Don't Forget to Stretch

I heard an interesting comment the other day and I found it not only interesting but also that it really pertained to the students here at Vantage. The gentleman was describing that we should live our lives similar to that of a rubber band. Instantly I was intrigued as he began to explain what he meant. He said that a rubber band is not designed to function when it is just sitting there. It is never being used for its true purpose until it is stretched. I have seen some amazing things from our students when they truly "stretch" themselves. I have watched students who were afraid to speak in public do an amazing job when they got up in front of a classroom. Every year at graduation I watch as students give a wonderful farewell speech to their classmates, but only weeks before they said they could never get up on stage and speak. I also have been witness to several students over the years who never dreamed they could compete at the Skills USA contest, only to go on and win the entire competition.

The point I am trying to make is that everyone of these students had to get out of their comfort zone and, like a rubber band, stretch themselves. I also believe that we were not created to be complacent in our everyday life. I feel we need to get out of our comfort zone and experience new things. We were designed for so much more but we will never know how much we are capable of until we stretch ourselves. It doesn't have to be something big like moving to another country after graduation (although it could be) or wanting to go skydiving (not a chance I would do that). It could be something simple like sitting down at a lunch table with someone who is alone. Introducing yourself to a new student that you haven't met yet. There are several opportunities in your labs and in the classroom where you could do something you never saw yourself doing. How about signing up for the Poetry Out Loud contest or volunteering to represent your lab at BPA or Skills USA?

I hope you will think about stretching yourself. Maybe the next time a teacher asks for a volunteer to do something that you never saw yourself doing before, you will go ahead and raise your hand. If you feel uncomfortable, awkward or strange doing this then that is a good thing. You are growing and becoming all that you were meant to be. Well as we start our second semester, I hope you will work hard and finish strong this year. The rest of this school year will fly by and before you know it the seniors will be graduating. Remember it is not a sprint but a marathon, don't forget to stretch.