Going it Alone

Good Morning and Happy Friday!

Great job this week by the Lady Blues Volleyball team defeating the Brownwood Lady Lions in five games to improve to 2 – 1 in district play!  Excellent warm up performance by our Graham High Rompin Stompin Big Blue Band at the marching festival in Wichita Falls this past Monday evening!  The GJHS cross country girls notched another first place finish at the Brock Invitational.

Awesome “Pink Out” Pep Rally- Way to represent Crestview Elementary! 

A reminder Why Wear Pink

Big day and weekend for many in the Steer Nation!  I encourage you to come out this evening 5:00 p.m. to support our Lady Blues volleyball team as they taken on Abilene Wylie.  Afterwards, it’s a short walk to Newton Field to support the Graham Steers as they open district play against Gainesville.  Good luck and safe travel for our RSB3 as they compete in marching contests in Ponder and Denton on Saturday! Best of luck to Steer/Lady Blue tennis teams as they compete at Brownwood on Saturday!

REMINDERS:

• If you know of good news I should share about our students, staff, etc. please send me an email with the information, pics, etc.
• If you know of GISD family members that want a prayer and concern email sent to the staff please send me the information via email.
• Veterans Day Tribute- complete the form and email me the pics.

Today’s Message:

Going it Alone

This past weekend while attending the TASA/TASB Convention in Austin I had the opportunity to listen to Liz Murray share her story of overcoming very challenging circumstances (poor, drug-addicted HIV positive parents and homeless as a teen). Despite these hardships, Liz dropped back in to high school and graduated in two years. She earned a New York Times scholarship and was accepted into Harvard University. The Lifetime network produced a made-for-TV movie based on her life-  Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story.  Liz is a best selling author, motivational speaker and currently working on doctorate in education.

Her presentation at the convention was emotional and moving.  One point that resonated with me was that she has been labeled by some as a “bootstrapper”.  Merriam Webster defines this term as:

Carried out with minimum resources or advantages.

To promote or develop by initiative and effort with little or no assistance.

She totally rebuffed this label by stating, “No one gets where they are going alone.”

She, like me and like many of you, found at least one person or mentor to provide direction and expectations on our path to where we were going. Who was your one person or the several that helped you get to where you are today?  Are you open to being that person for your students?

To learn more about Liz Murray- Google her or connect with her on Facebook or on Twitter at @Liz_Murray.

Have a great day… unless you choose otherwise!

Corny Joke of the Day:

How does NASA organize their company parties? (scroll down for the answer)

They planet!