FROM THE TOP
LELAND ACKER chreporter@mediactr.com
When I delivered pizzas for a living, there was a song that would come on the radio as I zipped down the mean streets of Jacksonville setting record delivery times.

Bobby Pinson's "Don't Ask Me How I Know," offered common sense advice.

Sell your truck while it's still running.

Save the Jesus off the dash.

Say a prayer when you feel like cussing.

Save your money. Pay with cash.

Forget your pride. Buy the roses.

If you're sorry, tell her so.

Don't drink the water in Mexico.

Don't ask me how I know.

This column is my advice that I would like to offer to the graduating class of 2007.

First, and most important, be yourself. Don't take on a whole new persona when you reach that college campus this fall. You will find a diverse group of people, with a diverse set of ideas. Most of those ideas will be just plain silly.

If you have been saved, remember Hebrews 10:23 says "Let us hold fast to the profession of our faith without wavering, for he is faithful that promised." If you are a Christian, then be a Christian when you get to school. Let that be who you are, because Christ has made some solid promises to you, and He will keep them. His promises are way better than the acceptance of a professor, or a classmate that thinks he knows everything. Don't ask me how I know.

Second, don't get caught up in the college life. Believe it or not, college is not really like the movie "Animal House." Don't ask me how I know.

Third, (this also applies to high school underclassmen), remember you are only young once. If there is an extra-curricular activity you are interested in, try it out. Stephen F. Austin State University has a number of activities, like rugby, roller hockey, intramural sports, indoor track, speech/debate, journalism, radio/TV and so on. Many of these activities are starved for participants.

Furthermore, if you have the opportunity to enroll in the Honors program, do it. Don't ask me how I know.

Finally, I would like to share with you a phrase I learned from Rusk Head Basketball Coach Tracy Kincade. "FINISH!"

Being a quitter means you'll spend much of your life asking "what if?" Don't do that. Finish college. Finish your sports season. Follow through on your dreams. Don't sit back 10-15 years from now and wonder, "What if?" Don't ask me how I know.