“If this qualifies for a hero than anybody can be a hero”

Janice Hall is a senior citizen who walks with the assistance of a walker. She doesn’t own a car. And yet, she walked 2 miles to the grocery store in the blistering Oklahoma heat. As she walked home with her grocery bags, only one person took the time to help her out. This person was Airman, Jibril Jennings. He pulled …

The Power of a Simple Compliment

This is a humorous video, but it is also instructive. This guy drives around the town yelling compliments at complete strangers. The reactions are priceless. First, we are just not accustomed to a stranger will saying anything positive to us. It’s just not “normal.” It probably feels awkward.  Second, once the awkwardness wears off, most people smile. Why? It feels …

Welcome Blog – 2021

We are hoping the 2021-2022 school year is as back to normal as possible.  I hope you are back to “in-person” school, every day.  I hope you get to attend homecoming dances, athletic events and proms. In the history of this country, it is fair to say that you students have had more school disruption in the past couple of …

Najee Harris Respects his Humble Beginnings

Earlier this week Najee Harris was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 24th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft. It was celebration time. After all those countless hours of working, practicing, sweating and sacrificing, Najee’s dream of playing in the NFL came true. There was one important difference between Najee and the other 255 individuals who got drafted …

Humanity at its Finest

Here is a simple uplifting story about humanity. First, a stranger sees a dog in the middle of a raging river, a mere inches from being swept over the falls. He trudges thru raging water, risking his own life, to save this dog. Of course, when he reaches shore, he finds it impossible to get up the steep banks. Next, …

“Refuse Hate” “Refuse Blanket Judgment”

Words from Tyler Perry’s Acceptance Speech at the 2021 Oscars: “My mother taught me to refuse hate. She taught me to refuse blanket judgment. And in this time and with all of the internet and social media and algorithms and everything that wants us to think a certain way—the 24-hour news cycle—it is my hope that all of us will …

Giving Smiles

It’s almost an unspeakable tragedy. Jayden lost his father as a young boy, then a few years later, he lost his mom. “I tried and I tried to get  her awake, but I just couldn’t,” remembered Jayden. After the loss of both parents, people treated him differently. Some actually felt like they couldn’t have fun or smile with him around. …

The True Impact of a Teacher

Joe’s Perspective: On Thursday, my Uncle Bob died. He spent 30 years of his life teaching choir to middle and high school students. I’ve learned something peculiar happens when a family member dies. At least for me, I tend to just see her/him through the family role – mom, day, uncle, cousin. This was true in this case too. He …

Simple Lessons in the Classroom Also Apply in Athletics

Coach Auriemma, the head women’s basketball coach at UConn, is at it again. He just has a way of simplifying things.  “If you go to class & you do average work, you get a C. That’s why it’s called average. If you want a B, you have to do more work & if you want an A you have to …