Tell us your story!

Once a month I have the honor of addressing the students in the Upper Division at Casady and this morning my message focussed on students' lives as stories:

This year’s theme in chapel is STORY.

So what IS a story?

Stories can be movies, TV shows, books, video games, conversations, etc.....

And stories typically accomplish something.

Stories entertain, explain, sell, prop someone up, tear someone down.....

But there is another way to look at defining what a story really is.....

Your lives….our lives…..they are all stories.

Your life is a story….each day is a story….even individual activities can be stories.

I want to share my story with you throughout the year because there are little lessons to be learned and shared along the way.

Most of the time I haven't been aware that I was learning anything but one of the reasons I absolutely love my job is that I get opportunities to share what experience I have with you.

I've made mistakes along the way - and typically learned something.

I've been fortunate to have had some successes as an athlete, coach, teacher, friend, husband, father - and typically I have learned something.

I'll share my story/stories with you throughout the year.....

But for today I want to talk about YOUR stories.

Everyone in this theatre has a story to tell.

Some may not be comfortable telling their story and some may be too comfortable

For some of you (I'm resisting the urge to use names) you make it a point to tell me stories almost every day.

Some of you may even feel like your story is not worth telling but I’m here to tell you that one of the things that makes this school, your school, so special is that the faculty and administration want to hear your story.

You might want to share your story with a teacher or an administrator.....

When you need help.

When you have something exciting to share.

How about when it’s time to start thinking about applying to college?

There are lots of people on campus who will listen to your story.

In fact, as of today, you each have an advisor who acts as the primary point of contact for you and your parents for school related "stuff".

That doesn't mean that other faculty or administrators can't be a resource for you but it does mean that you have someone set aside to act in the role of "professional story listener".

Now, the other angle I want to take this morning when talking about you and your stories is helping you understand how and when you are telling a story.

For a lot of the adults in your lives here on campus....our stories are, to a great extent, written.

That doesn't mean that we can't change or that we won't ever do anything noteworthy again in our lives.

Instead; I want to draw attention to the advantage you have as young leaders who have the world at your fingertips and opportunities to do almost anything you want.

We want you to learn math, history, biology, etc. here at Casady School.

But as important to all of us is your ability to create and build upon your story while you're here.

I know some of the structure we put in place isn't always popular with you (dress code, demerit system, etc.) but all of that structure acts as the guardrails within which you get to construct and tell your story.....

The way you work in class....tells a story.

The way you handle adversity....tells a story.

The way you treat each other....tells a story.

The way you impact the world around you....tells a story.

Exhibiting your many talents....tells a story.

These things and many more tell us about you...they tell us who you are.

We're watching.....not because we're waiting for you to slip up.

We're watching because we care about you and we want to hear your story....so show us who you are....tell us your story...