Story by: Lindsey Nield and Hannah Truelson Picture by: Braxton Cover and Brenden Geiselhardt
The word “success” often conjures images of expensive mansions, sports cars, and camera flashes; yet, success can mean various things to different people, created from their own past, beliefs, and experiences.
For one student, being accepted to CSU is a success, whereas another student would view success as being accepted to Yale. Still for others, getting to school on time is a victory.
As ThunderRidge students, we strive to find our own versions of success every day.
Senior Amelia Price believes that success is “being happy with what you are doing in life.” In contrast, senior Madeline LaMee thinks that “personal fulfillment is a better success than monetary gain.”
Social studies teacher Diann Shultz says that success is “contributing to society in a meaningful way to make it a better place, which is why I work with kids.”
We all have different goals; some of us want to cure cancer, while others just focus on waking up in the morning. Success can vary from small to large goals, but that does not mean that the small ones are less valid.
Still, the pressure that society places on young people to be traditionally successful--having money, fame, a job--often invalidates these smaller goals. The focus on recognition of these traditional notions of success diminishes our recognition of our “smaller” successes. We must learn to value getting a good grade on an assignment, finishing that season on Netflix, or going for a run; they may not matter in the long run, but they bring happiness in the now.
Society also teaches us to look down upon failure. However, failures propel us toward success. Failure allows us to learn from mistakes and equips us with the ability and knowledge to succeed in the future. We should embrace failure as being a step towards success, not a step backwards.
Coming from an affluent community and attending one of the top schools in the nation, many ThunderRidge students are already set up for success in ways that they don’t even realize. Because of this, our view of success is often held to a loftier standard. Yet, we should not diminish other people’s notions of success, because they do not have the same opportunities given to them.
For example, many ThunderRidge students grow up with the monetary means and the parental expectation to attend college, making it seem like less of a success. For other less affluent students, college is often out of reach, and getting into and attending any college is a major victory.
Success comes in many forms, but being our personal definition of success is always a challenge.
So how can we become successful?
Shultz advises, “Find your passion, do your best in everything that you do, treat everyone in a dignified way, share to the world whatever you have, and be giving of yourself, time, and talents.”
In this issue of The Growl, we provide some tips that can help get you on the path to success -- no matter what that is.
For one student, being accepted to CSU is a success, whereas another student would view success as being accepted to Yale. Still for others, getting to school on time is a victory.
As ThunderRidge students, we strive to find our own versions of success every day.
Senior Amelia Price believes that success is “being happy with what you are doing in life.” In contrast, senior Madeline LaMee thinks that “personal fulfillment is a better success than monetary gain.”
Social studies teacher Diann Shultz says that success is “contributing to society in a meaningful way to make it a better place, which is why I work with kids.”
We all have different goals; some of us want to cure cancer, while others just focus on waking up in the morning. Success can vary from small to large goals, but that does not mean that the small ones are less valid.
Still, the pressure that society places on young people to be traditionally successful--having money, fame, a job--often invalidates these smaller goals. The focus on recognition of these traditional notions of success diminishes our recognition of our “smaller” successes. We must learn to value getting a good grade on an assignment, finishing that season on Netflix, or going for a run; they may not matter in the long run, but they bring happiness in the now.
Society also teaches us to look down upon failure. However, failures propel us toward success. Failure allows us to learn from mistakes and equips us with the ability and knowledge to succeed in the future. We should embrace failure as being a step towards success, not a step backwards.
Coming from an affluent community and attending one of the top schools in the nation, many ThunderRidge students are already set up for success in ways that they don’t even realize. Because of this, our view of success is often held to a loftier standard. Yet, we should not diminish other people’s notions of success, because they do not have the same opportunities given to them.
For example, many ThunderRidge students grow up with the monetary means and the parental expectation to attend college, making it seem like less of a success. For other less affluent students, college is often out of reach, and getting into and attending any college is a major victory.
Success comes in many forms, but being our personal definition of success is always a challenge.
So how can we become successful?
Shultz advises, “Find your passion, do your best in everything that you do, treat everyone in a dignified way, share to the world whatever you have, and be giving of yourself, time, and talents.”
In this issue of The Growl, we provide some tips that can help get you on the path to success -- no matter what that is.