Whoa, I’m nervous. This was a big risk, wearing these heels, all of these parents, and the newly inducted National Honor Society members. Even with the nerves, I want to thank the NHS leaders for inviting me to speak today.
I was nervous from the first time I made an announcement on stage here. It was probably December of 2003, and I had been at Ravenscroft just four months. But I wanted to have the library open for exam studying on a Saturday, and someone had to get on the stage and tell everyone.
A new book out that your teachers and parents are reading is called Nurture Shock. This
book finds overwhelming statistics to prove things that teachers and parents have known all
along. Like, you would be better served by starting school at 9:30… that you don’t need to be
praised for every little thing you do… and that not accomplishing your goals on the first try
might be a good thing… I’m here to talk about another fact you already knew, as teens, you like
danger, you like taking risks. The teen brain is just wired to take big risks.
Mr. Kielty and I know this because we tried to keep up with you all on roller coasters at
Carowinds during Key Club Fall Rally a few years ago. Nauseous to the point of dread after 3
coasters, we sat on the park bench the rest of the day. But every year, students keep going to
amusement parks, there is just something about almost dying that makes you feel really good.
The books states, and I quote, “the teen brain at 15 in a nutshell – fearless to jumping off roofs,
but terrified of having its love of Nickelback exposed.” This is because at the same time that risk
is high, you are highly attuned to the opinion of your peers. Surrounded by friends, feeling
pressure, you’ll take stupid chances, just for the thrill. I’m here to channel that willingness to
scream your head off into something more useful. The National Honor Society stands on 4
pillars. Let’s discuss risk as it relates to each of these pillars.
Of course first we have SCHOLARSHIP.
How can that be risky to the point of fun, Mrs.Thrash? Well, what about learning for enjoyment? Why is everyone moaning in the halls this week, hating a class because it is hard? If you don’t like ___________ (fill in the blank with your least favorite subject) then don’t take _______________, or at least not the honors class of __________? Otherwise, enjoy what you’re learning. Research has shown you need to keep trying to learn to succeed, so embrace that risk and go for learning, and the A on the report card that usually comes with that desire to learn. It is also quite risky to leave your friends chatting about prom dates under the lockers to find a quiet place to study, but it must be done sometimes, the library isn’t too far away. (That was my shameless library plug for the day)
This leads us to CHARACTER.
Of course nothing challenges your character more than when you are tempted to do something you know is wrong when someone BEGS you do to it…. Just Say No! We didn’t teach you this back in Health class for you to forget it on the night of your first big high school party. Stay honest and get out of bad situations. This also counts for cheating, folks. Take the risk and be confident that the lower grade is better than doing something that is wrong!
Next we have LEADERSHIP.
I love Risky leaders: Leaders who aren’t afraid to speak loudly for their cause. If you believe in it enough to become the leader, be bold! Don’t get up on the stage in morning meeting and mumble, don’t put a sign-up sheet for an event in the commons and think your club is going to succeed, spread the word. Whether it is an announcement, a Facebook posting, a text, or a Tweet, you’ve got to get the word out and say, hey, throwing Frisbees after school is the coolest thing you can ever do on campus! These risky announcements let you know the leader has a sense of humor and wants YOU to participate!
Last but not least - SERVICE.
How Risky is it to be the only person to show up alone to do service? Last month on that snowy Friday night, I cancelled Warmth for Wake, only to have Riley Ray text me and say that he was chopping wood anyway. Sadly, there are people in Wake County without central heat or a stove, or without gas to run a stove. These people need wood, and if you’re not going to risk a wet road to get to the wood lot, they won’t get their heat. It is the same with any Service event. There is risk because not every event will be easy, you might have to sort potatoes at the Food Bank or drill times tables with a 3rd grader in Extended Day tutoring. In the end, it is worth it when you leave a shift at the food bank, knowing that the food will be delivered to homes today. And it’s worth it for the 3rd grader who is stressed about getting all 50 problems done on that timed -times table test- in Mrs. Phelp’s room. Take the risk, show up alone, get out and serve!
The risk paid off for me to come on stage that first time, I might have had about 8 students
come and study that December before exams. But those 8 were glad they took that risk to come
in the library for a quiet place to study. And as you leave today, think about what POSITIVE risk
taking can do for you today.
Thank you.
