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Winters Express
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Finding what’s meaningful and true
By Donbald K. Sanders
I’ve been worried that with all of the weird stories that I have been sending to the Winters Express that I will soon end up in the “Criminals and Creeps” section of the Readers Digest. With this in mind, I came up with a brilliant idea: I will write about something meaningful and true for a change.
OK, I got to this point alright, but then I had to figure out what exactly is meaningful and true; certainly nothing I’ve ever written about before. I went into search mode. I searched all the way back to when I was seven years old and I could find only one thing that I could consider meaningful and true. In December of 1968 I volunteered to enter into the United States Army. I can’t write about that or I will definitely end up in anger management and I’d still show up in “Criminals and Creeps.”
Suddenly, like a bolt of lightning, it dawned on me that if I am to write about something meaningful and true, the subject of the article has to be someone other than me. I must look elsewhere. I went into search mode again. I began my search at home because that’s where I am. For a while now there has been a buzz around here about something that I know little about. My son Joey was working on his “Senior Project.” I tried talking with him about his project but have you ever tried to talk to a wall that is moving at the speed of light? It is not an easy thing to do.
Joey’s “Senior Project” was to put on a “Rock-A-Thon” for the benefit of the “Make-a-Wish” foundation. In truth, this project was quite an undertaking and he prepared for months, making phone calls, filling out applications to foundations, looking for a mentor for advice and guidance, and juggling everything to stay within the guidelines of both the high school and the Make-A Wish Foundation. Joey turned to the Catholic Church for a place to hold his Rock-A-Thon project, and they agreed to let him use St. Anthony’s Parish Hall at Main Street and Grant. The Catholic Church kindly consented to let Joey hold his Rock-A-Thon on the afternoon of April 12.
Joey also found a mentor in Troy Waldron, whom he has known for most of his high school life. I’ve never met the man, but I do know that he has been of invaluable service to my son and I thank him for that. I know it was not easy for him to undertake such a difficult and time-consuming quest. I only hope that he had a good pair of ear plugs because these kids really rock. I’m a bit jealous of Mr. Waldron because he gets to be the mentor and all I get is the “speed of light wall thingy.” Actually, I appreciate everything he does for this “Senior Project,” so rock on, Mr. Waldron, and thank you very much!
I like the whole idea of “Senior Projects” because it is something extraordinary. I gives the kids an opportunity to initiate and carry through with something that is bigger than themselves; something more worldly than they have ever experienced. We have Mr. Griffin, principal of Winters High School, to thank for all of this, for he brought the idea home to Winters after attending the California League of High School Officials Conference in 1995-1996.
The program was first implemented in 1999 and requires each participating student to spend 50 hours on an approved project that will result in a significant learning experience. In the past, students have gotten pilot’s licenses, learned to make quilts and put together photographic presentations. It doesn’t surprise me that my son chose a complex and difficult project to make a little money for charity, and I am so proud of him.
He had four bands lined up for the concert: Stenna and The Poison Apples, Vanity Shall Reap, Tripolar, and the Green River Band. All proceeds went to the “Make-A-Wish” foundation. So, in the end, I did find something good enough to be labeled “worthy and true” to write about, and I have found that it takes people that are worthy and true to make things like this happen.
One more thing: Thank you, Principal Griffin, for your insightful ability to recognize programs that are good and true, your efforts and hard work in behalf of our children, and for being the man that you are. You have the appreciation of the citizens of Winters, even if you did have to discipline half of our children.