SUPER MONDAY

A motivational and informational morning message from Superintendent Willis

Week 21 ~ January 8th, 2024

Super Monday Message

In Dale Carnigie’s award winning book, How To Win Friends & Influence People, he tells a story about Bob Hoover. While Bob had some thrilling stories as a fighter pilot in WWII, Dale Carnigie told a story of Bob’s later career as a stunt pilot. He was known for perfecting his stunt of pouring a cup of tea while doing a barrel roll.

On May 25th, 1978 Bob Hoover had just completed an air show for a huge audience and was getting prepared to fly out again to another city. His plane was refueled and a few other men got in the plane with him. Bob’s plane took off and made it about 300 feet into the air when both engines died. Bob was a very skilled pilot with over 30 years of experience and he managed to keep himself and the others alive through the emergency crash landing. The plane, however, was destroyed. Bob nearly immediately discovered the problem was that the plane had been filled with the wrong type of fuel.

Bob and the other men who were nearly killed went back to the garage to find the mechanic who had filled the plane with fuel. This mechanic might have witnessed Bob’s nearly tragic crash from the ground and probably knew of his mistake at once. He was sick with agony as he had caused the damage to an expensive plane and nearly killed friends. You might expect that Bob gave him a tongue lashing, but he didn’t. 

The news reported exactly what Bob said to the mechanic when he got to the garage. He said, “There isn’t a man alive who hasn’t made a mistake. But I’m positive you’ll never make this mistake again. That’s why I want to make sure that you’re the only one to refuel my plane tomorrow. I won’t let anyone else on the field touch it.”

Bob was as good as his word and he never had that problem again. The incident inspired the design of a new fuel nozzle that ensured planes would not be filled with the wrong fuel. It’s still called the Hoover Nozzle.

Mr. Carnegie used this story to support his first principle not to criticize, condemn, or complain. In this story mr. Hoover was able to keep a friend, make the friendship stronger, solve a problem for many pilots, and avoid the unpleasantness of a burned bridge. He did not ignore the mistake and he did call the mistake out, but he quickly worked toward a long term solution. We can all find ways to be just a little less critical, a little more positive, and still get the results we’re hoping for. Have the best week 21.

Super High Fives

Just a couple of the awesome recent accomplishments that need a big thank you. 

• A super high five to Circleville Elementary who was recently recognized by the state for excellence in literacy progress monitoring. Dina Thomas and Natalie Remund work hard to make sure teachers have quality data to work with in helping young readers improve their skills, special super high five to them.
• A super high five to the Piute High School Cheerleaders for a second place finish at their divisionals competition on Saturday. They are qualified for and preparing for the state competition. 
• A super high five to school board member Teresa Morgan who was nominated to serve on the Utah School Boards Association Board of Directors. She will serve as a regional representative for the state school boards association.

Other Super Information

• Winter Sports Schedule
• Draft 2024-2025 School District Calendar

Super Weekly Schedule