Home > Wendy Does Waco > Archives > 2009 > May > 20 > Entry
Good characters
Chris Borland is a class act. He’s the secondary school principal at Bosqueville school district who was laid off Tuesday night, a move caused by the district’s major financial woes.
He was sitting at the table when the vote was taken to end his employment and as soon as the meeting was adjourned, microphones and TV cameras were shoved in his face. One TV personality talked over the other to ask Borland questions like, wasn’t he mad, did he have any anger with the decision, what’s he going to do now.
Borland, 35, young for his position, was graciousness incarnate. He entertained the cameras and the questions without frustration. I approached him, after the soundbytes had been gathered, just to wish him good luck and tell him how he impressed me and how I wished I had had the opportunity to work with him on a story.
Cynical and jaded are two of my best qualities. After nearly 10 years in this business and on the education beat, I’ve seen so much of the same thing. Educators who speak in cliches, using words like “engage” until they have ceased to have any meaning to me.
But I think my shrewdness has also left me with a feel for people with plain old good character. I wish I could list them all here, but I feel like that would not be appropriate for me, the news writer. I’ll just say there are definitely some characters … and people of good character, in the Waco area. Borland is one of those.
I invite you to comment and tell me who you think is one of our community’s good characters. Gushing is fine. But if you bash by name (totally not the spirit of this post) I will be forced to curse you with destructive elves in your garden and 7 years of bad breath ;) You’ve been warned, my friendies.
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By dee
May 21, 2009 6:58 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
How about Ina Aurora (after aurora borealis) and Viola Mae, two grandparents of the early 1900s. Then there’s the governor of TX daughters named Ima Hogg and Youra Hogg…poor things!
By KDF
May 21, 2009 8:04 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Frank Fallon. A great man, a great father, a great Christian. Faults, yes. Bigness, non-comparable. Oh yeah, and a great sports announcer!! R.I.P.. <><
By fan favorite
May 21, 2009 10:06 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Mark Waggoner, the head football coach and AD at Reicher Catholic High School. Not only is he a winner on the football field but he is well respected by the students and the parents. He is a leader by example both on and off the field. There are parents that have kids that graduated years ago that still come back to be a part of the Reicher program because of Coach Waggoner. He is the BEST….
By Pauline
May 21, 2009 5:31 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
I agree with fan favorite. I must also commend Dr. Kevin Casperson, former principal of Reicher. When I attended, I hated being there, and didn’t care much for him, but man did he make good changes to the school. He kissed all the right butts and got the school a new gym, theatre, and chapel. He gave a lot for his school, kudos!
By KDF
May 23, 2009 4:46 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
I am a little amazed that there are not more men and women of higher standards out there. If anyone has someone to hold high, now is the time!!! <><
By El Diablo
May 23, 2009 9:32 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Like Steve Martin once said, “I think we should put women on a pedestal…high enough that….”
Well there goes MY nomination for Dude With Character.
By just me
May 28, 2009 4:39 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Can I “third” Mark Waggoner? :) I have a kid at Reicher who doesn’t even play sports and Coach Waggoner treats him with respect and dignity. He’s an inspiration to everyone, and truly a man of great character.
By El Diablo
May 31, 2009 10:06 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
What a shame. Nobody can come up with even a short list of people with strong character?
Reminds me of a joke — Why wasn’t Jesus born at Baylor? (A: They couldn’t find 3 wise men and a virgin.)