Decisions, Decisions!

“You'll look up and down streets. Look 'em over with care. About some you will say, “I don't choose to go there.” With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet, you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.”

-Oh the Places You'll Go!, Dr. Seuss

A year ago there were two things that I thought I knew. First of all, a university was not in mind for me and it was all about Mesa Community College. Second of all, out of all three universities in the state NAU would be my last option. It's crazy how plans change because here I am now looking forward to attending Northern Arizona University as a Lumberjack in the fall.

In the beginning of this year I suddenly gained the urge to go on to a University. I realized the expenses of a University, but I felt as if it was more than a possibility for me. I wanted to be a Sundevil more than ever and Arizona State University seemed like the ideal choice for me there for a minute. Once again the plan shifted a little and I was between the decision of ASU and NAU. I would have never thought that I would be making the decision between these two colleges. With a lot of thought between the two colleges, I finally made the decision this week and I am happily content with the decision that I have made. Although I wanted to pursue college at Arizona State next fall, NAU seemed to make more sense to me. I will not experience life in the valley like I hoped to at the beginning of the year, but I plan on a great experience in a place where I feel is right for me.

Like I said, NAU seems to be the best fit for me but there is one thing that will kill me in Flag and that is the weather. But I am sure it will be just fine. I was always told that senior year is your easiest year but is it really? I mean, we have to decide what's next after we graduate and I have learned that this is not so easy. Trying to find the college that fits you best or the life that you want to live is a pretty complicated decision! I am sure that several of us seniors have faced this already or still trying to decide the next step in life. I have also learned that the decision will come to you and everything will work out how it is meant to be. (This is coming from the girl who was anti-NAU a year ago!)

So to sum up this weeks lesson: plans change! They may not always be what we want or expect the outcome to be but we gotta know what is best for us. When you have no idea what to decide or even do, the answers will come to you and you will know. For my peers who have decided the next step after graduation whether it is college, the armed forces, or work, congratulations and good luck! To my undecided peers...good luck to you and answers are closer than you think. :)

Little Heroes. Big Hearts

“Life has many different chapters for us. One bad chapter doesn't mean the end of the book.”

-Unknown

How can someone so young who has gone through horrid experiences in her life be more alive than most of us? This is the primary thought that kept running through my mind as we met with 10-year-old leukemia hero, Amber.

First of all, I am ecstatic about our first annual Mr. Roadrunner pageant that is coming up here in March. The grand pageant is getting closer and closer and my excitement is getting bigger and bigger. It truly has been an amazing thing to see the participation and creativity that has come from our students here at Holbrook High! Through the small but significant actions that our students are performing, we are making a difference in several lives, and this is beautiful. Now for the famous eight Mr. Roadrunner contestants-I CANNOT wait to see them on that stage! As a part of this special experience, this past Monday we were honored to meet with one of the wonderful Leukemia heroes, Amber. It was a day that I will always remember.

She and her family walked into Chili's and I didn't know what to expect from this ten-year-old girl who had suffered from leukemia at such a young age. There she was as she automatically illustrated the spirit she had inside her along with a delightful smile. If it wasn't for her glass eye on her precious face that hinted me on a little of her past I would have never known that she suffered from leukemia! Amber was quite the character and her she had enough optimism there for us all. To hear her story and to come to know that she got diagnosed at the age of two was tragic but to see her so alive and complacent about life was unforgettable.

Bad days happen to us all. Sometimes we wonder if things are gonna keep getting worse. Then a situation like Amber is reminded to us and suddenly our bad day is nothing compared to the life and experiences that she has lived or is living. Many of us spent our childhood playing outside or learning in our elementary classes while many children like Amber spend their childhood in a hospital room, which in their eyes, become known as their temporary home. When I saw the hope that this young lady demonstrated to us on that day she helped me remember the significance of life and the happiness that exists in each day. When Ashley and I interviewed Amber's mom, we asked her if she would change anything about Amber's cancer. She replied with a smile, “I wouldn't change anything. This whole experience with the cancer made us who we are today.”

I am dedicating this week's blog to Miss Amber. I loved the way she dealt with her past and the way she accepted it. Most importantly, I loved her outlook on life. There may be little problems we face in life, but we must look on the optimistic side of things, just like Amber would do. Smiling never hurt anyone; it only makes the world a better place.

Thank you Amber for being someone I can look up to for strength and even a simple reminder on how precious life is. I am looking forward to seeing you at the pageant as our 8 SENIOR contestants show their beauty just like you did for us. :)

Lean On Me.

"It doesn't matter where you came from, but it matters where you are going."
-Josh Shipp

I remember us in eighth grade feelin' like we ruled the school. We were big and tough and that was a good feeling. That year in our lives came to an end as we entered the high school and we no longer ruled the school. Back when we looked at seniors differently and THEY ruled the school. I remember looking at some of those seniors and imagining what I would be like my senior year. Well not much has changed for me! I'm still 5'2, I am a little smarter, and a lot more stressed. :-) But over the years, I have seen the transformation and growing up that my classmates have experienced since freshman year.

This past weekend I attended my first and last AASC Convention down in the valley. Fifteen hundred student council members from around Arizona came together at Cactus High School to bond, discuss leadership, and PARTY! From magical sky divers to astonishing fireworks, and from extreme attire to SWAG (free stuff) , it was a great experience. Throughout the convention, we sat in the gym listening to several inspirational speakers. Several points throughout each speech stuck with me and every speaker mentioned that we, the student council members, are the leaders of our school.

But looking outside of student council I see several leaders throughout our school, many of them being seniors. (Whoot, whooot! :)) I enter my classes with nothing but leaders surrounding me. Our senior class is filled with many intelligent people who are willing to help each other succeed when they are struggling, and this is a beautiful thing. I see leaders throughout our athletics! I laugh when people say small town athletes don't get recognized as much. It doesn't matter the city or town you live in because if you are talented you will get recognized wherever you are. Our athletic programs have been doing an outstanding job this winter season and the victories have been produced by a team effort which of course, have been led by the LEADERS. The teammates who spread the good attitude are the ones their team can rely on and attitude is like wildfire; a negative attitude can tear down great talent where an optimistic attitude can be the key to winning opportunities.

I have come across the word LEADER way too many times this year, between school and scholarships. But leadership is a big deal and we are lucky to have a backbone of support through our struggles and our accomplishments as well.

This weeks blog is summed up to leadership as I take time this week to recognize the amazing leaders throughout our school. Whether it's spreading optimism to your team and to your fans or even making a simple effort to help your peers in any way, you are a leader making a difference and keep that in mind. Take pride in your good deeds and continue to do the small actions that play a big role in your life and the lives of others.

P.S.

Congratulations RJ, 2x STATE CHAMPION!!! You are a very talented young man. And for our girls and boys basketball teams...keeping working for the victories. Much love seniors.

Be Hopeful For HOPE.

"There is fun to be done,there are points to be scored, there are games to be won.
And the magical things you can do with that ball will make you the winning-est winner of all."

-Oh the Places You'll Go!, Dr. Seuss

 

Basketball Senior night was held this past Tuesday which was a night to remember for two reasons. The first reason being that I watched 25 wonderful seniors being presented on that court from the boys basketball team, girls basketball team, and the spirit line. A large amount of seniors, I think yes! The last home game for many of those gifted athletes. And for the second reason and highlight of the night, the gym stood applauding as we honored our dearly loved Mr. McNamee. A man that we all look up too and who has played a beautiful role in many of our lives. "You never realize how much you are loved", this incredible man told me as he shed some of the many tears that night. Mr. McNamee is my inspiration for this weeks blog. He is a man full of hope and has a heart of gold. Like Gage would say, "One day at a time", and this saying is dedicated to both Mr. McNamee and for our gifted athletes throughout these next couple of weeks.

Our girls and boys basketball teams are getting ready to face the end of the 2011-2012 basketball season. Another successful season completed by both teams as they prepare for the grand journey of state. Seeing all the talent and tremendous abilities that each member on both teams have, gives me butterflies in my tummy...

Our boys basketball team is currently first in the state and our girls sixth. Both teams have experienced a season that dealt with exciting victories and dreadful loses, and whether your first in the state or last, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. I get those butterflies in my tummy when I see each talented individual come together as a team to accomplish wonders. So we must not look back at the past, but look ahead to what is to come.

"Things are going great for me", Mr. McNamee says with a smile on his face every time a pay him a visit. Words that never fail to be grand news and something that always puts a smile on my face. He wakes up each day a little more hopeful that things will keep getting better for him and this is something that I strongly admire about him. This man, which has experienced tremendous changes and extremely harmful cancers, is still hopeful! What an inspiration to us all...I am thankful for people like him in my life.

The lesson of this week's blog is summed up to one word....HOPE!  Let us all be hopeful that great things are yet to come. I wish our wrestlers good luck for those who are attending state this weekend, greats things are on your way! To our girls and boys basketball teams-one game at a time! Have hope in yourself to accomplish what needs to be done and most importantly, believe in the incredible talent your team has. To my dear seniors, be the leaders of your team. It is Your last season of either wrestling, boys basketball, or girls basketball. SOO, end on a good note :)