OPINION
It takes effort to truly make it worth being part of a community.
When I had the opportunity to cover the celebration of National Signing Day at Tioga High School on Feb. 5, I saw proof of that.
Each of the students were surrounded by their families, who have supported them and loved them as they earned the right to keep playing the sports they love at the next stage.
They spoke of the various coaches they’ve had along the way who have taught them and worked with them, and I got to see a coach who has since moved to a different district but who came back for the ceremony because he still cares.
Saturday, too, was a wonderful reminder of how good it feels to be part of a community.
My daughters and I went to the Pilot Point Local Stock Show. For someone who never participated in FFA myself, I love seeing the achievements of the kids in it.
It was also great to interact with members of the community, cheering the kids on side by side, and then the teachers, too, when they took to the arena.
When people care, you can tell.
That evening, we came back to Pilot Point to attend the Pilot Point Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet where several individuals, businesses and organizations were recognized for their impact on the community in 2024. We got to see Adam Smith of the Pilot Point Fire Department and Andy Biggs of the Pilot Point Police Department recognized for their service by the Lake Ray Roberts Rotary Club. We also saw the joy and gratitude on Susan and Chad Chance’s faces when they received the well-deserved Goodwill Ambassador Award.
We also got to celebrate when Meals on Wheels, Yearby’s Barbecue and the Martin General Store were honored for the way they serve Pilot Point.
I got to watch as Yearby’s owners C.J. and Sabrina Henley realized the description was of their award, and then again when the same excited realization came over Allison Martin of the Martin General Store.
It was sweet, too, to see Cindy Faris share the recognition for Meals on Wheels during that award, and then to watch people in the crowd embrace her as she made her way to the front for the Distinguished Citizen award.
When we help each other, the community improves.
How wonderful to have a front-row.
