Several years ago, my wife and I chose the village of Medina as the place we would begin the next adventure of our life. Retirement. Like most new residents of the Texas Hill Country, we were initially captivated by the region’s natural environment. It did not take long for us to comprehend that the beautiful country-side would not remain the most compelling reason for settling in Medina.
As we became better acquainted with the people, culture and institutions of Medina it was obvious we were living in a very special place. We found our little village to be distinctly different from other rural communities where we had resided. As archaeologists we had inhabited small towns from the Great Plains to the Sierra Nevada. In those often-remote locations we witnessed a wide range of dysfunctional, self-destructive behaviors. For some reason Medina had not been clouded by the sense of hopelessness we had observed in other small communities. We wondered what made this village different.
We noticed several significant factors that established Medina as a community where people enjoy a quality of life that has become rare. Unlike many small towns Medina has retained a very strong sense of community with friendly residents, special events and places to socialize. Essential services and businesses are available for most daily needs. The compact village is safe for walking with little traffic or crime. Ironically our biggest safety issue is the abundance of nature. Native and exotic wildlife wander the town like they own it.
In order to protect the local population a town constable, a volunteer fire department and an EMS are readily available. All of the members of those agencies are well trained. Furthermore, in distressing circumstances they respond as friends and neighbors. I know from personal experience no sight is more welcome than the arrival of Medina’s emergency crews.
Medina also benefits from three strong social institutions. Its churches, school system and public library serve as foundation stones for an orderly progressive community.
The Institution of the Church Other than stable families the most effective institution for influencing moral and civil behavior within a society are its churches. The positive effect of congregations that provide assistance for the material and spiritual needs within their community should not be underestimated. The village of Medina is blessed with four churches and others are within a short driving distance.
An outstanding example of how a Christian world view improves the quality of life is seen in a restaurant known as The Core. The Klaassen family who own that business as well as Big Rock Construction and Log Beds help provide support, labor and resources for a wide range of human needs. The local food bank, exercise classes, Bible Study groups, special events and community improvements are sponsored by the Klaassen family. Medina is a place where acts of Christian charity are practiced every day. If the devout followers of Christ were to suddenly disappear from Medina many of our sacred ceremonies, humanitarian services, social clubs, businesses and educational facilities would likely cease to exist.
The Institution of Public Education The primary institution that binds Americans together in a common experience is our system of public schools. Those who lack a basic level of education soon realize they are handicapped within the society where they exist. Most parents want their children to be prepared for a rapidly changing world. The decision of young families to reside in a community is generally determined by the presence of an accredited public school. While no school district is perfect the educational achievements of the Medina ISD are impressive. Last year 96 percent of Medina’s Senior Class received high school diplomas. The national average is about 86 percent. Furthermore, Medina’s SAT scores were 40 points higher than the average in Texas and 13 points higher than the national average.
Currently 56 percent of new teachers in Texas lack traditional preparation for certification. Fifty percent of those under qualified teachers will leave the profession within five years. One reason for Medina’s higher test scores are its qualified educators who average ten years of classroom experience. Medina students also have an exceptional advantage due to a student to teacher ratio of 8:1. Experienced teachers and smaller numbers of pupils in classrooms generally result in better student performance. I make that statement based on twenty-five years in public education.
In Medina students can more readily participate in a variety of academic, athletic, and enrichment activities. The option of developing new skills and exploring personal interests produces a more rounded individual. Medina ISD also provides a comprehensive selection of college credit classes, and vocational/ technical courses for several professions.
The Institution of the Library One of the best ideas ever utilized in American society was the establishment of public libraries. The village of Medina is fortunate to have a superior example of that institution. The Medina Community Library provides services beyond reading materials. It is a major hub of the village that facilitates a sense of community among all demographics. The library schedules and hosts a wide variety of programs, events, and activities. It provides two large meeting rooms, a kitchen, and a garden area with the technology and accommodations to meet the needs of most groups.
This brief attempt to touch on a few of Medina’s many assets is clearly inadequate. It is my hope that the residents of Medina will continue to respect these institutions. The quality of life in our village will either improve or decline based upon our support of those foundational stones. My family and I consider ourselves most fortunate to live in the beautiful Hill Country of Texas and to be members of the Medina community.
Wade Parsons resides in Medina.
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