Nashville Predator, Jordin Tootoo, at DLMS

DLMS seventh and eighth graders enjoyed a long-awaited visit recently by a Nashville celebrity.  After three years of invitations from Mrs. Cochrane’s World Geography class, Canadian native, Jordin Tootoo, of the Nashville Predators, accepted the invitation to speak to the students about his life in northern Canada.  

The Jordin Tootoo saga began three years ago when Mrs. Cochrane’s class was studying northern Canada.  Mrs. Cochrane read the class an article about Mr. Tootoo from The Tennessean.  The article told of his Inuit culture and life in the Nunavut Territory of Canada.  The class thought it would be a good idea to invite Mr. Tootoo to David Lipscomb so he could give them a first-hand account of this culture.  For the following three years, each seventh grade class sent emails, letters, faxes, and cards to Mr. Tootoo.  Students who attended the Predators games would take posters and signs inviting him to come to Lipscomb.  Mrs. Cochrane, and numerous other students, even stopped by the customer service desk every time they attended the games to leave a message for Jordin Tootoo to come.  But, due to his hectic schedule and his popularity, nothing worked.

Then, Mrs. Cochrane’s class had an idea.  While visiting the St. Louis Arch on their class trip, the students formed the numbers 2-2 by lying down on the grassy area underneath the arch.  Mrs. Cochrane remained in the arch with a few parents, and a picture was made of the human 2-2 from high above through the arch windows.  This photograph was sent to Mr. Tootoo from the seventh graders along with another invitation to come to DLMS.  This time, the class succeeded in catching the attention of the Nashville Predators and Jordin Tootoo.

On Wednesday, September 16, the seventh and eighth grade students assembled in Acuff to welcome their long-awaited guest.   And, it was definitely worth the wait.  Amid cheers and applause, Jordin Tootoo arrived.  He spoke of his life in Nunavut and answered many questions from the students.  In a most generous manner, he awarded t-shirts and free Predators’ tickets to the lucky few.  Mr. Tootoo also stayed after the assembly for photographs and autographs.  After three years of trying, Mrs. Cochrane admitted that it was worth the effort.  The students walked away with an understanding of a culture very different from Middle Tennessee.

                                                                                                Check out the Nashville Predators’  website for an article and photos of Jordin Tootoo’s David Lipscomb visit.