Dear Wonderful Lovejoy Community:
“What many of us need most is a good vigorous kick in the seat of the cant’s
.” – Ame Babcock
About eight summers ago, my wife, Dena, and I decided to connect in a way that would test even the best of relationships. We signed on to compete in the Texas State Open Adventure Triathlon...a combination of mountain biking, canoeing, and trail running. This race was 4 miles of trail running, followed by 1.5 miles of canoeing and 13 miles of mountain biking. I am exhausted all over again just typing this.
We trained fairly well, but not exceptionally well and finished respectfully and certainly accomplished our pre-race goal of not finishing last! During this process, I will tell you I learned an enormous amount about myself, my partner, and more importantly life.
Dena and I had an incredible experience training and actually competing in the race. It truly was one of the most enjoyable things we've ever done together. But, I will tell you it was not all love and roses. I honestly think that if access to a lawyer was available in the middle of the canoeing adventure, she would have received the boat and the water. Who knew someone could be so upset about getting hit in the head with the paddle - three times? Fortunately for me, she had her biking helmet on. Here is a simple math problem I probably should have calculated prior to getting in the canoe: 245 pound man + 1 partially inflated canoe with man in back = Dena having a difficult time in front of the boat even touching the water from the boat being so tilted. Can you say “built in” anchor?
Through the adventures of training, competing and finishing with a great sense of accomplishment, I can now say I had no idea that Glenrose, Texas was so hilly. We climbed in the run, we climbed in the canoe, we climbed in the mountain biking. Did you know that every hill in Glenrose is uphill?
I learned how important it is to not focus on the climb, but the connection. Most people naturally fall into the climber or connector role. You can become focused on the position or situation you are in and lose sight of the relationship.
Here are a few differences:
Climbers
focus on where you are in the race.
Connectors
focus on who you are in the race with.
Climbers
see the competition itself.
Connectors
value the entire event.
Climbers
seek power or position.
Connectors
seek building a partnership.
Climbers
want to stand apart.
Connectors
stand together.
Climbers are in no way negative; as a matter of fact I climbed a lot in the race and have had to climb often in my life. But I found true success comes in embracing the best of both characteristics.
If you’re not giving your best in the situation you’re in today, you’ll never be happy with the situation tomorrow.
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It can become very easy to focus on the climb that is ahead for you or your teammates and look at pursuits with good intent, but miss the connector moments along the way. In the same light, connection may be your only focus and you may forget to climb.
You are a great litmus for those you influence as climbers and connectors. When the pressure of the climb is getting heavy and painful, don't rush to ease the load every time. Help those you influence see the connection. If the connecting of events or activities is determining the height of the climb, remind those you influence how important it is to keep climbing.
I am thankful for Dena as she was a great reminder for me of climbers and connectors. Even after a slight mishap with a canoe paddle, ok, three slight mishaps, this remains one of our favorite memories!
As we move into the full swing of the fall season and weariness may set in, don’t let the climb distract you from the connections of all you can accomplish.
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Making Dena carry the boat. : )
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I have no feeling in my legs…Dena still not happy about the paddle to the head.
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Not sure I am going to finish….but Dena was great encouragement!
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I am so thankful to be climbing with you, and even more excited about connecting with you.
Be not just a Climber, but a Connector. That’s the differentiating factor for us as leaders in our schools, our district and our community.
We are One Heart. One Lovejoy.
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The fall season is in full swing, and we are nearing the entrance into the holiday season!
We were thrilled to celebrate the beginning of the “We Live Lovejoy” campaign this past week through the refresh of our websites and the launch of the “We Live Lovejoy” video at Homecoming. It’s very exciting to continue to build momentum following such a strong start to the school year!
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I am so proud of our work thus far, and know we have only just begun. We are a lighthouse district, full of incredible kids, parents, staff members, teachers and community members. But we still haven’t reached our full potential. We are continuing to examine systems, mindsets, approaches and any gaps which may exist in creating the greatest experiences for each and every one of our kids. We all play a huge role in that. It is critical to see the opportunity we have, with the ingredients we have, to set a new standard of exceptional for not only ourselves, but for all whom we influence.
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Our Lovejoy Homecoming festivities filled my heart with pride! From welcoming our alumni home to celebrating a great victory, it was a wonderful evening!
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On Saturday, the Band and Color Guard competed in the first round of the UIL Competition. We are excited for them as they move to the Area competition this weekend. Congratulations and best wishes to our Band and Color Guard!
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We continued our celebration of Principal month this week honoring Holly Haynes, Puster Elementary School Principal. Missouri is Holly’s home state where she was a college A Capella singer!
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It was an honor to spend time with Chris Mayfield, Principal of Lovejoy High School. Chris went to Oklahoma State and played football there. He began his education as a substitute teacher where he found his passion for impacting kids.
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I was excited to spend time with Ray Winkler, Principal of Sloan Creek Intermediate School. Did you know Mr. Winkler is from Michigan, is a professional musician, and was part of the administrative team for Lovejoy High School’s first graduating class in 2010?
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Good Morning Texas visited Lovejoy High School on Tuesday morning to celebrate Josh Strickland, Lovejoy High School Engineering Teacher, as the teacher of the month. Congratulations to Mr. Strickland on this tremendous honor!
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Wednesday was the 1st day of class for Leadership Lovejoy. Leadership Lovejoy is comprised of community members who applied to become part of a group who will grow as ambassadors of Lovejoy ISD. They will learn about all aspects of the district and began their learning with the district’s history.
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I was thankful to spend time with State Board of Education member Pam Little. We appreciate her heart and passion for excellence with our students throughout the State of Texas.
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Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the week:
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Living Lovejoy
I received a note from a parent regarding two students from Hart Elementary named Valin and Carly Kinsella. Their neighbor saw them the day after the storm, collecting the trash that had blown into her tree line. When the neighbor came and asked them why they were doing that, they said “at our school we learn about many great characteristics, and how important it is to show them. One of them is to do good things for others. So, we wanted to help.”
What a great example for us all! I’m so proud of Valin and Carly for Living Lovejoy!
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Lovejoy Robotics
Congratulations to the Lovejoy Robotics Teams on their success in the first competition of the year in the VEX Robotics Austin Tower Takeover. Lovejoy's t
eams 1082A and 1082B, ranked 6th and 2nd respectively, competed together as a powerful alliance in the final rounds and finished as finalists. Team 1082C, ranked 12th in qualifications, made an amazing run to be semifinalists. Other notable highlights include the following: 1082A was a finalist in their design and engineering notebook, 1082B had a skills score that landed them as the 23rd best score in the world at the end of the weekend, and 1082C, led by sophomore
Alyssa Vaughn
, was the first Lovejoy Robotics team in history to be led by a girl team captain and make it as far as the semis. The team members who competed are (L to R):
Hasif Shaikh,
Brenden Diaz,
Anthony Ciletti,
Jacob Barnes
,
Chase Barnes,
Alyssa Vaughn
,
Zach Valentine
and
Luke Whitfill
. We are Lovejoy Proud!
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WSMS All-Region Orchestra
This past Saturday our region hosted our Annual All-Region Orchestra Contest at Allen High School. All Region is an individual competition where our students learn a packet of music which includes an etude and excerpts they learn on their own. This music is difficult and stretches them as musicians. They compete against all other musicians from 6th-8th grade in our region. This includes Allen, Mckinney, Rockwall and Sherman. They are sent into the audition room in groups of 15-20 and perform small sections for a panel of judges in front of their peers. Congratulations to the following students for going above and beyond and learning the all-region music and auditioning:
Helena Heinrich-Barna
David Groves
Clark Koons
Keaton Penn
Sofia Rodas
Edward Sutton
Chris Wang
James Wilkins
John Witherspoon
Liam Whittington
Congratulations to the following students for making the All-Region Orchestra:
Alissa Chang
5th Chair Violin Brahms Orchestra
David Wang
16th Chair Violin Brahms Orchestra
Niina Wheeler
31st Chair Violin Brahms Orchestra
Thomas Clancy
22nd Chair Violin Beethoven Orchestra
Hannah Mao
9th Chair Viola Brahms Orchestra
Aarathi Devakumar
31st Chair Violin Beethoven Orchestra
Alex Simpkins
7th Chair Cello Brahms Orchestra
Jocelyn Kim
12th Chair Cello Beethoven Orchestra
We are incredibly proud of all of these students!
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LHS All-Region Orchestra
This past Saturday our region hosted the Annual All-Region Orchestra Contest at Allen High School. The musicians auditioned against all other musicians from 9th -12th grade in our region to include Allen, Mckinney, Rockwall and Sherman.
A big congratulations to the following students who were selected as members of the Region 25 Orchestras!
Carol Xu
Violin, 7th in Symphony Orchestra
Cecile Zhang
Violin, 20th in Symphony Orchestra
Michelle Wang
Viola, 11th in Symphony Orchestra
Abigail Xue
Cello, 10th in Philharmonic Orchestra
Jacob Beets
Violin, 27th in Philharmonic Orchestra
Mark Wen
Cello, 1st alternate in Philharmonic Orchestra
Congratulations to the following students who qualified to record for All-State:
Carol Xu
Cecile Zhang
Michelle Wang
Abigail Xue
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LHS Student Council Hosts Veterans for Banquet
The Lovejoy High School Student Council is pleased to invite you to their annual Veterans Day Banquet:
November 11, 2019
5:30 PM
Lovejoy High School Commons
Dinner will be catered by Rudy’s Barbecue. The student council would love for all veterans to attend as their guests.
Please RSVP to:
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Safety and Security Training
Lovejoy ISD is offering “Stop the Bleed” and “Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events” trainings during the month of November. You are invited to join us for this training which is applicable and practical for all community members.
Stop the Bleed
November 19, 2019
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Lovejoy High School Lecture Hall
Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events
November 21, 2019
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Lovejoy High School Lecture Hall
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The
Lovejoy ISD Community News Page
includes news from our schools, programs, booster clubs, student organizations, Foundation for Lovejoy Schools, community, and more. Check back often for up-to-date news on events and activities.
This Week's News:
Senior Judges Needed!
Register Now! 10th Annual Turkey Chess Tournament
Varsity Football Tickets Available Through School Store
Parking Information for Home Football Games
Taste of Fairview Benefiting the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools
Red Ribbon Night at Allen Americans
Lovejoy Gifted Association Coding Event
Lovejoy Professional Network Charity Benefit Golf Tournament
Senior Project!
Boys Wrestling Camp
STEM Design Your World Conference for Girls
City of Lucas Farmers Market
Engage Collin County Music Festival
Buddy Walk
Senior Project!
Girls Wrestling Camp
Lovejoy Student Council Veterans Day Banquet
Men’s Tailgate Party and Cornhole Tournament
Benfiting the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools
Senior Project!
Running Over Depression
Safety and Security Training
Leopard Baseball Buddy League
Lovejoy High School Cheer Fundraiser
Holiday Poinsettias for Sale
Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bell Run
Turn Lucas Green
News from Collin College
For the latest Athletic News, download the "Lovejoy Leopards Athletics" app.
For the latest Fine Arts News, follow
@LovejoyArts on Twitter, or like them on Facebook at Lovejoy Arts.
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Our Varsity Volleyball team will take on Princeton at 5:30 this afternoon at Lovejoy High School, while Varsity Football will compete at 7:00 PM at Lake Dallas. I am looking forward to seeing our Leopard fans as we cheer for our athletes.
The Lovejoy High School Band and Color Guard move to the Area round of competition tomorrow in Little Elm. The competition will begin at 1:15 PM with finals scheduled at 7:00 PM.
Saturday evening the Taste of Fairview will be held at Heritage Ranch. This great community event will benefit the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools.
We wish you and your family the very best for a safe and happy weekend. We can’t wait to welcome our students and staff back to school on Monday!
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Michael Goddard, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Lovejoy Independent School District
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Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
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