We sat down with Friendswood High School Principal Mark Griffon to discuss traditions, Homecoming and what it's like to be the principal of THE #1 High School on the Planet!
We sat down with Friendswood High School Principal Mark Griffon to discuss traditions, Homecoming and what it's like to be the principal of THE #1 High School on the Planet!
Speaker 1 Texas? Speaker 2 No. Why are we talking about this first? Speaker 3 Because I knew Groupon would want to talk about tax. When? How fired. I've got nothing to win. Speaker 1 Against Texas law. Speaker 2 That was. Oh, my gosh. Yeah. That was painful for. Unknown Me class that I was going to the trial. Speaker 1 Yeah, she could kick the field. Oh. Speaker 3 Yeah. I have to say, that was exciting for me. Speaker 2 But Sean, my my husband, he graduated from U.T., so it's a big deal in our house, and he had our UT flag out in the yard. And as soon as the game was over, he went and took it down. Speaker 1 But I can tell you that long story actually that might be good for this podcast. Today we were at a wedding, friends were high school and also Texas Tech alum, so he had a lot of Texans. He married a girl who's a Texas Tech alum, but her whole family went to U T. So this is an afternoon wedding. Speaker 1 So the game still going on? Oh, it's supposed to start, but it goes in overtime. So both wedding group, the brides and grooms go, We're not coming out to this is over. Speaker 3 Oh, my God. It's getting close again. Speaker 1 Luckily it was at the parents house, so. Oh, you know, there wasn't any big. Speaker 3 Boom, right? Speaker 1 Just to go deal. So they waited till the game was over. And it was so funny because there's a crowd of a tech people here around their phone, UTV, people around their phone yelling and screaming because. Speaker 3 They're my gosh, that's awesome. Speaker 1 And then this part I can't include, but the both parties said that they were ready to go with they were going to take a celebratory victory shot. Speaker 3 Before the wedding. Speaker 1 Because Tech one, they did that and then they came out and started the. Speaker 2 We're going to say that's okay because they were all of legal age, all drinking and all decision. Speaker 3 Oh, yeah. Oh my God, that's awesome. Speaker 1 At a Texas Tech cake. It was it was awesome. Speaker 3 Yeah. I would. Speaker 2 Be a runaway bride if my groom said we're postponing the wedding. Speaker 3 For. And she was on board. Speaker 1 Her group up there. They got a Raider pal. Go. And as soon as. Speaker 3 So that's awesome. That's fine. Well, today we want to talk about the word tradition. And who better to talk to than Mark Griffen, principal of Friendswood High School. Welcome, Mark. Glad you're here. Glad to. Yes. Your phone deserves a little audio right here. So, Mark, why don't you kind of. I don't think you really have to introduce yourself. Speaker 3 I know most people, if they know friends, are in high school, they know Mark Griffin. Just kind of give us a little background on who you are and tell us about your family and kind of your background. Speaker 1 Yes. Grew up in Friendswood. We moved my family moved to Friendswood when I was in sixth grade, so moved from Nashville, Tennessee. My dad was a doctor and had a person that he went to medical school with that they wanted to start a practice and he was in Pearland, Texas. And so we came to Friendswood. I have a brother, Robert Griffen, who's a city councilman right now, had a younger sister, Angela, who was homecoming queen, 99, and older brother, J.P.. Speaker 1 He tragically died in a car accident in 86. We have dedicated the J.P. Griffon fishing tournament. We have had our 36th, our 36th annual this year. Speaker 3 Wow. Speaker 1 So great event. Raises money for scholarships for Friendswood high School graduates. So we've turned that tragedy into something positive. Speaker 3 Mark, how many how many groups do you have that come out? Like, does it grow every single year where there are more and more fishing teams or. Speaker 1 Well, it's kind of, you know, piqued. Really, Before COVID, we were around 50, 55 teams and that was 350 anglers. Now we've capped it at about 250. Speaker 3 Oh, okay. So it got too big. Speaker 1 Yeah, Yeah, it's a little got a little too big in that town that we have it port Mansfield really can't handle that many people. It's just a fishing port. So yeah, it's just a great event. Speaker 3 That's awesome. So keep going with your family wife? Speaker 1 Yeah. So married to wife. Maribel Met her after college. We had two sons. Friendswood High School, Lance Jackson and Layne are also Texas Tech alums. You know, just love my experience at Friendswood High School. Enjoyed playing sports, involved in the musical one act play, really just got involved in everything that I could. Speaker 3 So hold on. Stop there for a second. You actually won. You received the fighting Mustang Award, and that was for an athlete that played all three sports. Yes. Do we still call it that? Speaker 1 It's still called Defining US Mustang Award, but it's now they don't. The requirement Coach Winston had was you had to play football, basketball and track. Oh, we didn't have baseball really until 1977. So you had to be in those three sports, excel in those three sports. And so that's why he had it. And so over the years, we still have the award, but it's adjusted to because kids are, you know, picking right. Speaker 1 Single sports. And so now it's just, you know, have excelled, showed leadership academically and athletically. Speaker 3 And you won that twice, by the way. Speaker 1 That twice. Speaker 3 Wow. Speaker 2 And it wasn't just like participating, he said excelled. Speaker 3 That's right. Right, right, Exactly. Joy should be the word. And then the winner. The coach. Yeah, right. You coach basketball. Did you coach football? Speaker 1 Coach football. Speaker 3 You did. Speaker 1 With coach Steve VanMeter. My first year we were the freshman football coaches at Friendswood and did that for three years, then moved over and also coached basketball. Speaker 3 Right when I was your love. That was my love track and baseball. Speaker 1 Okay, Because I was told my first year at Friendswood High School that you got extra money for every sport you coached. And I said, I will coach every sport available. Speaker 3 Hold on. So you were essentially never home. Speaker 1 I was single. I didn't want to be. Speaker 3 Home with the high school. Okay. Yeah, I was going to say it's just rolled into now. He's principal and he's not running because as principal, I'm sure you're never home. So. Yes. So would you say basketball was your all time favorite thing to coach? Speaker 1 Yes, without a doubt. Loved it. Coaching freshman for three years, then took over the head spot and was the head basketball coach for 11 years and really enjoyed it. Speaker 3 Wow. That's a lot of years of being a coach, right? Speaker 1 Yeah. Oh, yeah. Well, I mean, you know, I could have kept coaching. I mean. Speaker 3 Yeah. Speaker 1 I was going to, you know, when I, when I moved into administration, which was always kind of a goal, I didn't think the sun was going to come up the next day when I left coaching. Yeah, but. Speaker 3 I was in love. It did. Yeah. Speaker 1 And I was able to coach. My sons were at the age where they were doing AEW stuff, so I was still able for about the next seven or eight years to coach them in the spring, in the summer, which kind of helped that passion. But still today Ms. His Ms. coaching a little bit. Speaker 2 Do you feel like though, that coaching kind of prepared you for this leadership role as a principal? Speaker 1 Oh, I think so, yeah. Dealing with, you know, kids developing relationships and then dealing with parents a little bit different perspective. But and then, you know, a lot of interaction with different coaches, different teachers. So, yeah, good, good preparation. Speaker 3 I've always her great, great stories about you as a coach. So it doesn't really seem to matter what role you're in. Mr. ON People love you. You are a people person, right? Speaker 1 Oh yeah. Speaker 3 Yeah. Speaker 1 Just got to be doing something where. Speaker 3 You're you're lucky to be busy. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You mentioned your boys. They went to tech so they have Jackson is Jackson Lane or just Jackson that has a Texas Tech podcast. Speaker 1 Jackson and Lane. Speaker 3 Oh, they both are. Speaker 1 Yes, they both do. Speaker 3 Okay. My boys love to listen to it. Yes. They're having a. Speaker 1 Lot of a lot of fun. Everything Texas Tech and then also on the side, they they fancy themselves as sports pickers of games. Oh, betting, betting wise. Jackson calls himself the chef. He's always cooking in the kitchen, trying to come up with good, good bets. And Lane's nickname is Lane. He's locks, and it's also the Ritz. I mean, they do European soccer. Speaker 1 Lane is a European soccer nut. Wow. Watches it all the time. So it's interesting. They have a lot of fun with it. Speaker 3 Yeah, I do. Oh, that's awesome. I did not know that. I know the boys talk about it all the time. I think it's great. So I know they're doing a good job. So today we're talking about tradition. What would you say are some traditions that come to mind at Friendswood or Friendswood High School and then we'll kind of get into the hole. Speaker 3 How did traditions really get started and how do we hold on to some traditions and then let go of others and that sort of thing? Are there some traditions that come to mind when you think of Friendswood? Yeah. Speaker 1 There are. There are some that we still have, I think that were here in the fifties. Most of them started by the legend. Dr. Kennedy. But our spirit walkthroughs we still do today where the band cheer the Wranglers Friday morning, they start with a walk through the campus kind of playing music, the fight song, and then it'll either lead into a pep rally or that's that's all we'll do that day that's going on for as far back as you can remember, the patriotic halftime performance is a long running tradition homecoming, the parade, the community pep rally on Thursday. Speaker 3 Oh yeah, I forgot about the community pep rally due to, you know, the years of any of these. Like, how long have we been doing? I mean, I guess all schools have done homecoming but didn't. Right. Do you know, like you said, since the fifties. Speaker 1 Fifties, I would say our homecoming community pep rally and the halftime festivities and recognizing the alumni lifetime and alumni group has has been going on since the fifties and is pretty much in the same format. Speaker 2 So it's proven in Tony Hopkins. He'd probably know the the day of the week. Speaker 3 Everything exists right now. Speaker 2 Which is a part of the conversation. Speaker 3 Yeah. Now I remember when I first started as assistant principal, Dr. Kennedy was there. She had these large wooden like chairs for the homecoming queens to sit in. Do they still sit in those chairs? Speaker 1 They still we had to upgrade them. Speaker 3 Okay. Speaker 1 We had to get new ones because they were cracking. But we ordered, believe it or not, the same design. Speaker 3 Awesome, same. Speaker 1 Type. And that what and what she's talking about is a big wooden frame that basically fits over the back of a chair. Oh, and so we took them to a person and they designed I might have been our our, our engineering class that did it. I'd have to check on that. Speaker 3 But something like it's almost like a throne. Yes. You know, it's like very regal and like, wow, yeah, you're important. That's a big that's a big deal. We have, sweetheart, and we have homecoming right through. Yes. Speaker 1 Yes. Speaker 2 That's part things unique, I think, too. Speaker 3 I think so, too. And the football team picks the sweetheart. Yes. Yes, that's. Speaker 1 Right. And that's the you know, from my understanding, the same rules on established early on of the same thing now. So it's unique. Speaker 3 And I know those man when it comes down to vote for all of those things, it's very it's a big deal. Speaker 3 Lots of campaigning. I'll see you use paper ballots. Speaker 1 No. Speaker 3 Okay. Speaker 1 Yes, we still do for football, sweetheart, because the football team bets on that. Right? We so we still do that to finally get to the final three and then then vote that way. So but homecoming, no move to digital. Speaker 3 Oh, okay. Interesting. Speaker 2 Well, that wasn't a tradition. Speaker 3 I know. Speaker 1 It was. It was paper ballot. Speaker 3 So forever. Forever. Yeah. So would you say that Friendswood? I think I know the answer to this question, but are we more traditional? Like, are we less? Have have some fallen away that like I remember we used to give senior awards that we don't I still give like best smile and most likely to something I don't know. I can't remember them all. Speaker 3 But some of those have fallen away, right? Yes. You still have those yearbook awards? Speaker 1 We still have yearbook awards. But we when we went to a digital format, we kind of combined some of them. So it is still four or five instead of ten. Speaker 3 Right? Right. Speaker 1 So, yeah, kind of watered it down a little bit. So we still we still do have those. Speaker 3 And what do you think what are the importance of traditions, Mark? Why? Why do we hold on to a lot of those? Speaker 1 Well, I think it's, you know, the reason I think we have tradition is because we had such long tenured people like Dr. Kennedy, Henry Winston, Walter Wilson. They had long careers at the same school. They were either at the high school or are MFI, SD in some format. So I think that helped us continue to build those traditions. Speaker 1 And then I think they just, you know, help set expectations for students in all areas, teachers as well buy into to them and then what I like about traditions is I think it helps support our family culture, our community involvement, and then the alumni involvement, right. Speaker 3 Makes those connections. And one of the things I know the musical does this for us at Friendswood High School, but you have siblings that were in it and did it. And so then those younger siblings come through and they're like, I it's like almost like a family event. You even have you even have parents and uncles, aunts and uncles that did it. Speaker 3 And so they're like, you are going to do the exact same thing, you know, that we did because they all went to friends in high school. Speaker 1 So, yes, that that was the Griffieon family. Speaker 3 Yes, there was a lot of families. Speaker 1 I think I would probably have never gotten into theater like I did. My older brother J.P. was, you know, a real strong singer. So he got into musicals. So when I was a freshman, it was just like you said, you know, my parents and J.P. said, you're going to be in the musical, you know? So you're like, okay, I'll go sign up, you know, basically for sign up. Speaker 1 But, you know, and that's another unique thing about our musical is that it's open to all students on campus to try out not just drama, require students. Speaker 3 Yeah. So how much older was JP than you? Speaker 1 He was two years. Speaker 3 Two years older, You see more charismatic than you? Speaker 1 I would think so. Speaker 3 Yeah. Speaker 1 He was quite the performer. Speaker 3 Wow. Because, Robert, would you consider Robert a performer? Speaker 1 Oh, yeah, he was. He was an all all. Speaker 3 You all four. Speaker 1 Of our siblings were in every musical. Wow. And then just just there's just a lot of examples of that. What you have mentioned where parents, you know, both my kids were in the musical now and they weren't real musically talented. Oh, Josh grew up on Abbie Griff on my my brother's kids were both musical kids. So that tradition is is very strong and much very much alive. Speaker 3 Yeah, it's a little bit of a sore subject for me because my boys refused to do what I told them they had to do. They just really well, I was. Speaker 2 Really surprised that Shawn's best friend is Travis. That's and so his twin sister, Tegan, was like a star, I think, in theater. And whenever I found out like that, Travis had also done the musical. I was like, Travis. Speaker 3 It was the thing to do. Like it didn't matter what sport you played. Speaker 2 Exactly right. Yeah, But I mean, he is he loves attention and he loves to be like the life of the party. So in a way it does align. But he was a football player, so it was like that just never would have happened. I don't think in Alvin. Speaker 3 Yeah, yeah. It's definitely true to friends. Well, something that I think it's wonderful. Speaker 2 Oh yeah, for sure. Speaker 3 So. So when young Mark was thinking about his future, what would you have said? Let's say you were 13, 15. What would you have said at that age was your dream job like? What was it that you wanted to do, Coach? Was it coaching? Speaker 1 Yeah, I don't know if it's really. Coaching is probably something with sports because I was really big into that. I mean, Bart Starr, the quarterback of Green Bay, you're probably too young to remember him, but he was like, Brady is now. And so I wanted to be him, wanted to play in the NFL. But of course, that didn't work out. Speaker 3 I guess so. Speaker 2 But I think he's like a sports broadcaster, Like you've got the voice, you know, and the look like right now. I mean, you would see the colors on the shirt, in the jacket. They always seem to be wearing some wild stuff there. Speaker 3 But that's true. That would be a fine. Well, because let's that's one of the things that I wanted to talk to you about. And I'll just move there now. No one loves a microphone like Mark or fine. That's true. It's true. Don't even try to take a microphone from Mark Griffen or you might get hurt. So I have to tell you, Morgan, I don't know if you're going to believe me or not, but it's one of my favorite things that you do, and I think I can speak for all students when they say the spirit that you bring into pep rallies and like you're all in, you're one of these principles. Speaker 3 It's all in that I admire and I love like to watch you out there kind of doing your thing. I think students would say you're a really fun principal. Speaker 1 Yes, I think that I bring that joy, you know, of building relationships and interacting positively is what it's all about. And so, yes, you know, that's why I do the pep rallies, because I enjoy it. Yeah, I enjoy getting the students fired up. That's something, again, it's been traditional at Friendswood. You know, we had pep rallies, you know, all the way back, probably pretty similar then, you know, than they are now. Speaker 1 So just yeah, that's the way that I bring fun into the principal's position. Speaker 3 But more than fun, it really gives the students a chance to see that you enjoy your job, you love what you do. And I think on some level you're kind of telling kids you really love them and you enjoy what? Oh yeah, you're out there. You know, I think you make it so much fun and. Speaker 2 Just that you love Friendswood High School in particular, and, you know, that's one thing that I hear from everyone. Whenever your name is mentioned is your your famous line that I think has changed. I've heard it a few different ways. Speaker 3 Maybe you can maybe you can. Speaker 2 Tell what the actual line should be. Speaker 1 Well, I believe I've moved it several. Speaker 3 Times to. Speaker 1 Several different. Yes, it's evolved and now we're kind of, you know, the number one high school experience anywhere. Oh, it's kind of worldwide. Speaker 3 Yes. Oh, okay. Speaker 1 This is what we hope to achieve, you know, with that with our students and teachers. Speaker 3 Do you think I know Could is it the right way to say it? But do you do you think you could have been a principal somewhere else or it just would have been totally different? Speaker 1 Well, I think so. I think it would have been different right. You know, because you're so like you said, all in all, you've had the experience. You want kids to enjoy kind of the same experience. And so, you know, you love the school, you love the community. You know, you can't get that everywhere, right. Speaker 3 And you you get the community. So I think on some level, you go in with a lot more confidence of knowing that, you know, your community and, you know, you know, you have such a love for your community that there's no like, should I do this? Should we not do this? Is this something that would work in this community? Speaker 3 You just know it. You know it's going to work and, you know, so you can pull pull off a lot. So has your role as principal, has it changed? Has it evolved? I mean, what's the difference between when you started in education to now maybe not even as a principal, just in education overall? Speaker 1 You know, I don't think it really has changed a whole lot because in the end, it's all about, you know, relationships, whether you're building them with teachers and trying to motivate them to do what you want them to do in the classroom and those interactions or with the kids and motivating them to engage. You know, I believe that, you know, the biggest challenge that we faced and it's been since I've been involved as an administrator and that is getting kids that struggle to engage in the high school experience. Speaker 3 And. Speaker 1 Find something they're passionate about to hook them in. We do a great job of that and the majority of our students are there and they're engaged and they love what they do. But the struggle and the challenges, those students that don't and you know, that's where I think we've got to roll up our sleeves and and go to work and try to help those kids. Speaker 3 Because even if there's one you know, it's it's going to be that frustration of why can we not make the high school experience? And I'll tell you, I'll agree with you. It's one of the things that, frankly, you just don't even sleep well at night. And it's always about those kids that you just don't quite reach. And you can try to convince them that get involved, find something that's going to make it better. Speaker 3 But there's just some kids that young, you know, it's just hard, hard to reach. Not that it's impossible. It's not impossible. Like you said, it's all about the relationships. What really can make a difference with those kids are. Speaker 1 And one of the things that I think change for the good is that we offer, you know, from when I started as an assistant principal to now Friendswood High School just offers so many more. Speaker 3 Activity. Speaker 1 Clubs, programs, a wide variety of interest, you know. So it's it's easier for us to to help kids find that that pathway. Speaker 3 But that is absolutely been a transformation over the last ten years. 15 years is the different courses that kids can take in the CTE programs. And I mean, we still we've even and those that we don't teach at the high school, we've reached out to community colleges. Right. And we've been able to offer even, you know, like whether it's welding or there's a new one. Speaker 3 Yeah. Something. What's the. Speaker 2 New Maritime? Speaker 3 Maritime. Maritime. I mean, we've really. Yeah. You've done a great job with just trying to bring in as many courses as possible. Speaker 2 Well, just even to like the clubs. My first year when we were doing student spotlights, I remember being told about like the EA Sports League. I'm assuming that still around at the high school, but a lot of the kids who were in the room that day, they said they had never been in any sort of club or organization before that one. Speaker 2 And that's just where they really clicked in and they were telling me all about EA Sports. I didn't even know that was a thing. And that you can like potentially get scholarships to go to college for that. And I'm like, All of it's going right over my head. But it's like you could tell is just something they love. Speaker 2 So it was really, really cool that they just have that place to click in. Speaker 1 Yeah, it's awesome. Bobby Blankenship's the teacher that picked up that particular club and, you know, that's the great thing. We have teachers that are willing to. He didn't know a lot about it when he came and talked to me, but he goes, these kids are passionate about I want to help them out. And so, you know, it's a great way to get them involved. Speaker 3 Are there any other clubs that come to mind that are relatively new that you're like, this is kind of blown up or. Speaker 1 All the different cultural clubs? It seems like they come in and out. But yeah, there's there's a lot of them. I can't. Speaker 3 Even when we're. Speaker 2 Recycling Yeah. Speaker 3 Recycle the club huge. So we're doing so this this month our challenge accepted. Mr. Raffone I don't know if you know is with our engineering departments. We're doing pumpkin launchers, they're designing their own puppet launchers, the. Speaker 2 Students versus the teachers, and they're going to get five pumpkins are going out to the FFA barn and they are going to launch five each and we're going to average the distance and see who created basically the better. Speaker 3 Lunch lunch. So yeah, catapult or. Yeah, right. So when you say. Speaker 2 Pumpkin chunking. Speaker 3 Longer term that is. Speaker 1 The physics word. Speaker 3 Yes, that's right. Physics word, yes. But then next month we've reached out to Ms.. Woosley and the recycling club. We're going to do a fun challenge with the recycling club where they're designing actually clothes with their recycling will do like a fashion show for the for the winter. Speaker 2 So it'll be fun. Speaker 3 Yeah, it'll be fun. So that'll be coming your way soon. So let's talk homecoming. So next week is homecoming and the parade is Thursday night. The theme I don't know if you can help us with the theme or not because I can't wrap my head around confused the theme is paradise on Earth. And then you have different groups. Speaker 3 Dress it up, like from Scooby Doo, The Bachelorette. Speaker 1 Wow. That's interesting. Speaker 3 I know. Yeah. So I just didn't quite know if you knew. I didn't understand what paradise on Earth was. Speaker 1 Well, I'm not sure either, but I saw this come through from our student council, and I was a bit confused. A paradise on earth, I thought was a draw, too. You know, we call a day in Friendswood High School, you know, a day in paradise, another day. Speaker 3 So you could explain it. That's probably going to. Speaker 1 Be a connection there. Speaker 3 Okay. Speaker 1 But the Outer Banks and Scooby do stuff. Speaker 3 Not quite sure. Not quite sure how each student group gets to come up with their own way of dressing and decorating float. Right. So that that will be on Thursday. And then just remember, about 6:00, the road slows down for that parade to go through the middle of town. So important for you to be aware of that. And then this year we have a hall of honor, which is our athletes. Speaker 3 Is that correct? Speaker 1 Athletes and coaches. Speaker 3 Athletes and coaches. Okay. Yeah. And then every other year we do distinguish alarm. Yes. Okay. Which is the alumni association. But that's next year, right? Okay. That year. And then our homecoming game, we're playing territory. I remembering that correctly. Speaker 2 Any predictions for the game, Mr. Good Fun. Speaker 1 I just have a lot of confidence in Coach Koopman and his staff. I know they'll have the Mustangs ready, so I'm predicting a win. Speaker 2 Perfect. Speaker 3 Can you give anyone an update? Not any. No one reached out to me and asked me any questions about it, but I did see it on social media. Can you give any sort of update? Did I hear the lights went out at the football game? Speaker 1 They did. Speaker 3 What, late at night, 9:00 when the game was still going, right? Speaker 1 Oh, yes. Speaker 2 Oh, my gosh. Speaker 1 9:00 And I was part of the investigation as to why. And evidently there was a scheduling error. Speaker 2 Oh, no. Speaker 1 Our football staff. Speaker 3 We don't have to name any names. That's right. Name of no names. Speaker 1 But they put 9:00 instead of 11:00. Sure was a typing error in the phone. You know, big thumbs in there and oh. Speaker 3 No. Speaker 1 That's why they went off, because it was kind of. But they came right back on. Speaker 3 Okay, well, good. Speaker 1 They the safety valve kick them back on. So they were only out for about 15 seconds. Speaker 3 There is a great picture on social media of the kids with all their phone flashlights on. Speaker 2 Oh my God. Speaker 3 It's a really good picture. I need to share that with. You know, as I was reading about what happened, I can't even imagine. Speaker 1 So I think you all can look forward to I don't think it's going to happen at homecoming. But because that happened now, our athletic program is looking to make this happen again. They're going to turn the lights off during the third quarter of and maybe we're building a new tradition. Speaker 3 Wow. Speaker 1 They're going to play some music. This is driven by our kids and do something with their phones. So we're really looking forward to that. Speaker 3 Oh, cool. So if it makes you nervous for the lights go out just a little heads up. The lights may be going out at not this week, but next week at the homecoming game. Now, did we were we losing before the lights went out and then we totally changed and we won? Is that why. Speaker 1 We're we were behind? Speaker 3 Oh. Speaker 1 We were behind in the lights rally. Speaker 2 Just so are we sure that wasn't planned? Speaker 3 I love I love it. I love that movie. The lights aren't going out tonight. That's right. That's right. That's awesome. So let's start construction. How is it? I was really worried at the beginning when they were on the roof and all these different things, you know, were going on. We have an auditorium coming in and we have a new gymnasium coming in. Speaker 3 How's it been going? Speaker 1 Pretty smooth. The construction that's really on the left side of the campus of separated from the school where they're doing the new competition gym and the new performing Arts Center has. We really had no issues at the beginning of the school year. It reduced our parking for students, right? So that was a little bit of a problem. But the roof construction that you mentioned has been real problematic. Speaker 1 We had two fire drills yesterday caused by our roofers. Oh, and that's been ongoing. It kind of started in June or July when they started, and it's was really bad then. We've made some improvements, but yesterday they're moving around. They're supposed to be working until February. So our students are going to have to hang was they did a great job yesterday going out twice. Speaker 1 Well, one was at 7:00 in the morning, so I think I will. Maybe Doug and Wayne and I were the only. Speaker 3 Three that had to leave the building. Speaker 1 So, yes, that's that's been a problem. But we're looking forward to this summer. Speaker 3 Oh, yeah. Speaker 1 I'll move inside to do the new city area. Speaker 3 Oh, okay. Speaker 1 And the culinary. Speaker 3 Start before we open the other. They're just kind of going to keep moving. Speaker 1 Yes. They hope to move the auditorium into the new park right in June. So once they do that, they'll be able to start demo in those two areas. And so once they move inside, that logistical issues is going to become a big problem. I mean, we have to plan. We're starting planning right now on where we're going to move the band choir, culinary engineering. Speaker 1 You know, they'll have to move completely out of their spaces. Speaker 3 Right. Speaker 1 And go somewhere else. One of the exciting things it's been mentioned is maybe with culinary, we can use a. Speaker 3 Klein. Speaker 1 Because they'll be moved out of there. They have a kitchen over there. We might can use Klein for a couple of different things, right? So yeah, that's going to be a logistical issue, but we know whatever we come up with won't be perfect. But once that construction is done at some point next year, it's going to be really nice. Speaker 3 It is going to be nice. Speaker 2 You know, one thing I went to yesterday, so construction was done and finally opened its doors is a little Mustang's presets. Really. Did you get around there at all yesterday? Speaker 1 I didn't. I did today. Speaker 3 Okay. Speaker 1 And it's awesome. Yeah, it is awesome. Speaker 3 It's great. I know we had a couple of questions with the new play area outside that that was for maybe hope for some of our high school students. But that's been corrected. Yes, we don't we don't need that for our high school students. If you were wondering that, we actually have authentic learning going on, we're ready, set, Teach program comes in and they actually get to teach pre-K kids, which is awesome. Speaker 3 Yes, great. Speaker 1 And right now, Ms.. Hope Velour, the teacher of that program, is kind of leading it for a couple of weeks. And then she's going to step out and then it's going to be completely run by already said teach students. And perhaps parents have gone by because I've seen them practicing teaching kids how to play on the playground. So it looks like our kids are playing on the. Speaker 3 Oh gosh, playground. Speaker 1 But they're actually training to get ready for the kids. Speaker 3 So what a job is. Speaker 1 That we're decorating. It looks really good for Halloween and what bother today. And it's it's really an awesome program. Speaker 3 So one of the things that I did here, which I never even dreamed of, which I think is a beautiful idea, is think about all the different groups and courses going on in the high school that they're going to take the kids to where they're. Speaker 2 All field trips. Yeah, I know. Speaker 3 Field trips inside the school, so that's really sweet. Now, have we had any pre-K parents actually looking through the windows wanting their kids back or not? Speaker 1 Yeah, we I have heard mention of the pre-K parents arriving early to drop their kids off, I suppose to be dropped off till nine. Speaker 3 Mine. Speaker 1 Yeah, you're getting there around 830. Speaker 3 Oh gosh. Speaker 2 She's not coming until. Speaker 3 Four into 12. Speaker 1 And that was funny is the second fire drill we had yesterday. They were there and had to do their first fire drill. Oh, I said that was exciting. Speaker 3 But hey, good training. That's good training for everyone. That's awesome. So before I let you leave, I know you know a lot about Texas Tech, and so I'm going to ask you three trivia questions. Are you ready? Speaker 1 Great projects in our language. Speaker 3 Soon you can phone a friend, possibly for one of them. So what tradition does Texas Tech do after a football victory? Speaker 1 They go have a postal game. Speaker 3 So, okay, before I see the answer, I know that for a long time Texas Tech, it was a tradition to like throw tortillas. So they do that. Speaker 1 Yes, they still do that. And I know the story behind that tradition. Speaker 3 Okay. What was that tradition? Speaker 1 There was a player that we had back in the late seventies. His name was Gabe Rivera. He was from San Antonio, was a four star guy that came out, ended up being so he was a big Hispanic kid who played nose guard. And so he got came in as a freshman, started playing in sacked quarterbacks. So that's whenever he got a sack is when they started going. Speaker 3 Throw into our tortillas. Speaker 1 Because he was. Speaker 3 Flying all over the Yeah that's the theme. Speaker 2 Song was Sean was talking about that after the. Speaker 3 Oh okay. Yeah. After we don't talk about it. Okay that's awesome. We'll do that. Speaker 1 But tech I know Tech has their fight song after every win and they do, you know, Guns up and. Speaker 2 I don't know. Seems like your grasp and. Speaker 1 Others are doing that. Speaker 3 But the answer is rings the victory bells. Speaker 1 Oh yes they did. Yeah I have heard those in the you. Speaker 2 Know, seeing the fights on like every other college does. Speaker 3 When they win. Yes. So, goodness, I hope, you know, one of these what was the masked riders. Speaker 1 These early? Speaker 3 Sorry, I really thought you knew. Everyone knew everyone. What was the Mask Riders original and unofficial name? Speaker 1 Well, Raider. Speaker 3 Okay. Speaker 1 Or was it Iraq or something like that? I can't. Speaker 3 You're so close. It's Ghost Rider. Speaker 1 That must have been real early on that name. Speaker 3 Okay, last question. Sorry. The statue of the man in the horse in the middle of the memorial circle. Speaker 1 So I had my picture there before. Speaker 3 Do you know what their name, The person and the horse have names. Speaker 1 Really? Raider. I'll go with Raider and. And Roy. Speaker 3 Almost. Will Rogers. Speaker 1 Is a Roy. Speaker 3 Rogers. And so, Studs, you've heard of that? The horse is called soap Suds I'm assuming is also Jackson. Can you help your dad with this Texas Tech trivia? Speaker 1 I don't know. I do know they wrap. Speaker 3 Will. Speaker 1 Rogers with yet before the game every game they wrap them and actually we started to do that tradition with our Mustang and. Speaker 3 It didn't last So hey we we had an FHA loan That was the rider. Speaker 1 Yes, we did. Speaker 3 I can't remember her name, but I remember one of our students graduated Friendswood High School, actually was the writer at Texas Tech School. Yes. Speaker 2 So I think we learned first and foremost that Mr. Raven is not a true tech fan after all. Speaker 1 That's true tech fan. Speaker 3 I'm just I have a feeling he knows a lot more answers to different trivia than what I'm just asking specifically. Speaker 1 So those three were high quality. Yeah. Speaker 3 Sorry. Speaker 2 We were trying to stump you. Speaker 1 Buddy Holly. He's in here. I'm ready for you. Speaker 3 And so one of the last things that it looks like I think Kelsey wanted to ask her talk about is the documentary about her. Speaker 2 CUMMINGS Well, you once you 1,000% put that in there. Speaker 3 But I can definitely ask. So. Okay, No, no, no. That's good. So what let's say not in TV, I don't think is in TV even or even around anymore. I don't know. But let's say a company comes and says, Mr. Griffin, we want to have a documentary about Friendswood High School, Homecoming. Speaker 2 Netflix. Speaker 3 I think it would be huge. Would that be something you would be up to do? Would you go. Speaker 1 Oh, no, I'd be open to it. Speaker 3 I think it'd be great. Yeah, The tradition and the history behind it. Just everything about it will be fun. The cameras following the homecoming queen. Speaker 1 Oh, yeah. And a lot of the activities take place, you know, outside instructional time, so. Oh, yeah, I think. Speaker 3 Yeah. Speaker 1 I think it'd be. I think it'd be better than Friday Night Lights. Speaker 3 Whoa. Oh, by the way, when I think about whenever I think of Friday Night Lights. So let me just in with this question, Mr. Raffone. If you couldn't do what you do, what would you do? Speaker 1 You know, I really don't know. I think the good Lord put me on this earth to be the principal at Friendswood High School. So I'm very appreciative of that. But, you know, I look at these salaries these college coaches are making and that might not have been a bad avenue. Speaker 3 And looks pretty good, right? Yeah. Speaker 1 Maybe college coaching be looked at that. Speaker 3 Well, that's awesome. We appreciate you coming. Yeah, it was a great visit and thank you. We appreciate it. Speaker 1 Thank you.