Superintendent's Report
Senior advice ...
Marvin Beaty

When I looked in the mirror the other day, I was counting fewer and fewer brown hairs in my head and more and more gray ones. I asked my wife, "Do I really look 45 years old?" She said, "No, but you used to." Well, since I'm officially feeling older than dirt I guess that entitles me to offer some advice to the graduating seniors of the class of 2007.

Approach each day as an adventure, work hard and keep your eye on the prize. No one has as much input on your future as you. Steer clear of those always looking for trouble and rumor mongerers. They always seem to find what they are looking for and it is seldom anything useful.

Be wary of those that profess to know it all. They simply aren't smart enough to know there is a lot out there they simply don't know. Never choose a spouse that can't get along with your family or you with theirs. Life is too short to fight all the time.

Spend time with your parents. They are smarter than you think and they are the only ones who will love you unconditionally the rest of your life. Be careful in making friends and associations. Those that constantly criticize others will eventually get around to making you a target. When you are made a target by the haters of the world just keep your mouth shut and prove them wrong by living an upright life. You won't get quick vindication but those of strong character and reputation realize that you don't get that way overnight.

Go to Sunday school and church. True wisdom is not found in the parking lot of a bar or in front of the Sunday morning sports reporters on ESPN. Know what is going on in the political world. It is you or your children who may be fighting in the next war. Speaking of children, you're not one anymore, life as a child for you has truly come to an end. That is not necessarily a bad thing, just different. What you do from this point forward counts for real. The world is actually keeping score.

What type of score you might ask? Credit score and college transcripts to name a couple. All of the silly stuff you have done in the past may have been cute but now the world doesn't view you as a kid anymore and they won't think it is cute. You have been asking for years to be treated as an adult; well, your wish has come true. For better or worse you are one of us now. A member of the adult force that is responsible for keeping the world moving in a progressive and orderly manner.

Congratulations!

On Friday you will perform a number of acts for the last time. You will close your school locker a final time, eat one last cafeteria meal, sit in a high school student's desk and take one last final exam. You will drive out of the parking lot one last time as a student and the next time you enter you will be an alumnus.

When you come to school next week or next month to visit, you will notice the world doesn't stop for you the way it once did. That is because we will have a brand new senior class to prepare for the walk you have just finished.

The impact of the steps you are taking will likely not hit you until you walk into the first football game this coming fall and realize you feel out of place. It has been years since some of you sat in the bleachers on Friday night or were not in the band playing the school song. People will ask how you are and what you are doing with a smile and then point to the kids on the field and in the band. And then you will realize something has truly changed.

But, don't despair, one thing has not changed and hopefully will never change. In your heart you are a Troup Tiger. And, if you desire you will always be a Troup Tiger. Yes, the maroon gets in your blood and you can't get it out. Wherever you go in the state or country you will find yourself checking the sports page or Internet to see how the Tigers did the night before in whatever contest they were engaged.

So for now, walk with pride and enjoy your last moments in the Tiger spotlight! You have worked hard and deserve all of the accolades and attention. Remember, you are always welcome in Troup ISD.