Odessa High School graduates Larry, Steve and Rudy Gatlin offered some advice to current students Friday.
From the stage of the Odessa High School Performing Arts Center, the brothers told youngsters to stay in school, listen to their teachers, do the best they can and follow their dreams. The talk was held just before the school pep rally.
The brothers have won multiple awards and been active for decades. They have accumulated seven No. 1 singles, 32 Top 40 records, 22 studio albums and much more.
In reviewing their accomplishments, OHS Principal Mauricio Marquez said they entertained troops in Kuwait, Qatar, Germany and many other places in the United States.
They have appeared at sporting events like the World Series, performed at the Astrodome, the U.S. Open and Candlestick Park, among others.
Marquez said he was impressed that the Gatlins had taken time out of their schedule to talk to the students.
“Take advantage of school,” Larry Gatlin said.
He said they know what it means to come from humble, simple beginnings.
“… Everybody doesn’t have to go to college. Guess what? We need hairdressers. We need plumbers. We need people who fix cars and TVs. I understand that and we understand that. Do the best you can. Gobble up the words. Listen to those teachers. Learn what you can, what they want to give you … because let me tell you something young people it’s a tough deal out there when you have to go start putting bread on the table …,” he said.
The only way they will have a leg up is to stick it out at school.
“Yeah, I know some of it’s boring. Okay, I was bored with some of it, too, right? Do it anyway because let me tell you what else is boring. Shoveling. It’s an honest, decent wage I understand, but it’s real boring and it’s real hard. Take advantage of these times you have in school to learn and encourage your friends…,” Larry Gatlin said.
The brothers reminisced about their teachers and expressed thanks for what they learned.
Rudy Gatlin remembered reading “Beowulf” and said he was rereading it now.
He said it is about bravery, loyalty and it says a couple of things about God.
Marquez told students that it doesn’t matter where they come from, they can achieve their dreams.
The brothers started their talk by singing the school song and ended with the fight song.
None of the students in attendance knew who the Gatlin Brothers were.
Tamijenay Clay, a 15-year-old sophomore, said she thought it was cool that they came back to see the school.
She thought it would have been even better if their teachers came back, too.
Matthew Thompson, a 17-year-old senior, said he was thankful that the brothers came to OHS.
“… I would have been more interested to hear about what they had to say about the change to OHS and how growth is transitioning to a … better place,” Thompson said.
Tony Parris, a former associate principal at OHS and now head of school at First Odessa Christian Academy, came back to help out with the Gatlin’s visit.
Parris said the message of listening to their teachers was wonderful.
“There’s a lot of wisdom there, and if you’re not paying attention to what your teachers are saying, you’re missing out. That was the message. I thought it was great. It doesn’t matter what you’re going to do in life after that; if it’s going to college be the best you can be,” Parris said.
If a student is going to become a welder, work on cars or whatever they choose, they should listen to their teachers.
“And as great as somebody from Odessa, that’s got the kind of fame that these guys have come back here and want to share with their alma mater and students here that message. It’s just simple. Stay in school, do your best, and you’re setting yourself up for the best success you can that way,” Parris said.
