We have excellent Pampa graduates on campus. Two of which are Randy Ray, Associate Lecturer of Mass Communication and Director of Broadcasting in the Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities, and Johnny Story, Emmy winner and broadcast engineer. They bring their quiet determination and Panhandle humility with them to work every day. These two and countless others from Pampa demonstrate the power of determination at work in their personal and professional lives. Gerald Ford, former Chairman of the SMU Board of Regents, and oil and gas magnate T. Boone Pickens also called Pampa home for a season. All, in various pursuits, reveal a deep sense of determination, a commitment to get things done and get them done well with humility. Boone, humble? There is a paper-thin line of distinction, often wrinkled, between humility and passivity. A hint of all of this presented itself at Pampa High representing a district of over 3,500 students. The Harvesters were a gracious audience. They filled up one side of the bleachers on the basketball court. Their polite attention was quietly commanding. But further, during the Q&A that followed, a maturity and depth of discussion that any high school leader would be proud to have from an audience of students emerged. Tanya Larkin, Pampa’s superintendent, also possesses a significant measure of the determination to do a job well and bring pride through service. She is a product of the Panhandle and of West Texas A&M University. Graduating from Shamrock High, she studied at WT then returned home to teach before eventually moving to Pampa, and becoming superintendent of Pampa ISD. Students cut from Pampa cloth are special. Determination, humility, respect for others while seeking to improve one’s station in life are traits taught and learned. The Harvesters get that at Pampa. WT counts it an advantage when they bring them to Canyon, Texas. Any university worth its salt would. A hint of all of this presented itself at Pampa High representing a district of over 3,500 students. The Harvesters were a gracious audience. They filled up one side of the bleachers on the basketball court. Their polite attention was quietly commanding. But further, during the Q&A that followed, a maturity and depth of discussion that any high school leader would be proud to have from an audience of students emerged.
When looking for a college, look for a place that values these values. In the end, it will be a good place to study.
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