What can we learn from the Mt. Rushmore Project this year?

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.