During my annual Back to School Tour this year we have polled the participants to identify four worthy candidates for a Regional Mt. Rushmore. People were eligible if they were born in, or achieved fame, within the region.
This has been fun, but has revealed a widespread lack of historical perspective. Consider: in San Antonio there was no mention of Colonel Travis. In Houston, Whitney Houston got almost as many votes as Sam. Perhaps we need to remind the folks that the city was named for Sam, not Whitney. In Kilgore a country singer I have never heard of (Neil McCoy?) finished second in the balloting.
Here are the results:
SAN ANTONIO—REGION 20
Coach Popovich
Tim Duncan
David Robinson
George Strait
Comment: They do love the Spurs….
AUSTIN—REGION 13
LBJ
Barbara Jordan
Ann Richards
Willie Nelson
Comment: As you can see, people in the Austin area are more serious minded.
KILGORE—REGION 7
Earl Campbell
Neil McCoy
Lady Bird
Don Henley
Comment: Two musicians and a football star. But I’m not going to criticize the selection of the Tyler Rose. Hook ‘Em.
HOUSTON—HARRIS COUNTY DOE AND REGION 4
J.J. Watt
Mattress Mack
George H.W. Bush
Beyonce
Comment: Jose Altuve about to be the A.L. MVP and you go with a football player?
MIDLAND—REGION 18
George W. Bush
Laura Bush
Roy Orbison
Chris Kyle
Comment: Chris Kyle is the American Sniper guy. I’m sure you know the rest.
LUBBOCK—REGION 17
Buddy Holly (overall highest vote getter!)
Waylon Jennings
Spike Dykes
Sheryl Swoopes
Comment: Two musicians, which is appropriate given Lubbock’s strong heritage in music.
RICHARDSON/DALLAS—REGION 10
Tom Landry
George W. Bush
Ross Perot
Nolan Ryan
Comment: No musicians! This is the only Region where that happened.
FORT WORTH—REGION 11
Amon Carter
The Bass Brothers
Kelly Clarkson
Van Cliburn
Comment: And two votes for Keller ISD inhouse counsel, Amanda Bigbee!
Thanks to all who participated! If you have ideas for what the survey question should be at next year’s BTS, let me know!
DAWG BONE: IF WE DID THIS WITH 8TH GRADERS, WHO WOULD THEY VOTE FOR?
Tomorrow: St. Tammany Parish gives us a good cell phone case.