-winning instrumental music teacher, Yusef Chisholm teaching his class on wind and percussion instruments.

NEGATIVE# josephm 210251--SLUG-ME-MACE-DATE--10/19/2009--LOCATION- Arlington National Cemetery , Arlington, Virginia -PHOTOGRAPHER-MARVIN JOSEPH/TWP--CAPTION-- Arlington National Cemetery memorial service for Army Specialist Stephan Mace, 21, of Lovettsville, Virginia. He was one of eight soldiers killed in Kamdesh, Afghanistan when enemy forces attacked their contingency outpost with small arms, rocket-propelled grenade and indirect fire. Mace was assigned to the 3rd Squadron 61st Calvary Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado. PICTURED, Vanessa D. Adelson, (mother of Stephan Mace) receive the American Flag from Bridigaire( may have spelled this title wrong) Reuben Jones during a memorial service for her son Army Specialist Stephan Mace, 21, of Lovettsville, Virginia.