The 'it' factor:
If you want it, you've got to earn it

Vince Lombardi once said, "If you believe in yourself and have the courage, the determination, the dedication, the competitive drive, and if you are willing to sacrifice the little things in life and pay the price for the things that are worthwhile, it can be done." What a tremendous statement! The only question that we must ask ourselves is what is "it"?

"It" for you may not be "it" for me. We deal with a great number of "its" at Troup ISD. "It" may be a winning athletic season or a sweepstakes band. "It" may be a passing grade in science or a commended score on the TAKS test. However, "it" will probably be different for each one of our students and faculty members. Although there are many "its" at TISD, the greatest "it" of all is the culmination of all of our work, athletics, clubs and extracurricular activities when we see a child grow into a responsible adult. Nothing else comes close to the contributions we make in the growth of a young man or woman into a healthy, happy and welladjusted adult.

Dr. Jim Monaco once told me "all too often we don't know what we want, we are sure we don't have it." There is that word again, "it." Well I feel I can safely assume what "it" is we are hoping to achieve in the growth of a young man and woman at TISD: honesty, integrity, strong work ethic, intelligence, the ability to continually and actively learn. This is why we dote over the details at TISD. We make certain our students come and learn in a clean, safe and orderly environment. We regularly keep children after school for tutorials, not as punishment, but in order to achieve "it."

"It" is why our coaches make students run that do not perform responsibly in class, because it is only through a true integrated effort that we can achieve "it."

Don't get me wrong, achieving "it" requires a great degree of mental and sometimes physical toughness. Lombardi, characterized "it" this way, "Mental toughness is many things and rather difficult to explain. Its qualities are sacrifice and self-denial. Also, most importantly, it is combined with a perfectly disciplined will that refuses to give in. It's a state of mind -- you could call it character in action."

I want to invite you to join in our efforts to achieve "it." We cannot do "it" alone. It is only as a team using a combined effort that we can reach our goal of forging future quality community members for Troup, Texas, America and the world. Remember, you are always welcome at Troup ISD.