Find your path, give back, and make good choices
Mr. Stack's message to studnets in March of 2011:
You will find as you go through life that certain phrases and quotes will stay with you and inspire you in everything you do. For me, I am inspired by the quote “find your path, give back, and make good choices.” About seven years ago, when I was a math teacher at Andover High School in Massachusetts, a really good friend of mine named Peter Arthur passed away suddenly, leaving behind his wife and two-year-old son. Peter was a very young and popular teacher at AHS for staff and students alike. He was also in extremely good health. He always challenged his students to think beyond the walls of his classroom and look for ways to do good for others. His motto for life was simple, and he shared it with everyone he met: Find your path in life, give back to your community, and above all, make good choices. These words stick with me to this day in everything I do.
Recently, I have been inspired by those of you who have exemplified the words Peter lived by. Community service is alive and well at Sanborn. Two major Sanborn events come to mind:
In February a group of students and staff members participated in the Penguin Plunge at Hampton Beach. Each person raised $150 dollars to have the right to jump into the freezing waters of the Atlantic Ocean, but their efforts helps raise over $670,000 for the Special Olympics. Sanborn received a trophy as the top-fundraiser in our division. This is a huge honor! Over February vacation, 16 students traveled with Mrs. DeAngelis to work on a Habitat for Humanity project in West Virginia. Habitat for Humanity builds homes for low-income family using donated materials and labor.
Both of these events remind us of the impact that a major community service effort can have, but community service doesn’t have to be a big event. There are countless ways that you can give back every day. You could start in your very own neighborhood by helping a neighbor shovel their snow or clean up their yard. Take this to another level and participate in a small fundraiser at a school, church, or other organization. You’ll feel better about yourself, you’ll be giving back to your community, but most importantly, you’ll be making a difference.
You will find as you go through life that certain phrases and quotes will stay with you and inspire you in everything you do. For me, I am inspired by the quote “find your path, give back, and make good choices.” About seven years ago, when I was a math teacher at Andover High School in Massachusetts, a really good friend of mine named Peter Arthur passed away suddenly, leaving behind his wife and two-year-old son. Peter was a very young and popular teacher at AHS for staff and students alike. He was also in extremely good health. He always challenged his students to think beyond the walls of his classroom and look for ways to do good for others. His motto for life was simple, and he shared it with everyone he met: Find your path in life, give back to your community, and above all, make good choices. These words stick with me to this day in everything I do.
Recently, I have been inspired by those of you who have exemplified the words Peter lived by. Community service is alive and well at Sanborn. Two major Sanborn events come to mind:
In February a group of students and staff members participated in the Penguin Plunge at Hampton Beach. Each person raised $150 dollars to have the right to jump into the freezing waters of the Atlantic Ocean, but their efforts helps raise over $670,000 for the Special Olympics. Sanborn received a trophy as the top-fundraiser in our division. This is a huge honor! Over February vacation, 16 students traveled with Mrs. DeAngelis to work on a Habitat for Humanity project in West Virginia. Habitat for Humanity builds homes for low-income family using donated materials and labor.
Both of these events remind us of the impact that a major community service effort can have, but community service doesn’t have to be a big event. There are countless ways that you can give back every day. You could start in your very own neighborhood by helping a neighbor shovel their snow or clean up their yard. Take this to another level and participate in a small fundraiser at a school, church, or other organization. You’ll feel better about yourself, you’ll be giving back to your community, but most importantly, you’ll be making a difference.
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