1. This week kicks off Generation Texas Week. This is a week set aside by the state of Texas to focus on higher education and training for all students.

2. I always wanted to play volleyball at a Christian University. Originally I wanted to go to Harding in Arkansas, but when I visited ACU I knew it was my future home. I played volleyball 4 years there and received a Bachelor of Science degree in education with a specialization in reading. ACU was the perfect distance from home….I felt independent, yet home was close if I ever needed to go. My parents were able to enjoy most of my games as well. It was a wonderful 4 years; I wouldn’t trade them for anything. ACU is a beautiful campus and small enough I felt like an individual and not a number. The Professors were great, well not my History professor, but the rest were great. GO WILDCATS!

3. Year I graduated College: 2004 Christie D. Thompson Bachelor of Science and Interdisciplinary Studies Midwestern State University is located in beautiful Wichita Falls, TX., which is only about an hour and a half drive from Springtown. I attended MSU because of its location, its class sizes and its affordability. The university is well known for its soccer and basketball programs, and currently has one of the highest recognized nursing programs around.

4. I played on the tennis team for Tarleton State University. Choosing Tarleton proved to be a great decision as it was close enough to home so that my family would be able to come and watch me play. Tarleton provided a small town feel and small classes, which I loved. received a Bachelor of Science and Master in Education there and feel that Tarleton prepared me for my career as a teacher, coach, and counselor.

5. Bachelor of Business Administration Terri S. Massey Chemistry Master in the Art of Teaching – Science Education I chose both of these universities based on their online degree programs. This allowed me to complete my degrees while working fulltime and raising a family. Dallas Baptist University is well known for its baseball team. The University of Texas – Dallas is well known for its mathematics and science programs.

6. Kimberly Lund, SHS Counselor 9 th -12 th A-L I chose to attend Sam Houston State University in Huntsville because it was one of the best universities for Education. I graduated from SHSU with a Bachelor of Arts in Teaching in Elementary and Special Education in December of 1989. While I was at SHSU I participated in intramural sports and I graduated Cum Laude. I began my Masters of Education in Counseling in shortly thereafter. I chose Texas A&M at Prairie View because they had a great Masters program for Counseling and they offered most classes off campus in the Houston area that was close to where I worked and lived. I graduated with my Masters of Education in Counseling in May 1995. Sam Houston State University Texas A&M at Prairie View

7. I didn’t want to go too far from home, Plainview, so I attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock. I worked at the television and radio stations on campus, and got my Bachelor’s in Elementary Education. After I married and moved to Springtown I wanted my Master’s degree, and the University of Texas Arlington was perfect for me. My degree is in Literacy, which is Reading.

8. I attended Hardin Simmons University where I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree. I chose HSU because it was a small private university that afforded me many opportunities. I was able to work on the school newspaper, as well as travel with the communications program gaining invaluable experience. After graduating with my undergraduate degree, I attended Texas Christian University where I earned my Master of Science degree in the area of Communications. Both universities enhanced my love for the color purple!

9. Ms. Stephens: Educator, English/Debate/Professional Communication I was what is called a non-traditional college student. I had already attended St. Phillips Community College and received an Associates Degree in Hospitality. I didn’t realize that a community college would not get me where I needed in my career. I made a bold decision to further my education by moving from San Antonio to Stephenville in order to attend Tarleton. Tarleton has the reputation for producing the best teachers. I was raising three teenage daughters, working full time and attending college full time to become a teacher. I can be a witness to anyone that if you are determined you can do anything. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education, Communication, and English.

10. I chose Hardin-Simmons University because it is a small campus with a Christian atmosphere. They treat you like a family. I went to Hardin- Simmons on a basketball scholarship but my career was ended before the season actually started from a knee injury. I received a Bachelor of Education and have been teaching since 1982. My daughter is a SHS graduate that currently attends HSU. She is majoring in Sports Medicine. This program is the best accredited program around. GO COWBOYS!

11. I chose UCO to play football, and because it has one of the best schools of education in the area. It was the first “normal” school in Oklahoma. A “normal” school is the old fashion term for a teacher’s college. COACH HORNBACK

12. Ron Elston : I heartily enjoyed receiving my M.S. Ed in Sports Administration & Management from the University of Texas at Austin where I was fortunate to be Men's Assistant Tennis Coach at a time where we finished 5th in the nation as a team, and had the top ranked doubles team in the nation in 1985-86. This is also where my son, Jonathan, was born, literally on the day I was taking my very last exam from my favorite professor, Dr. Ed Coyle, who claims he still has my exam from that day. Ed had allowed me to take my open exam with me to the hospital, and all over the margins to that exam I included exciting updates of what was going on at the hospital as the birth of my son was unfolding all around me. Ed said that exam will be a keeper, not just because I knocked the top out of it, but because he will probably never have an exam turned in quite like that again, and thoroughly enjoyed my included side commentary of my son's birth shared on it. Every coach in Texas to this day gets to see a little bit from Ed every year as he has been featured in a segment all coaches are required to view each year to renew their yearly coaching educational requirements.

13. University of North Texas Ms. Benton I chose UNT because it was close to home, but I ended up falling in love with the campus and the city of Denton. The have great staff in their French department and they also have a phenomenal education program if you’re interested in teaching!

14. There's a Spirit can ne'er be told..." Ms. Grant

15. "Give me an army of West Point graduates and I'll win a battle. Give me a handful of Texas Aggies and I'll win a war!" Gen. George S. Patton, Jr. Texas A&M University has a unique school spirit that "From the outside looking in, you can't understand it. And from the inside looking out, you can't explain it.“ I chose A&M because of its rich tradition, small town feel, and the amazing AGGIE network!

16. Saskia Hornback I chose Tarleton because it has a small town feel and a great animal science program. At Tarleton I was a member of the Delta Zeta sorority and earned a Bachelors of Science and Masters in Biology.

17. Bridget Jeffryes Known for its School of Education & School of Business

18. The real reason I went to Tarleton is because I couldn’t afford to go to Texas A&M. I told myself that I would do two years there and transfer, however, I grew to love Tarleton and became very involved in a variety of things. I was a member of the Tarleton Texan Band, an officer and head twirler. I was involved in student government and a member of the Tarleton Senate. I played intramural sports, participated in hosting festivals, modeled for charity events, was involved in Theatrical productions, participated on the forensics team and made many friends. I was a member of the Geological Society and we would go spelunking, to digs, and do some mountain climbing. I loved going to school. I couldn’t go home often because I lived too far away so I worked and stayed involved in activities. I went on to get my BA with a double major in Speech and Science. I later received my Masters and completed some post graduate work.

19. Mr. Chris McLellan Director of Bands BM – Tarleton State University Currently enrolled at The University of Florida for Masters of Music Education Degree I chose Tarleton State University because it was close to home and I was able to receive a full scholarship in Music (Percussion). I liked the small college atmosphere and smaller student/teacher ratio. I feel like because of the smaller classes, I was able to participate in more music ensembles and have a broader experience. I chose The University of Florida because I can receive my Master’s degree entirely online and the faculty is world renown.

20. Brent Haugen When it comes to colleges and universities in Texas, I am a journeyman. I am proud to say I have been a part of four great programs. I started out at Texas Tech University as a Pre-Med. Major. After missing playing baseball, I transferred to Ranger College and played for a year. When I realized I would never make it any farther as player, I transferred back to Tech as a Junior. I THEN decided that I still wanted to be involved in sports, and the opportunity arose to become an athletic trainer at the University of North Texas. I received my BS in Kinesiology with Biology minor (thanks to all my Pre-Med. Classes at Tech). Most recently I completed my Masters in Educational Leadership from Stephen F. Austin. No student could go wrong with any of the schools I attended. I am proud to be a former student from ALL FOUR!

21. I attended Texas Wesleyan for 4 years and received my Bachelor of Science in Education. I participated in basketball, cheerleading, sorority, student government, yearbook editor and was class president. Wesleyan was the perfect college for me after graduating from a small high school and was where I met my husband, Gary Shaw who is the Chief Financial Officer for Springtown ISD. TAMMY SHAW

22. Leighann Strickland Bachelor of Science Exercise and Sports Studies 2003

23. Ms. Lang I completed my degree at UNT. I chose North Texas because it was a good school and close to home. I received a B.A. in History with a minor in Spanish. I loved the history department and had the chance to take electives in geology and archeology which led to other opportunities in those fields.

24. I started my college classes at Texas Tech University because it was close to home and the spirit there is amazing. I marched in the “Goin’ Band from Raiderland” as a Freshman at TTU. It was one of the greatest times of my life! After 2 years at TTU I decided to get married and start a family. My husband was part of the US Air Force and I had to move away from Lubbock. I earned an associate degree at Weatherford College in the science of Nursing. Nurse Roberts

25. I attended West Texas A&M University in Canyon. During my four years at WTAMU, I was a part of the Athletic Training Program through which I earned a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training. I selected WTAMU because it is a smaller university that still offers a variety of educational opportunities. Later I earned a Masters in Secondary Education from Texas State University in San Marcos. This university was great because it is has a small school feel while still being located in between Austin and San Antonio. Sarah McMurry

28. Bachelor of Arts – Spanish Minor – Music University of Texas at Arlington Luis Ortega |Spanish I

29. Southwestern Oklahoma State University is located in Weatherford, Oklahoma. They have an outstanding Pharmacy School and School of Education. They have small classes, and great professors!

30. Southwestern Oklahoma State University I chose SWOSU because they had one of the best Pharmacy Schools in the nation. Unfortunately, Organic Chemistry made me realize that being a Pharmacist was not going to happen. So I changed to Health Care Administration. I graduated from SWOSU in December 2000 with a Bachelors of Science in Health Care Administration. Wayland Baptist University I chose WBU to pursue my Master’s Degree in Human Resources because I wanted to advance in my career as an executive. WBU – Lubbock was the easiest choice for me to continue my education while also working towards my MBA. Cory Gilley

31. Kristina Supercinski SHS Art Bachelor of Fine Arts - Painting

32. Thad Williams CTE Teacher Associate in ArtsBachelor of Science

34. College Fair October 23, 2014

40. Mrs. Strickland and her PAL students were wonderful assisting in the College Fair. They welcomed our guests, put up tables and chairs, and cleaned up the gym afterwards. We love our PALS!!!

41. Mrs. Hulme and her Culinary Arts class did an amazing job showcasing their skills for our College Representative guests.

42. Our guests were given first class treatment from Mrs. Hulme’s Culinary Arts class.

43. Education: Go Get It!!!!