Paying it Forward: 'Go far, go together'
Scouting has taught me life skills like leadership, responsibility, perseverance, and resilience. "Teamwork, service, character,” enabling confidence and leadership from Scouting experiences.
Today’s title is my takeaway from the Americanism Luncheon, hosted by the Northwest Council of Scouting, November 14th.
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,” John Sharp, Texas A&M Chancellor and guest speaker, said at the event.
It’s hard to argue with a Boy Scout and Aggie with such extensive service to Texas.
Sharp has twenty years served in elected offices, first in the Texas House, followed up by terms in the Senate, the Railroad Commission and as Comptroller of Texas with his second term ending in 1998.
Since 2011, he has been the chancellor of the Texas A&M System, leading the largest system of higher education in the nation with a budget of $7.3 billion. Research and development investment exceeds $1billion annually.
The chancellor’s career results reflect the priniciple of, ‘go far, go together.’ Under his leadership, the system’s student body more than doubled to 157,000 students, and the Texas A&M System expanded significantly; additions include 11 campuses, and 8 state agencies.
Join me in congratulating Judge Janice Ralston Sons, the 2024 recipient of the award for Americanism.
During her distinguished 31-year career as Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1, she also educated judges, clerks and constables across the state. And Sons served our community as a board member on numerous boards, many in leadership roles.
Shanna Miller, of Troop 2, shared the impact Scouting has had on her. She was involved in scouting when her family life disintegrated.
She turned to Jessica Mitchell, her troop leader and her husband Michael, an eagle scout. They stepped up, first as foster parents, Shanna said, and now they are her forever parents.
“Scouting has taught me life skills like leadership, responsibility, perseverance, and resilience. Skills that helped me navigate the complexities of foster care and empowered me to take control of my own life,” Miller said.
Think about the reach each of these three individuals have -- not only their direct influence but leveraged through those influenced who go on to lead others.
“Teamwork, service, character,” enabling confidence and leadership from the structure of Scouting, noted Chancellor John Sharp.
Each of us makes a difference, influencing people every day.
Published Wichita Falls Times Record News, Trends section, Sunday December 1, 2024.
Jack Browne is a community volunteer and former technology sales and marketing executive who worked 40 years at Motorola, MIPS Technologies and other companies. How are the children doing?