Crowley ISD Connections Magazine Summer 2017 | Page 14

A Family Tradition One family, three generations of Crowley High School graduates Written by Megan Middleton When Krystin Mullins turned her tassel and tossed her purple cap into the air at Crowley High School’s graduation in May, she became the third generation in her family to claim the title of Crowley High School grad. “At Crowley High School, we’re all about tradition, so I carry the same tradition that all my peers carry, but I also carry my own special version of tradition because it’s my grandmother and then my mom and then me,” Mullins said. “It’s exciting. It means a lot because I’m all about family.” Valerie (Lindberg) Scott, Mullins’ mom and a kindergarten teacher at Dallas Park Elementary in Crowley ISD, is a 1997 graduate of CHS, and her grandmother Connie Watson Bagley is a 1973 graduate. “It’s cool to know that my grandmother walked the same halls as I did,” Mullins said. “I don’t know how to explain it … It’s a heart feeling, I guess. It’s just really nice.” The family has several other CHS alumni, including two of Mullins’ great aunts, a great uncle, an aunt, father, stepfather and several cousins. Mullins’ brother attends CHS and her two sisters are on track to claim the Purple and White as their own one day as well. Bagley started attending CISD schools as a high school freshman. Moving to Crowley was a new start for her family. “We had a lot of friends here,” she said. “I loved the football games. It was just a lot of fun.” Her daughters followed her footsteps and attended CHS, both playing in the Mighty Eagle Band. Now it’s been exciting for Scott to see her daughter, a Crowley High cheerleader, carry on the traditions and memories of CHS and make new ones. Mom and grandma have reminisced with Mullins over the years, flipping through yearbooks and discussing special memories and places in the school. CLASS OF 1973 Three generations of Crowley High School graduates (L-R): Connie Watson Bagley ‘73, Valerie Lindberg Scott ‘97 and Krystin Mullins ‘17. 14 CROWLEY ISD CONNECTIONS | Summer 2017 “She’s graduating from my school, and I was proud to go to my mom’s school, so it’s just really special,” Scott said. “Our pictures are still up in the hallway. My sister’s on the wall, so it’s fun having those memories and seeing her here.” Scott is emotional about her first born closing the chapter on high school and beginning a new one. “That’s my baby,” she said. “Watching her start her life — she is so much more prepared than I was. I’m very proud of her.” Bagley also is proud of her granddaughter, who visits her every week and also helps her great grandmother. “She’s done so much more than I ever thought about doing,” Bagley said. “She’s just an all-around wonderful person, and I’m going to miss her when she goes to college.” Mullins plans to attend Howard Payne University and already has been selected for the college’s cheer team. “I’m so excited about this next chapter but it’s going to be hard to be a part from them (her mother and grandmother),” Mullins said. “It’s going to be weird not having them around so close. “They mean everything to me. What better people to look up to than your mom and your grandma.” CLASS OF 1997 CLASS OF 2017