"The Power of Youth"

I always tell my kids - if a teacher ever offers extra credit for something - DO IT! It's like free money! Well, Kristen's English teacher Mrs. Haines offered her students a chance to replace their lowest assignment grade if they participated in an essay contest sponsored by the local Fort Smith Optimist Club (civic organization that supports community, youth services, etc.) The theme was "The Power of Youth". Of course Kristen never backs away from extra credit, so she decided to write something about the "Little Rock Nine" - it was the first thing that came to her when thinking about youth having a powerful influence (and boy did they!). A few weeks went by and we were notified that she came in 2nd place - wow! The first place winner was also from Chaffin, so Mrs. Haines was elated! Kristen was then asked to read the essay at their next luncheon and was awarded a medal and a NICE check - she was so excited! Of course, Dad and I are proud... here's some pics from the day:

Reading her essay (a little nervous, but she did great!)

Principal Mr. Marshell, Aaron (first place winner), Kristen, and Mrs. Haines

Award presentation

Proud us ♥

Football and role-models...

Big college championship game last night! Lots of cheers for the victorious SEC Florida Gators around this household! Yesterday Russ sent an email to Clay (12) to read and think about. It was an article written about Florida quarterback Tim Tebow and his perspective on sports and life. I loved it and just had to share an excerpt...

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"And special, too. His "Superman" nickname doesn't do justice to Tebow, whose off-field actions dwarf his extraordinary on-field feats. This is a guy who goes on mission trips to the Philippines on spring break while peers are on a mission to get loaded in Daytona Beach.

"He's one of those guys that's primo," Florida free safety Major Wright says. "He does everything right. He's one of those guys that's just a leader on and off the field. He helps you on and off the field. … He kind of leads the Bible study, study groups, anything. Tebow is that guy."

That's just who Tebow is. A living, breathing, real-life role model who really cares for something bigger than himself. What a novel idea. Charles Barkley has to hate this guy.

Tebow knows the visible platform that his athletic skills have given him. Now, it's up to us to be like Tebow and grasp at least some of the selfless attitudes that dominate his life. Stuff like we aren't on this planet to see how many fancy cars we can drive, how big of a house we can buy or how much money we can make. In the end, it's Tebow's good deeds off the field that will be his legacy. But it's his funky jump touchdown passes and bulldozing runs that will have us mesmerized Thursday night.

No doubt, Stoops' defense has cooked up some special schemes not to stop Tebow – that can't be done – but to try to neutralize him. There will be confounding blitzes from unexpected places, pass coverages dressed in disguise that aim to confuse.

Can Tebow feel the pressure?

"Pressure is not having to win a football game; pressure is having to find your next meal," Tebow says. "From being in a lot of places that I've been with my dad and on mission trips, you kind of find out what true pressure is and what just is a game. Even though we love it so much, football is still just a game.

"A lot of people bleed over it and love it, and I'm one of those people. But at the end of the day, I know what's more important, and football is not more important than life and pressure is definitely not football. So I think when you can put that in perspective, I think it really gives you a much better outlook."

And it gives us a whole lot to watch – and remember. For that, we thank you, Tim Tebow."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I hope my sports-crazed son took a note or two...