GOOD MORNING AND HAPPY FRIDAY!

PEP RALLY TODAY- The pep rally will begin at 1:40 at GHS today to allow for all student groups to participate.  Hope to see you there! BE LOUD AND PROUD!!!

LADY BLUES VOLLEYBALL- The Lady Blues continued their winning ways this past Tuesday by defeating Vernon to improve to 2-0 in district play.  This evening they are on the road to WF to face the Lady Huskies from Hirschi High.  BEAT HIRSCHI!

GRAHAM STEER FOOTBALL- The Steers will be at Newton Field tonight against the Stephenville Yellow Jackets.  Kickoff is at 7:30. BEAT STEPHENVILLE HIGH!

RSB3- The Rompin Stompin Big Blue band will be marching in the Sounds of Springtown Marching Festival on Saturday.  REPRESENT!

LADY BLUES AND GRAHAM STEER TENNIS- Our varsity tennis teams will be hosting Hirschi beginning at 9:00 am on Saturday morning.  GOOD LUCK!

GJHS LADY BLUES VOLLEYBALL GRAHAM TOURNAMENT- The GJHS volleyball teams will be playing in our home tournament on Saturday. GOOD LUCK LADIES!

Less is More!

It takes tremendous fortitude to utter the words “I was wrong, and I am sorry.” Synonyms for fortitude include: strength, courage, resilience, grit, determination, endurance, guts, and staying power.  Who doesn’t want to be all of that?

Too often we deal with people who believe that admitting they were wrong shows weakness or ineptness. The danger of that belief, especially when it is held by people in positions of power or authority, is that it backs a leader into defending their poor choices, even when they themselves have come to recognize they were wrong. We end up placing false blame on others in order to prove that they were right. We point fingers and say that someone else didn’t execute as they should have and that is the reason things went wrong. In our minds we see this as a way to save face or retain respect. Sadly, we don’t accomplish any of those things. In fact, we accomplish the exact opposite. Others recognize when mistakes have been made, and they also recognize when a someone is covering his/her own tracks. They ultimately lose respect, trust, and confidence.

If we want to be genuinely successful in both our professional and personal life, we have to be willing to set aside our pride, our fears, and our insecurities, and really come to recognize that to be a true leader that is deserving of their position of authority, we must earn – not demand – the respect of others.  The journey toward earning their respect begins the moment we recognize our mistakes and have the integrity and fortitude to utter the words, “I was wrong, and I am sorry” without any distractors such as, “well, I only acted like that because you did this.” In this case less is definitely more!

CORNY JOKE OF THE DAY:

How do you fix a broken pumpkin? (Scroll down for the answer)

A pumpkin patch!

Ten Things I Know About You

GOOD MORNING AND HAPPY HOMECOMING FRIDAY!

Congrats to Sydney East, Elizabeth Routon and Lexie Williams! These three young ladies were nominated by their classmates for Homecoming Queen.  To quote GHS principal Joe Gordy, “These three ladies serve as an excellent representation of our high school and best of all they are all three very involved and all three nice to everyone!”

Lady Blues Volleyball- Beat Burkburnett today at 4:30 in the GHS gym!

Graham Steers Football- Beat Burkburnett tonight at 7:30 at Newton Field!

Lady Blues and Graham Steer Cross Country- Best of luck at the Western Hills Invitational Meet in Ft. Worth on Saturday.

Lady Blues and Graham Steer Tennis- Good luck at home vs Hirschi on Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m.

Teacher of the Month Program- Beginning this month, we will be honoring one of our teachers as the Teacher of the Month.  Benchmark Office Solutions is partnering with the district on this award and will be providing the Teacher of the Month with a $100.00 gift card. To nominate someone for the award complete the form at https://goo.gl/forms/Cq00ltlNd07ChGgI2. The nomination process will close at noon on Thursday, September 28th.

Reminder: Three Weeks Till Texas Voter Registration Deadline- October 10 is the last day to register to vote for the November 7 General Election. (Applications must be received in the Voter Registrar’s office or postmarked at least 30 days before an election for individuals to be eligible to vote in that election.) Early voting runs October 23–November 3. Learn more. Several constitutional amendments will be on the ballot.

Free Flu Shots- Jordan’s Pharmacy is ready to begin giving Flu shots.  If you have TRS health insurance the shots will be free.

TEN (10) THINGS I KNOW ABOUT YOU    

1) You are reading this.     

2) You are human.

3) You can't say the letter ''P'' without separating your lips.

4) You just attempted to do it.

6) You are laughing at yourself.     

7) You have a smile on your face and you skipped No. 5.

8) You just checked to see if there is a No. 5.

9) You laugh at this because you are a fun loving person.

10) You are probably going to send this to others.

Have a great day.  Laugh, and then laugh and sing.   Life is beautiful - even when it's not….and - DO NOT REGRET GROWING OLDER.  IT'S A PRIVILEGE DENIED TO MANY.

CORNY JOKE OF THE DAY FROM AMY MURPHY:

What time do you go to the dentist?

At tooth-hurty!

Wonders of the World

GOOD MORNING AND HAPPY FRIDAY!

Praise and Celebration- Coach Regina England- The information below was shared with Mrs. Robbins by a parent.  Great job Coach England!

“I attended the cross country meet in Lipan yesterday and had a parent from another school stop me to brag on our kids and Coach England, so I thought it would share it with you.  She said that their group had been watching how well Coach England handled the huge group of Graham kids in general, but they were most impressed with how the Graham kids went back after they finished the race to cheer on their team members and then continued to cheer and keep up with the very last runners in the race until every one of them crossed the finish line.  As a parent of kids she is coaching, I know that Coach England is fabulous at her job, but I thought it was an even better thing for a stranger to notice her work!”

Lady Blues Volleyball- The Lady Blues will be in action at home this afternoon at 4:00 pm vs Millsap.  GO LADY BLUES!”

Lady Blues and Graham Steer Tennis will be playing against Hirschi tomorrow.  Good luck!

Congrats Graham Steers! The Steers defeated Hirschi 42-35 to improve to 3-0 on the season. Next up… Burkburnett for the Homecoming Victory. Go Steers!

Congrats Lady Blues Cross Country! The Lady Blues JV and Varsity teams won the Lipan meet.

Teacher of the Month Program- Beginning this month, we will honoring one of our teachers as the Teacher of the Month.  Benchmark Office Solutions is partnering with the district on this award and will be providing the Teacher of the Month with a $100.00 gift card. To nominate someone for the award complete the form at https://goo.gl/forms/Cq00ltlNd07ChGgI2.

Free Flu Shots- Jordan’s Pharmacy is ready to begin giving Flu shots.  If you have TRS health insurance the shots will be free.

Wonders of the World

A group of Geography students studied the Seven Wonders of the World. At the end of that section, the students were asked to list what they considered to be the Seven Wonders of the World.

Though there was some disagreement, the following got the most votes:

1. Egypt's Great Pyramids

2. Taj Mahal

3. Grand Canyon

4. Panama Canal

5. Empire State Building

6. St. Peter's Basilica

7. China's Great Wall

While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student, a quiet girl, hadn't turned in her paper yet. So, she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list.

The quiet girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many."

The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help."

The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the Seven Wonders of the World are:

1. to touch

2. to taste

3. to see

4. to hear

She hesitated a little, and then

5. to run

6. to laugh

7. and to love

It is far too easy for us to look at the exploits of man and refer to them as "wonders" while we overlook all God has done, regarding them as merely

"ordinary."

May you be reminded today of those things which are truly wondrous.

Have a nice day and enjoy your Wonder of the World!

CORNY JOKE OF THE DAY:

Have you heard about the corduroy pillow?

No? Really?  It’s making headlines!

Remember The Alamo

GOOD MORNING AND HAPPY FRIDAY!

Lady Blues and Graham Steer Cross Country- Best of luck at the Seymour Invitational Meet!

Lady Blues Volleyball- Good luck at Bridgeport tonight!

Graham Steer Football- Best of luck at Brownwood this evening.  Presale tickets are available at the GISD administration office until 1:00 pm today. All tickets will be $6.00 at the gate.

Woodland Annual Hamburger Supper- Mark your calendar for Thursday, October 19th.

Teacher of the Month Program- Beginning this month, we will be honoring one of our teachers as the Teacher of the Month.  Benchmark Office Solutions is partnering with the district on this award and will be providing the Teacher of the Month with a $100.00 gift card. To nominate someone for the award complete the form at https://goo.gl/forms/Cq00ltlNd07ChGgI2.

Free Flu Shots- Jordan’s Pharmacy is ready to begin giving Flu shots.  If you have TRS health insurance the shots will be free.

REMEMBER THE ALAMO

It’s a story from which legends grow. It’s a story whose significance only swells over time. It is the story of Texas independence and the Battle of San Jacinto. You are all true Texans, so you’ve heard the story before, but it deserves to be told at least one more time!

The leader of the Texican army was Sam Houston. Sam Houston was a Virginian who found his way to Texas by way of Tennessee. He had an up and down career, but on April 21, 1836, fate put the right person in the right place, and Texas independence from Mexico was the result.

General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna was the president of Mexico, and he was leading the Mexican army on that fateful day. A self-styled “Napoleon of the West”, Santa Anna’s victories at the Alamo and Goliad almost assured Mexican control of the area north of the Rio Grande River that the settlers called Texas.

Destiny seemed to push Houston’s army and Santa Anna’s army to San Jacinto. While the Texican army had fought hard and valiantly over several months, victories were few and far between. The Mexican army out-numbered the Texicans, and they were a more organized and trained fighting machine. In previous battles, Santa Anna had proven to be a ruthless conqueror, and Sam Houston knew what was at stake as he prepared for this, maybe his last, battle.

For the first and only time in his military career, Houston called a council of war to hear from his officers their thoughts about strategy. Should their army attack or wait to be attacked? The officers debated the question back and forth. Advantages and disadvantages of each strategy were argued endlessly. When Houston realized that they were getting nowhere, he looked at his watch. It read 3:30 in the afternoon. He dismissed his council and gave the order: “ATTACK!”

The Texican army moved from the safety of the woods across the plains toward the opposing army. What a swashbuckling sight! Sam Houston at the lead of the army with his sword held high, the fife and drum playing a tune to keep the troops moving briskly, and the silken flag of liberty rippling in the brisk wind…and there was no opposition. None!

Sam Houston’s army was almost on top of the enemy camp before the first volley of gunfire caught Houston and his white stallion. With blood filling his boot, the General corralled another horse, and let out a cry, “Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!” At about the same time, from the rear, came, “Fight for your lives. The bridge has been cut.” The only path of retreat for the Texicans was gone; it was literally a fight to the death!

Eighteen minutes later General Sam Houston’s army of 435 men had completely routed the 1,600 Mexican soldiers under General Santa Anna. It seemed almost like the Texicans had caught the Mexicans napping. Well, in reality, they had. For the Mexican army, siesta time was 4:00 p.m. Sam Houston’s army engaged them at 4:30 p.m. They had, quite literally, caught the Mexican army asleep!

Isn’t that just the way life can be? Seldom in life are we “defeated” because we lack the knowledge or power or might to persevere? More often than not, when things do not turn out like they should, we discover that we, like Santa Anna, have fallen asleep, have been distracted, have become over-confident.

For the next six months, you will be hearing lots of information regarding the upcoming March primary elections. They provide Texas educators with an opportunity to make a difference for our state. The Texas 85th Legislative Sessions have made it clear that politics has trumped policy at our Capitol. Our state and our profession are being held hostage by a politician that does not see past his next election! Too often in the past at election time Texas educators have been like General Santa Anna – napping as the battle raged on. This time, as the primary election approaches, we must be like General Sam Houston – on the attack!

United educators can elect officials who respect public education and honor teachers…if we just stay awake and FIGHT!

CORNY JOKE OF THE DAY (Courtesy of GJHS’s Lanis Graham):

What do you call a fake noodle? (Scroll down for the answer)

Im”pasta”!

Shake It Off

GOOD MORNING AND HAPPY FIRST FOOTBALL FRIDAY!

Lady Blues Volleyball- Congrats to the 4th Ranked Lady Blues for their victory over Archer City this past Tuesday.  The Blues are in action this evening in Brownwood against the Lady Lions. PLAY HARD...HIT HARD...BE VICTORIOUS!

Graham Steer & Lady Blues Cross Country Teams Compete at the Burkburnett Meet- Sam Perkins finished 13th for the Steers and the Lady Blues JV and Varsity both finished 3rd. Congrats!

Graham Steers Football vs the Sanger Indians Tonight- It all starts with game 1.  Hope to see you there decked out in your Steer Gear to watch the Steers defeat the Indians!

The Graham Steers, the Sanger Indians and the Texas High School Coaches Association are partnering to assist the Hurricane Harvey victims. It is now more important than ever for us to make a strong effort to help our family, friends, and neighbors that have been devastated in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. Graham ISD and Sanger ISD will be partnering this Thursday and Friday with the Texas High School Coaches Education Foundation to collect donations for the Texas Red Cross Hurricane Relief Fund. We are asking for your help… Sanger ISD will be collecting donations on Thursday at the sub-varsity contests. The JV football team will be “Passing the Helmet” during the second quarter of the varsity contest this Friday at Newton Field. ALL DONATIONS WILL BE DELIVERED TO THE TEXAS RED CROSS HURRICANE RELIEF FUND.

School Events/School Calendar- Please make sure all your events are being placed on the web calendar.

November 7, 2017 Elections- ARE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE? The last day to register to vote in the November election is October 10, 2017.  It’s a simple process to complete. Go to https://webservices.sos.state.tx.us/vrapp/index.asp.

Hurricane Harvey landed a big punch but not as big as the Spirit of Texans!

“Texas will again lift its head and stand among the nations. It ought to do so, for no country upon the globe can compare with it in natural advantages.” Sam Houston, President Republic of Texas.

“I have said that Texas is a state of mind, but I think it is more than that. It is a mystique closely approximating a religion. And this is true to the extent that people either passionately love Texas or passionately hate it and, as in other religions, few people dare to inspect it for fear of losing their bearings in mystery or paradox. But I think there will be little quarrel with my feeling that Texas is one thing. For all its enormous range of space, climate, and physical appearance, and for all the internal squabbles, contentions, and strivings, Texas has a tight cohesiveness perhaps stronger than any other section of America. Rich, poor, Panhandle, Gulf, city, country, Texas is the obsession, the proper study and the passionate possession of all Texans.”

John Steinbeck, Author 1962.

I’m sure you have all heard the parable below as told by a farmer who owned an old mule. The people of the Great State of Texas, like this old mule, have traditionally shown the ability to “shake it off”.   

Shake it Off

The mule fell into the farmer's well. The farmer heard the mule 'braying' -or- whatever mules do when they fall into wells.

After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving.

Instead, he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery. Initially, the old mule was hysterical. But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back a thought struck him. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back He should shake it off and step up.

This he did, blow after blow. "Shake it off and step up, shake it off and step up, shake it off and step up," He repeated to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows, or how distressing the situation seemed the old mule fought panic and just kept right on shaking it off and stepping up.

It wasn't long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped triumphantly over the wall of that well. What seemed like it would bury him, actually blessed him all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.

That's life. If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity.  The adversities that come along to bury us usually have within them the potential to benefit and bless us. Remember that Forgiveness, Faith, Prayer, Praise and Hope all are excellent ways to shake it off and step up out of the wells in which we find ourselves.

CORNY JOKE OF THE DAY:

How do you befriend a squirrel? (Scroll down for the answer)

 

Just act like a nut.