Page 3 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2017- Online Magazine

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Recently our family had the letter
opportunity to travel to New York
City and Philadelphia, because our
oldest daughter was performing in a from
National Children’s Choir. We took
advantage of the trip and scheduled the
a few extra days so our family could
enjoy some history and sight-seeing. publisher

We saw the 911 Memorial and
the Statue of Liberty in NYC and
Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell and many other places
in Philly. What an amazing trip! It was powerfully meaningful
as our girls were exposed to so many places they had only read
about in history books. Getting to hear the stories from survivors
of 9/11 made that tragic event real to all of us. Hearing stories
and watching reenactments of historical events at Independence
Hall shed light on the Declaration of Independence.

The take away as it relates to Senior Link magazine is a
confirmation to me of how important stories are. The real life
stories of our neighbors and friends are valuable, too. The history
of those who have impacted our own community needs to be
told. If someone has had a positive influence on lives, we owe them the honor of establishing their
legacy. And as we set out to do that, we receive the blessing of having those stories come to life. The
heroes become authentic. We all benefit when we recognize greatness in our midst.

In light of that, we have focused a majority of this issue on the lives of several educators from Lubbock.
Since they have poured their hearts and lives into us and our families, their important stories need to
be told. Dr. E.C. Leslie began his career in Lubbock in 1956, so I know he had to have taught some of
you. Carroll Lockett and Marilyn Garrett impacted the lives of thousands of Lubbock Elementary and
High School students. Ershel Bird, James Starkey and Art Karger influenced countless students in Anton,
Slaton and Lovington NM. Not only did they present to us Math and English, History and Science, athletic
and leadership skills, but in the process, they planted seeds to help us grow and mature with conviction
and direction in our own lives. They instilled values and character that are better “caught than taught”
from a teacher who cares. A little piece of them is ingrained in each student in whom they invested, and
how blessed are we to have them among us.

We hope you enjoy this special Education edition of the magazine. Summer is here, which will surely
mean more time for you to enjoy the love and laughter of kids, grandkids, neighbors and friends. Treat
a child to an ice cream float, reminding them of your own youth and reminiscing about time with your
grandparents. As it turns out, you are an educator yourself. You have something to teach, and someone
has something to learn that only you can show them. Determine to share the precious stories of those
who invested in your life to make you the unique individual you are. As youngsters (and others) hear
your stories, I can’t help but believe that your words will become seeds that grow and bear fruit in their
own lives.

Erin Agee

{ Thank you for those who have written in this edition, for sharing your knowledge {

and stories and helping to Link us. And thank you to the advertisers who make
this magazine a reality. Without all of you this would not be possible.