Posted on 06/02/2009 3:45:41 PM PDT by mgstarr
Justice Thomas -- who otherwise never misses court -- skipped a SCOTUS session to speak at the graduation of his travel companions.
High school seniors Terrence Stephens and Jason Ankrah, star football players at Quince Orchard High School in Gaithersburg, Md., were sitting on a plane returning from a recruitment session at the University of Nebraska when they struck up a conversation with the man sitting next to them.
Their seat-mate just happened to be a major Cornhuskers fan.
When they started chatting, Stephens and Ankrah didn't have a clue they were holding court with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
"I was amazed this guy knew so much about us as football players and as people," said Stephens. "That was shocking. I felt honored to be known by someone of his caliber. He was just a regular old guy, sitting in coach, which really shocked me."
By the time the plane landed, the students had figured out who Thomas was, and they promptly told their principal they wanted to invite Thomas to give the keynote speech at their high school graduation. Of course, Principal Carole Working didn't exactly think Thomas would take them up on it. But he showed up at the high school on Monday.
"These young men had no idea who I was as I formed my first impression. I was just another stranger to them. They were wonderful ambassadors for your school and for their fellow students," said Thomas at the Quince Orchard graduation ceremony.
When Stephens and Ankrah arrived on-stage to receive their diplomas, they were both embraced by Justice Thomas.
Ankrah will be playing football for Nebraska next year, but Stephens will be attending Stanford. The justice said he doesn't have any hard feelings over that.
that is so cool
Class act.
What a great story.
NBC actually reported this? Wow. Some story editor is going to get fired.
Justice Thomas is a great American.
I’ll take a Thomas over a Sotomayor
Attending Stanford is just wrong and Nebraska isn’t much better.
GO HUSKIES
Clarence Thomas is a class individual.
Great story. NBC still sucks though.
Great story!!!
someone must have been sleeping at the news desk to let that one through
WOW! What an amazing story! Clarence Thomas is a sincerely GREAT MAN. Apparently he is humble (or cheap), too. LOL!
Riding coach? I try NOT to ride coach and I’m just a peon. It is so uncomfortable there. I guess I could stand it for a short four hour flight, but for a 13-hour flight coach is just intolerable.
At least they didn't go to Big 10 school. That would be a waste of talent.
Wow! A positive story about Justice Thomas from the MSM!
I’m shocked.
A wonderful heartlifting story.
You gave me a good laugh with the “GO HUSKIES”. Hey, at least you have dedication. Just like the Detroit Lions, no where to go but up. Have you seen this?...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI_xCBAv2rk
GO DUCKS!
GO BEAVERS!
*A real Supreme Court Justice bump*
You’re a great man, Mr Justice Thomas . . .
but a Cornhusker????
Say it isn’t so
GOOSEBUMPS !
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