From the desk of Celia Tucker, Academic Counselor:

You just have to tell them once.

“When you come down to breakfast at the Hampton Inn be sure you are dressed nicely with shoes on”…Brook Hill 9^th graders were spic and span.

“When you are walking on the college campuses be sure to show respect for the students and staff”…Brook Hill 9^th graders were mistaken for upper classmen.

“Take good care of the bus and keep it clean”…Brook Hill ninth graders had the bus so clean it looked like they had never even been on the bus.

“When we eat lunch on the college campuses use your manners”…Brook Hill 9^th graders were told to come back and eat any time.

What a wonderful trip we had exploring Dallas Baptist University, Texas Christian University, and Southern Methodist University. We got a feel for each one of the campuses as we walked through buildings, through dorm rooms, and looked into classrooms. Everything seemed to be going so well on the trip until we got to “The Main Event” where we had bowling contests, played Laser Tag, and challenged each other to Air Hockey. Okay, let’s talk about Air Hockey…or not. While waiting for the evening to almost be over I was standing by an Air Hockey table and looked up to see Ini on the other side. I said, “Let’s play”, thinking, of course, that with my wisdom and experience I would certainly be the victor. 7-2 later (his the higher score) I said, “Good game, Ini, and immediately started planning my training program to beat him the next time we played. Fast forward to the next morning when we were all downstairs in the Hampton Inn breakfast area and I heard Ini talking to others about his high score and my low score from the night before. “Ini”, I said, “Not everyone needs to know about how bad you beat me.” “Mrs. Tucker”, he said with confidence and self-assurance, “Speak TRUE.”

Oh, my word. The GUARD CHARGE.

You just have to tell them once.