My principal, Dr. Joe DiPonio, Brother Rice High School grad - came in to talk to my Leadership classes last week. He brought with him a card that Mr. Popson - a teacher, athletic director at Brother Rice - gave to him when he graduated. That card had a poem about "Your thoughts will determine your destiny..." He told stories of how Mr. Popson changed his life with the lessons he taught him. Dr. D reads that card almost everyday - the lessons keep coming for him. BIG CONNECTION!! I went to Catholic Central High School - arch rivals of Brother Rice - one of my good friends growing up in high school and college was Mr. Popson's son, Matthew Popson we worked at K-Mart together back in the day. The times I went to Matt's house - his dad was everything Dr. Joe said - he was a great man that affected so many lives. He had this positive force around him-caring for others, a life full of character and integrity.
Here is Dr. D and I after his speech with the card that he carries with him everyday. I posed this question to my students... who is a Mr. Popson for you? Make sure you thank them... and do it soon. Then - even more important I think. ... throughout your lifetime, who can you be a Mr. Popson for out there. Look to be a difference maker out there for others. What you do for others can last a lifetime.
Here is a great response that I got from my friend Matt Popson:
"Thanks John Daly for your great story and tribute to my father. Also thank you Dr. D for sharing your personal experience with what my father meant to you and his influence on your life. My family was fortunate to have such an amazing father, teacher,coach and true Christian in our everyday lives...we shared him proudly with all who knew him because he was all these things to every person who was fortunate to get to know my father...he's one in a million and thank God I got to call him my Dad!!! Everyone who knows my father has a story of some kind and in some way touched all of our lives and thank you for making us all what we are today...thanks again Dad and I love and miss you!!! Thank you John for keeping his spirit alive in another generation of students!!!"
Here is Dr. D and I after his speech with the card that he carries with him everyday. I posed this question to my students... who is a Mr. Popson for you? Make sure you thank them... and do it soon. Then - even more important I think. ... throughout your lifetime, who can you be a Mr. Popson for out there. Look to be a difference maker out there for others. What you do for others can last a lifetime.
Here is a great response that I got from my friend Matt Popson:
"Thanks John Daly for your great story and tribute to my father. Also thank you Dr. D for sharing your personal experience with what my father meant to you and his influence on your life. My family was fortunate to have such an amazing father, teacher,coach and true Christian in our everyday lives...we shared him proudly with all who knew him because he was all these things to every person who was fortunate to get to know my father...he's one in a million and thank God I got to call him my Dad!!! Everyone who knows my father has a story of some kind and in some way touched all of our lives and thank you for making us all what we are today...thanks again Dad and I love and miss you!!! Thank you John for keeping his spirit alive in another generation of students!!!"
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