Dear Phi Beta “Average” of High School –
Seniors are busy writing scholarship essays and I know why they are having such a hard time .they need greens and blues for motivation and all they see is the white of snow.
However long it will take – the snow will melt, spring will come, and the latest graduates of High School will enter the grown-up world. I have assisted a few students stuck with that term “writer’s block,” – the truth is the expectations are unrealistic for the majority of the “Phi Beta Averages” of the world.
Don’t worry if you don’t have a 3.9 GPA, or have not been elected to Student council, traveled to Haiti to help the orphans, or been captain of 3 sports teams and been on Varsity since the 9th grade. There is no timetable for success in this world – and who determines what your success is? I have ALWAYS wanted for my children to do their best, be kind along the way, and keep a vision on the horizon that guides you. Have an idea of your dream, the concept of what you would like to achieve as you grow, but to be flexible because life has a way of handing we humans, its own twists and turns in the road.
Coaches tend to pick their favorites in high school and often overlook the average great kid who comes to practice, works hard and truly just enjoys the sport. Now it’s a race to move up freshman to varsity – constantly building their future “stars” last time I checked in our area we have not had many super Division 1 athletes out of high school – most that I know were recruited out of HS to prep schools on scholarship. I wish coaches could stay the course and see the big picture, unfortunately few can resist the temptations. A former HS coach who is now a personal trainer, was one of the few coaches that could make every athlete feel like they mattered and truly understood the life lessons that could be obtained from being part of a team. If only coaches could appreciate the “average” athlete and appreciate their effort and reward them with recognition, respect, and adequate playing time; then the sport experience could be positive for the entire team. When you are ahead 20-1, pull your starter stars, and allow them to experience the role of a supporter, because in life they will need this skill set.
The academic stars in high school have their own unique challenges but most teachers are truly helpful to their students. If students are willing to put in the time for extra help, teachers are there for them and I applaud them. Will every student be a super star? No, but that is OK. Yes, it is OK to not be perfect just put your best effort in whatever you sign your name to.
So back to that essay and all the life lessons and choices ahead – Welcome! Welcome ”Phi Beta Averages” of the world. Don’t worry, with so many choices ahead of you the key is ”To thine own self be true.” Write that essay about your dreams, your hopes, or as one of my children’s friend’s did, your favorite tree in the backyard (it won him a scholarship!).
Most of us are “average” and we like it that way!
Marya Snow
Hudson