Y'all Go To Hell - I'm Goin' to Texas

There was an article in Texas Monthly a while back that brought forth the basic question: what traits are requisite in order to be a Texan?

The article featured various celebrities with various ties to Texas and sought to teach that there really are no hard and fast rules. Maybe.

For instance, it's hard to say Steve Martin is more "Texan" than George W. Bush. But, if naturalization is a main requirement, then that is exactly the case.

Even among certain Texans, there's spirited debate. Residence requirements (If you live North of the Brazos, you're a Yankee); food requirements (If you put beans in chili, you're a Yankee); language requirements (Take the "g" off the end of your action verbs and know what it means "to be fixin' to do something".)

Today marks the 170th anniversary of our beloved Republic. Knowing that is the first test toward being a True Texan.

I remember 20 years ago when the word "sesquicentennial" became a word in people's working vocabulary.

As luck had its way that year, my hometown voted to break off from its consolidated school district and form its own independent school district. The ISD was the first to be formed in the 150th year of Texan independence. As such, it adopted as its mascot the Texan.

Overnight, I went from being a Hays Rebel to a Wimberley Texan.

I can't even begin to describe how upset I was. For years, I had attended football games at Hays High School and had looked forward to attending its high school the following year. I knew the words to Dixie and sang the school song with pride.

All in all, I'm glad I went to high school where I did. I was exposed to certain opportunities I wouldn't have had if I attended a larger school.

But today I'm extraordinarily proud to live in a state that flies its own flag with equal or greater allegiance than that of the national flag.