Dropped Linda off at Raleigh Durham Airport and made it three of the four hours in route to Alleghany High School. Not sure if that level of effort will wake me up or make a nap more desirable ???.

I wanted to say Thank You to Mr Thompson for his willingness to allow my efforts over the past four years.

The only reason that I have an understanding of what is required from a Principal is that my oldest Brother fought that fight for many, many years. As I was trying hard to raise my Kiddos I was often explaining to them that its not job to be their friend, its my job to protect them and try to teach them right from wrong. Add in trying to lay out the best path for them to succeed as adults to the list. Even today, I’m not sure how much my Children (Ages early 30’s to 44) like me?

But I do know that combined to earn six College degrees, have wonderful jobs / careers and collectively have 9 Kiddos of their own. I don’t see any of them as much as I would like but you can’t have everything. So, So Proud of how they all turned out.

It’s not Mr. Thompsons (‘) job to get people to like him, nor should it be. The man 👨 is responsible for everyone who walks 🚶‍♂️ through the doors 🚪 there on The Hill. Students, Teachers, Administration and Staff across the Board. Whole Lotta tough decisions to make every day and like the rest of the World 🌎, 50% of the people out there are locked and loaded to tell you that you’re wrong.

It strange to me, like getting on a Flight ✈️ and pulling against the Pilot???

Please know that I respect and appreciate 🙏 EVERYTHING about Principal Thompson. When I showed up four years ago, with no ties whatsoever to Carroll County, it was his responsibility to protect his space.

Truth is, I would have been disappointed in him if he hadn’t. Once he realized that I wasn’t trying to sell him a Condo in Boca Raton (Casey Burcham bought the last two), Mr Thompson did his best to tolerate an outsider that just wanted to do the same thing he is tasked in doing – watch out for EVERY student that attends the School.

The beauty in having my own space to shower people with support and encouragement is this, if you’re opinion is different than mine I still control the narrative. Want to spit hate or disrespect at people, you can do that on Social Media but not here.

Wouldn’t it be crazy to think about a site that does nothing but encourage and support the Locals ? I hope 🙏 people realize that was the goal and I’m at peace with my efforts.

Time to wrap it up now before I take my Nap in the Gym. Let’s end it with a Top Ten list of reasons how Mr. Thompson and I are similar….

Drum Roll Please :

10. We have both been through a life of Medical 🚑 challenges and are still here by the Grace of God.

9. We both want what’s best for as many children as we can influence.

8. At our Banquet last year we both spoke praise towards people we have mutual ❤ Love and Respect for.

7. We both like Mr. Kevin DeHaven and are trying to support him in every way possible.

6. We both understand that the School Superintendent has more responsibilities than most folks can fathom.

5. Macie Adkins and Emma Leath.

4. The amount of Appreciation that we have for Rick and Donna Nester.

3. Card carrying members of the We Love Tammy Quesenberry Fan Club.

2. Our Love 💘 for Duke University, medical 🚑 and otherwise.

#1 – Kris Richardson. He’s my Friend and Mr Thompson has a Home for him to share his Love for the game of Basketball 🏀 with our Youth.

Thank You David Letterman for making the Top Ten List such a part of my repertoire !

That last hour isn’t going to drive itself…..

Good Morning 🙏,

First piece of Business on Day 1 of the Closeout week is to share the thoughts of Maleah Neely on Miss Corrie Delp.

Corrie has had a rough start to the season. Looking forward to taking over in the middle from our two all district middles last year, Corrie was poised for a breakout year, but that ended with a rolled ankle. She has gone through a wheel chair, crutches, a walking boot, physical therapy, and now an ankle brace that will be her best friend for a little while.

She could have easily let her broken ankle derail her and slow her down, but it has not. Corrie has been in the gym for practices and games, and she has been an asset to helping me keep stats.

She is continuing to work through some mental blocks from the injury, and she played very well the other night against Radford. We were not sure if she would be able to make it back this season, but she has surprised everyone by getting some play time in a couple games.

Corrie has fought every step of the way, and her hardheadedness has led
her back to the court in record time. While I am sad for what her season could have been, I am excited for what is to come. She is a phenomenal athlete, and I know she’s looking forward to getting back on the track and the sand pit in the spring.

Corrie is a light that just so happens to shine brightest on the track – one I look forward to seeing this spring.

____________________________

Yes, I will go back and add that to the Player Profile we did for Corrie and the other 12 players. I also want to say THANK YOU 🙏 one more time, publicly to our Assistant Volleyball 🏐 Coach for being the Anchor ⚓for us in creating the 13 Profiles.

It was fun to do and it was clearly done for the Mothers 👩. If some of the Fathers 👨 enjoyed it as well, Bonus ! Maleah took the time to pen 🖊 a personal message from the Heart ❤ 13 times, 14 if you add in the one we were doing on Kaylee Bunn.

She goes about writing ✍ in the same manner that I do. It’s from the Heart ❤ and carries some meaning with it, or atleast it is intended 2.

_______________________________

6:00 pm tonight will be the First Serve up in the Highlands. Carroll County High School earned the #4 seed in the Three Rivers District this season. CCHS (12-9, 7-5) landed in the middle of a Top Heavy District.

Glenvar, Floyd County and Patrick County each finished below the Lady 👩 Cavaliers. We went 6-0 against the three teams, winning each match in what would be considered winnable contests.

Alleghany (11-1), James River (9-3) and Radford (9-3) each finished above us and we went 1-5 in those matches. The crazy thing is that the one win was the only Loss for Alleghany. It took place during Week 1 of District play.

Saturday afternoon, Lin and I watched the Wisconsin versus Purdue Volleyball 🏐 match on television. Two top 10 programs duking it out in front of 14,800+ fans and playing at an extremely high level.

Sunday afternoon we went inside Cameron Indoor Stadium and watched Duke University host Florida State University. Duke is good but not great and there was little doubt we would fall 3-0 against a talented Seminole team. Being in the Gym, watching 👀 a sport you enjoy while supporting a School 🏫 that is near and dear to you, is a great day!

Monday evening, Lin will be in Atlanta while I watch our Lady Cavaliers play the 20-3 Cougars. You could take the same verbiage from Duke – FSU and apply it here. Carroll County is playing in the Final Four of District play in a season that I didn’t think we would qualify for. The fact that we are playing tonight is a testament to Coach Cindy Edwards and the young ladies that follow her lead.

David has a few rocks and a sling shot……..

If the Lady 👩 Cavaliers were to sneak past the Cougars tonight, they would face the winner 🏆 of Radford @ James River on Wednesday night on the road. This one will be for the Championship of the TRD.

Wednesday night 🌙 for me will have Volleyball 🏐 in it for sure as that night has been circled on my calendar 📅 for a while now. Lady Cavalier Alum versus Lady Cavalier Alum over at Ferrum. Madison Stockner versus Kalee Bunn for the 3rd time.

There’s a small part of me that wants Coach Edwards to be sitting next to me in the Bleachers on Wednesday but just a small part. The majority of me hopes she has her own Volleyball 🏐 match to attend.

There you have it – Maleah Neely is Awesome, but we knew that.

Corrie Delp is Awesome, but we knew that.

Coach Edwards = overachiever this season…. maybe not quite as obvious to all.

Alleghany is a long way away, we all definitely KNOW that.

Wednesday night 🌙 in Ferrum should be Fun !

It’s time to get ready for the drive 🚗 over to RDU to drop Lin off for her flight ✈️, so its time to say, Have a Blessed Day !!!