We asked some of the brightest folks from within the community to reflect back on their days in school and to share with us a story of when they learned a particularly important or impactful lesson. We’ve shared highlights below.

Carol Sue Witt

There have been many valuable lessons learned along my 50 year journey with watercolor painting. Starting with college: studying the Masters, learning the elements of design and color theory, the properties of pigments, and utilizing tools and techniques.. Read more>>

Nick Garcia

I graduated from a high school in the Rio Grande Valley that a Johns Hopkins study would later label a “dropout factory.” I was lucky to be tracked into “advanced” courses, lucky to have had parents who attended college themselves, and luckier still to have had teachers who challenged and believed in me. Read more>>

Dr. ReBecca Heckl

The most important lesson I learned while earning my doctoral degrees is persistence and passion. In grad school, there is an element of motivation where one must stay on track and dedicated, yet we are all aware that motivation comes, and goes, in many forms. Read more>>

Julian Ward

When I was in the 5th grade my English teacher by the name of Mr. Farmer had us do a writing lesson after we had just read the book “The Outsiders”. Mr. Farmer directed us to take out a pencil and paper, and then told us to write about everything you’re angry about, who you’re angry with, your flaws, your heartaches etc.. Read more>>