Dear Wonderful Lovejoy Community:
Have you ever had one of those days that when you think of it, it always makes you smile?
I have been so fortunate to have many, but I remember one vividly. It was February 2, 1989 - Allen High School. I got all dressed up for an early morning appearance; I even took a memento from my great-grandfather and placed it in my pocket, somehow symbolically wanting this event to represent something much bigger. It was the National Letter of Intent day for all college football signees. I had decided to sign a full scholarship to Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA). It was a dream come true.
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In my mind, the next step after a glorious college career had to be the NFL.
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For the majority of my four years at SFA, I started at quarterback and saw a national championship year, a playoff appearance, and a couple of ugly years in between. Well, many realities hit deeply and quickly once my fairly successful career at SFA wrapped up. It had all looked so promising.
I had opportunities for try-outs and none of them came to fruition. There was a deep reality that hit hard. It takes something beyond "pretty dang good" to make it in the NFL. That lesson in life remains a tough pill to swallow, but as the years pass it has helped me tremendously. But not, however, without a little life coaching.
Still to this day I try to figure out how my 49-year-old body could still make it in the NFL. Part of me is convinced that I’m as good as I was back in the golden playing days, not realizing the weight may be there, but has shifted to different places. No agent has called, no team is begging for me to come out. There are just some things that are not going to happen. I must guard myself against unrealistic thinking.
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Now, I recognize this is an extreme example to make a point, but we all do this to some extent. At times we transfer this same characteristic to our kids or those we influence. In several aspects of life I often want to think the best and overlook the negative: physically, emotionally, athletically, in all areas. I have to guard myself from that natural bent. I recently read about four practices which help me with this:
1) Admit my weakness - I must confess to others that I can be unrealistic. You cannot define reality if you cannot face reality.
2) Embrace Realistic People - I like having people around me who are just like me. We all do. But in order to lead well, I must be able to have those around who help me to be strong where I am weak. My wife Dena is a great example of this.
3) Ask for Honesty from Others - This is a tough one, because it makes you so vulnerable. If I surround myself with people who will always agree with me or not give me honest feedback, what kind of person will I become? - A Stagnate One. Sometimes we don't want to hear the truth even though we need to.
4) Invite "Fresh Eyes" to check me out - It is amazing what you don't see when you are in a familiar environment. I call these people life consultants. They are like gold.
(Maxwell, 2008)
John Maxwell says,
"Defining reality is the starting point for good leadership. It is like finding the 'You Are Here' on the map before trying to get where you are going." Jim Collins, in his book Good to Great, also points out that those who lead must face realities and make changes accordingly.
" You absolutely cannot make a series of good decisions without first confronting the brutal facts."
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What an example we can be for our kids and those we influence as we learn to face reality and progress forward. All too often we say to them, "You can accomplish anything if you set your mind to it." I agree, partially. How many 5’ 3” defensive linemen have played for the Cowboys? None. That does not mean reality can hinder a life full of other possibilities; sometimes realities must be faced before you can set targets to accomplish those dreams.
We spend too many hours complaining about what we don’t have, what we look like now or comparing ourselves to others. I wonder what could really happen in our lives if we saw ourselves in the way that the man upstairs intended for us to see ourselves - A Unique Gift that has the choice to make an impact.
That day I signed the scholarship was a dream come true for me. Although, in other areas of my life some dreams did not work out, I always felt confident that there was a reason and I was called to something bigger. Maybe you were too, and can talk to those you influence on how important reality can become and how sweet it can be.
Often times, we are called to something much greater than we ever anticipated or dreamed…
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We’ve reached the end of the 1st six weeks and the 90 day mark of me officially being back as a Leopard. We have enjoyed an incredible start to the 2019-2020 school year! Simply said…I love Lovejoy! I love our kids, staff, teachers, administrators, community and the possibilities of what lies ahead for us collectively as members of the Lovejoy family. This is an incredible place, with incredible people.
We will be working in the days, months and years ahead to capture and secure the very values upon which we were established. We will continue to strengthen our community connections and take advantage of the opportunity to not only be a lighthouse in our area and state for our student experiences, but the nation and world.
I cannot wait for each new day to come, because it presents new opportunities to grow and develop.
We have only just begun…
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It’s always great to visit our Sloan Creek champions! They have the best smiles and hearts.
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My lunch buddies at Lovejoy High School…I am so proud of them all. They are incredibly kind hearted, spirited and energetic Leopards!
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Lovejoy Cross Country hosted the Annual Lovejoy Cross Country Fall Festival at Myers Park on Saturday. The event was full of Leopard success! I am so proud of these athletes.
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Congratulations to the Lovejoy High School Drumline for their 6th place finish in the Plano Drumline Competition on Saturday. They were considered in the captions of Most Outstanding Snareline, Bassline, Tenorline, and Front Ensemble.
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On Monday I met with the Lovejoy GT Association Board. I loved getting to spend some time with them.
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It’s always great to connect with our team members. These folks are true difference makers in Lovejoy. Their smiles, joy and personal connections make a real difference in Lovejoy!
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These smiles…we were ready to Hulk “Smash” Tuesday!
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I am incredibly proud of our students recognized as 2020 National Merit Scholars. Earlier this week the high school hosted a congratulatory breakfast in their honor. Please see the Student Recognitions section for additional information.
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Hart Elementary Grandparents Day was an awesome chance to connect with some incredible grandparents, and the kids were over the moon to have lunch with them.
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I loved watching our Willow Springs Middle School Leopards perform and compete!
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I was deeply encouraged by the hearts of these and other students who took time to encourage and lift up their fellow classmates, schools, staff, teachers, administrators and country. Our future is bright!
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I had a wonderful time teaching the Principles of Education and Ready, Set, Teach Classes at Lovejoy High School. It was so awesome to be with them and to work with them on following their passion, discovering their interests and greatest opportunity for impact. They are incredible kids!
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We have an amazing Business and Employee Support Team, and they spent time with our administrators and budget managers this week to ensure we were all on the same page when it comes to budget and fiscal responsibility.
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We held our 1st High School Student and Superintendent Connection Council meeting. Between applications and recommendations by administrators, high school students are selected as candidates for this Council. The goal of the Council is to allow students an opportunity to develop in leadership, communication and connection to their school. Yesterday we worked together on school culture, school spirit and an assignment around the Graduate Profile. This group is phenomenal!
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Last night I enjoyed seeing our Lovejoy High School’s Theatre Arts performance of
You Can’t Take It With You. The cast and crew did an amazing job! Tickets are still available for the 7:00 PM performance on Saturday evening. I highly recommend it!
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Roy the Wrangler of Respect made a guest appearance at Lovejoy Elementary School this morning and loved celebrating these students who exhibit great character. All of the award recipients made Roy and his horse Nelly very proud. Roy even ran into our newest Board of Trustees Member, Barrett Owens.
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2020 National Merit Scholarship Program and National Hispanic Recognition Program
Lovejoy ISD is proud to announce 27 students have been recognized in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program. Over 1.5 million students took the 2018 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) last October and entered the National Merit Scholarship Program, a nationwide competition for recognition and awards conducted by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). The NMSC identified the 50,000 highest scores nationwide as commended scholars with 16,000 of those students identified as Semifinalists. The Semifinalists have an opportunity to continue in the Merit Scholarship competition and advance to Finalist by meeting a number of additional requirements. Furthermore, the National Hispanic Recognition Program recognizes approximately 7,000 academically outstanding Hispanic/Latino high school juniors who achieve the required PSAT/NMSQT cut score for their region and meet additional requirements to include a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Congratulations to Lovejoy High School National Merit Semi-Finalists:
Brendan Dunleavy
William Guo
Shalin Mehta
Arianne Ohman
Collin Thomson
Stephanie Zhou
Congratulations to Lovejoy High School National Merit Commended Scholars:
Jacob Bluestein
Jacklyn Carroll
Kelsey Carroll
Nikith Dodda
Stephen Godfrey
Grant Gueller
Liliana Hager
Blake Hinton
Kyra Jacobs
Emma Johnson
Kira Johnson
Claire McLaren
Samir Mehta
Olivia Porsch
Melody Quintero
Hudson Samuels
Crystal Sanders
Hasif Shaikh
Carol Xu
Abigail Xue
Nathan York
Congratulations to Lovejoy High School National Hispanic Recognition Scholars:
Paula Delfin
Alexandria LeFort
Cade Muizers
Aidan Turnbow
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Leopard Spotlight Named National Pacemaker Finalist
Congratulations to Lovejoy High School’s
Leopard Spotlight for being named a finalist in the National Scholastic Press Association’s (NSPA) annual Pacemaker Award competition for broadcast news shows. The Pacemaker is the association’s preeminent award which recognizes the best broadcast programs in the nation. Leopard Spotlight was one of fifteen programs in the nation to be named a finalist and will be considered as one of eight programs to be named winners.
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Leopard Spotlight members include:
Jackie Carroll
Chaney Kelly
Anna Elizabeth Smith
Shivani Radhakrishnan
Lee Kinnebrew
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Four LHS Students Named to Congressional Youth Advisory Council
Congratulations to Lovejoy High School students
Sierra Rodriguez
,
John Stevens
,
Tajvir Singh
and
Alison Johnson
on their selection as a member of Congressman Van Taylor's Congressional Youth Advisory Council. Forty-five Collin County high school students were accepted into the program.
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LoJo Glow
Thursday, October 3
Mark your calendars and make plans to join us for the 1st Annual Black Light Community Pep Rally! Make plans to arrive early as seating is limited.
This is a free event hosted by the Lovejoy Cheer program. Donations to the Lovejoy Cheer program are welcome.
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Please note: The Blacklight Pep Rally scheduled for October 4 will be held as scheduled at Lovejoy High School during school hours.
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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
2019-2020 PTA Reflections Contest – Look Within
Majestics Fundraiser
Homecoming Mums and Garters
On Sale at Lovejoy High School
Lovejoy Preschool PTA Open House
LLI 11th Annual Golf Tournament
This event brings all Athletic Booster Clubs together to raise funds to support Student Athletes across all Lovejoy Sports. We hope to see you there!
Pink Out Pep Rally and Football Game T-Shirts
Benefiting the Susan G. Komen Foundation
Lovejoy High School Band Fundraiser
Homecoming Blackout T-Shirts
Soccer Fundraiser
City of Lucas Farmers Market
Foundation for Lovejoy Schools Men’s Tailgate Party and Cornhole Tournament
Taste of Fairview Benefiting the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools
Lovejoy Professional Network Charity Benefit Golf Tournament
Running Over Depression
Leopard Baseball Buddy League
Mountain Bike Team
Lovejoy High School Cheer Fundraiser
Holiday Poinsettias for Sale
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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It’s going to be a great weekend for Leopard events. We’ll kickoff the weekend at 7:00 PM tonight with our football team competing against Denton Braswell. I hope to see you there as we support a wide variety of our students as they compete and perform under Friday Night Lights. Tomorrow morning our swim team will compete at the Frisco Invitational Swim Meet. Saturday afternoon brings the excitement of the LHS Band competing at Denton Collins Athletic Complex at 2:30 PM. If you haven’t had a chance to see
You Can’t Take It With
You, tickets are still available for the 7:00 PM performance on Saturday.
However you choose to support our Leopards this weekend, we hope your experiences are great! 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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