Former Sonic Speaks at Assembly  
 
January 8, 2008  
Tim Winter  
Pictures Courtesy of Nathan Iversen  
   
Former Seattle Supersonic Dean Tolson spoke for 45 minutes at the January 4th all school assembly. His message was about the importance of education and hard work as students pursue their dreams. Tolson’s story is a compelling one. When Tolson graduated from high school in Kansas City in the early 70’s, he was illiterate. He told PHS students that the University of Arkansas arranged for someone to take his SAT’s so that he would qualify for admittance to the university. After setting many basketball records for the Razorbacks, the Sonics drafted Tolson where he played four years. After 11 years playing in Europe, his mother sat him down and made him think about life after basketball. During the assembly, Tolson told how he went back to school at 32 years old and earned his bachelor’s degree. At age 52, he earned his master’s degree from the University of Arkansas. After the assembly, students talked individually with Tolson for another hour. Thanks to assistant principals, Dave Goodwin and Melissa McNeish for making this assembly happen.  
   
 		  
 
Dean Tolson shows PHS students his diplomas from the University of Arkansas     
     
 
Dean Tolson talking to students about the importance of paying attention and being respectful  
   
 
Dean Tolson talked with students for an hour after the assembly