Author hopes to inspire high school seniors

McNAIRY COUNTY, Tenn. — At 85 years old, Tom Hendrix is hoping to inspire the McNairy County senior class.

“We think this can be a guide to a more fruitful, successful life in service to the American people,” Hendrix said.

Monday morning at McNairy Central High School, Hendrix stood in front of the Class of 2016.

“The high school seniors only see just a little bit of their life, and they leave here, they go into a complicated world with all the choices of what they’re going to do with their life,” Hendrix said.

Nineteen stories are compiled into notebooks, a group of short autobiographies. All are current or former McNairy County residents who have done something unique after graduation. Hendrix hopes these stories will serve as life lessons and inspiration for years to come.

“I want them to leave this school as a need-filler, get good at fulfilling the needs of the American people,” Hendrix said. “They can take your job, but they can’t take your God-given ability, your successful mindset.”

Hendrix said a successful mindset will fuel a lifetime of accomplishments.

“A life of service, reaching your personal goals and living your dream — that’s the mindset of a successful person,” Hendrix said.

Seniors from both McNairy County high schools will graduate May 19 and 20. Hendrix will be returning to McNairy Central on Thursday to discuss with these students what they learned from the notebooks.