celebrate education - brought to you by the amarillo globe-news
Best & Brightest recognizes the outstanding graduates of 2008. It features the valedictorians and salutatorians from area schools.

Learning to learn
Gregg Moreland
Age: 44
Occupation: Biology teacher and varsity boys basketball assistant at Palo Duro High School.

Where did you receive your education?
South Plains College in Levelland and Texas Tech University in Lubbock; Monterey High School in Lubbock.

How has your education played a role in your life today?
Since third grade my dream was to be a basketball coach. This would not have happened without a college education.

What was your greatest educational challenge and how did you overcome it?
The first day of genetics class at Tech, the professor announced that only pre-med students would pass, so everyone else should drop the course. I had to really buckle down and focus, but I passed.

What is the value of your education?
I get to do something I love. Everyday I get to work with children who I truly enjoy. I get to work with excellent administrators and teachers.

What would you say to someone who's undecided about continuing their education?
Do you want to earn minimum wage for the rest of your life? I would also tell them you cannot support a family on minimum wage earnings. College may not be for everyone, but get trained to something you enjoy so you can provide for yourself and a family.

When did you make education a priority?
My freshman year of college I knew that if I was going to make it, I would need to focus on academics.

What made you realize the importance of education in your life?
My parents stressed education. College was always the goal.

Did you ever think of quitting? What made you keep going?
uitting was never an option. I did not want to disappoint my parents.

calendar of events
  • January 13
    Celebrate Education Special Section
    Find out what Celebrate Education is all about in this special section in your Sunday paper.
  • January 14
    Kickoff event at Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts
    Join the partners at the Globe-News Center to formally kickoff the Celebrate Education program.
  • March 22
    Spelling Bee at West Texas A&M University
    The annual Regional Spelling Bee will feature the top spellers from the Panhandle. The winner will represent the area in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. in June.
  • April 3
    Amarillo Reads
    Community wide reading project that focuses on the importance of reading for people of all ages.
  • April 12
    What's a Kid to Do at the Amarillo Civic Center
    This event will focus on activities and camps for children to participate in during the summer..
  • May 17
    Best and Brightest at West Texas A&M University
    Luncheon recognizing valedictorians and salutatorians from high schools in the region. 20 other notable students will be honored for volunteerism and service.
  • May 9-29
    Beating the Odds
    A series of stories published daily in the Amarillo Globe-News during the graduation season that profiles people who have inspiring stories to tell about the degree they are about to receive.
  • Fall 2008
    Yes, You Can
    This event will being together information providers that will benefit persons seeking the next step in their education.
  • Fall 2008
    Discover College Day
    Every 5th grader from amarillo, Canyon, Bushland, Highland Park and River Road school districts will visit a college campus in our area to learn more about college and the careers that are available to those who get an education.
 
 
Copyright 2008 Amarillo Globe-News :: Amarillo.com