November 2009— 2009—Published OnOn-line Monthly Shawnee Mission Public Schools East Lancers 51 Years
Lancer Newsletter Shawnee Mission East High School www.smsd.org/schools/smeast
Inspiration from a 59-Year-Old Professional Golfer ever, there is a message in this story final hole, Tom had regained his onewhich can be inspiring to all of us as shot lead over the field as he had parents, regardless of our age. started the day. His drive off the 18th tee was nothing short of perfect We will begin by setting the stage. (center of the fairway) and as he The 59-year old golfer in question lofted the ball in the direction of the (many of you already know) is our green on his second shot, many felt own Kansas City native Tom Wat(including Tom as he later stated to son. In late July of this year at the the media) he was about to win the Professional Golf Association’s British Open. Unfortunately, the ball (PGA) British Open in Scotland (one hit in front of the green and shot Key Dates: of four major tournaments in the 11/5 9th/10th Grade College Planning world of professional golf) Tom al- across the grass surface and landed in the light rough behind the hole. for Students and Parents most pulled off the greatest feat in Catching an unfortunate break he the history of golf, or for than matter 11/10 LATE START 9:40am putted too far past the hole on his in professional sports. After three 11/12 College Connection 7-9pm third shot and fail to sink his par putt terrific opening rounds, Tom found 11/16 Winter Sports Begin (fourth shot) for the win. This left himself alone at the top of the leader 11/17 EARLY DISMISSAL 1:10pm Tom tied with Stewart Cink which board. Names such as Tiger Woods, 11/18 Parent/Principal Coffee 9am forced a 4-hole playoff. Fred Couples, and Kenny Perry 11/18 College Financial Aid Evening (along with other accomplished golf- In the playoff, Tom Watson did not 7-8pm ers, some less than half Tom’s age) play well and ultimately lost by six 11/20 Progress Reports Sent Home were no where to found. shots. At the news conference, Tom 11/23 Winter Sports Meet Coach Night did not point the blame at anyone or As the week began, and certainly 11/25-11/27 NO SCHOOL, Thanksgiving at anything for why he failed to win throughout the days that followed, the tournament during regulation. 12/1 LATE START 9:40am the media questioned whether or not No question he was heart-broken and 12/1 PTA General Membership Tom Watson at the age of 59 could upset as were all of us who watched Meeting 9am really compete with the youngsters at the sequence of shots on television. 12/17 Semester Exam Hour 1, a major golf tournament. In fact the For a lot of us this moment brought followed by hours 2-7 last time Tom won a major tournasome tears to our eyes. We all 12/18 Semester Exams Hours 2, 3 ment was 26 years earlier. wanted Tom to win. On the days Early Dismissal As the final round began on Sunday, following the tournament, Tom kept 12/21 Semester Exams Hours 4, 5 it appeared Tom would wilt under the loss in perspective. Early Dismissal the pressure and fade away like the 12/22 Semester Exams Hours 6, 7 In a story printed in the Kansas City other great names in the game. DeEarly Dismissal Star on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 spite some early disappointing holes, 12/23-1/1 NO SCHOOL, Winter Break Tom was grateful for the experience, Tom found a way to fight back into 1/4 SCHOOL RESUMES (Continued on page 2) contention. As he approached the Message from the Principal Some of you might be wondering from the title what kind of pertinent and relevant information can a message from the principal about a 50year old golfer have to do with education, let alone SME. The answer is really simple – there isn’t anything relevant to school or education; how-