Published: March 27, 2009 09:09 pm      

EXPO: NC’s Sanchez offers advice at honor student breakfast

Dr. Richard Sanchez, president of Navarro College, offered the advice of a lifetime’s experience Wednesday when he addressed the honors students of the Navarro County Youth Expo.

When he graduated from high school, his plan was to go to work in the local lumber mill, he told the students.

“My parents didn’t focus on education,” he said. “We never had a book in the house.”

His plan to become a lumber grader was sidetracked because he listened to the woman who would become his wife, who advised him to go to college.

“I said ‘I’m just not smart enough,’” he told her.

She corrected him, and urged him to become a teacher.

“The best quality of a leader is listen to what people say,” he advised the students.

Sanchez predicted that the students in the honors group would be future leaders, and he offered them some advice on how to be good leaders, including seeking results, creating a vision, taking charge of things, loyalty, consistency, and acting responsibly.

“Don’t hold grudges,” he said. “Don’t lead through intimidation.”

Finally, he urged them to maintain a spiritual dimension. Even though Navarro College is a public college, Sanchez said he still gives the college’s glory to God, he said.

“You, as leaders, have to have a spiritual dimension,” he said. “If you don’t listen to what the good Lord is telling you about leading, then you might end up in the wrong place.”

David Waggoner, chairman of the honors breakfast, praised the students for their hard work in both academics and the Expo projects. The students, and their accomplishments, will be highlighted at the sale Saturday.

Honorees at the breakfast were Camey Metcalfe, 13, of Rice High School; Jake Wasinger, 16, Blooming Grove High School; Taylor Bailey, 12, Drane Intermediate; Jake Adair, 18, Blooming Grove High; Cody Carroll, 12, James Collins Catholic; Morgan Walther, 10, Dawson Elementary; Audra Springer, 14, Mildred High; Bonnie Mikula, 16, Jesus First for Higher Education (home school); Matt Porter, 18, Corsicana High; Denia Lyons, 18, Blooming Grove High; Kassie Kirby, 18, Blooming Grove high; Emily Lynch, 17, Mildred High; Emily East, 17, Blooming Grove High; Drew Whistler, 17, Blooming Grove High; Katie Yates, 11, Dawson Elementary; Brian Allen, 18, Dawson High; Kirby Jackson, 18, Kerens High; Shelbi Knisely, 17, Corsicana High; Janie Pugh, 13, home school; Christina Loscuito, 14, Kerens High; Krystal Jackson, 17, Frost High.

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