Drippin’ Life
I was in Houston this past week to make a presentation at a conference. Afterwards, one of the seminar attendees notice my name tag – which gave my name and my hometown.
“My kids just moved to Dripping Springs,” he said. “Think they’ve found their forever home there.”
“They’ll love it. It’s the most united, most pleasantly energetic and sharing community in Texas…and when a group or an individual sees a need, everybody – regardless of political party, race, religion, etc. -- pitches in to help,” I said. “Churches work together, clubs work together, even the school district supports community projects.”
The gentleman seemed pleased to hear my report… and in my small way, I was spreading the word about an amazing place to live. I was an ambassador.
The more I thought about it, the more I could think of ways the Dripping Spring brand is visible in other parts of Texas, even other parts of the country.
Here’s a great example: This past week, the Dripping Springs Educational Foundation held one of its major fundraisers of the year – THE 9TH ANNUAL SCHOOLHOUSE SCRAMBLE – at Falcon Head Golf Club.
Organized by the DSEF board, the tournament raises funds to support Innovative Teaching and Student Leadership Grants, which empower DSISD teachers to implement creative ideas in the classroom. These grantfunded programs all enhance student learning and academic performance. Many of these programs are one-of-a-kind in Texas or the first of its kind in the country. Student Leadership Grants, also funded by the Educational Foundation, give DSISD students tools they need to serve their schools, community and the world around them.
Music during the golf tournament’s awards ceremony was provided the group, 64 “Gig,” an Innovative Teaching Grant funded by DSEF. Here’s how it works: The 64 Gig Challenge involves DSISD student musicians, landing 64 gigs (opportunities to perform) around town – in classrooms and entire schools, community centers, nursing facilities, businesses, civic clubs, special events, churches and community groups, etc., --during the 2018-2019 school year.
During the year, students learn to find, plan and book gigs, plus have the experience to play an assortment of programs and music styles. A part of the challenge encourages the students to discover local musicians of all ages to partner with for gigs, as well. The gigs also allow the students to share their love of music with the community, rather than just their families.
They are ambassadors to all of Dripping Springs.
Each time DSISD sports teams and their fans travel to an away game, they are all ambassadors, representing a small part of a large state with an even bigger heart to compete and fans, loyal to the student athletes and cheering them in the spirit of good sportsmanship as a positive role model for the next generations to follow.
Dripping Springs High School choral groups, Hi-Steppers, Tiger Band, debate teams, drama department, 4-H’ers and students competing in UIL events often travel outside of the city, the region, even the state, and when they do, they all are ambassadors – mirroring the best of our community to the rest of the world.
Visitors stopping to take a quick sip or a long draught of our special events, hospitality, locally-produced wines, handmade spirits and craft beers and don’t forget our mouthwatering barbecue and local restaurants often return home as newly-minted ambassadors, letting others know of their discoveries in Dripping Springs, “Gateway To Texas Hill Country” and a town bursting with pride, hospitality, musical and artistic talent and a community spirit unequalled in the state.
Finally, Dripping Springs’ team of ambassadors also includes our friends and neighbors who travel to other cities to do business and there are also Dripping Springs High School graduates who join the military or attend colleges and universities in other cities, states and countries, become automatic ambassadors. Through their actions, workethic, can-do attitudes and abilities, they also represent our town – the best place to live, work, raise families, worship, realize dreams, find purpose, make lifelong friends and retire…Dripping Springs USA.
When you think about it, we are ambassadors all!