Students Help Focus on the Positive

It has been a true blessing to have been in the education business for 30 years.  The adage that ‘you won’t work a day in your life if you truly love what you do’ has certainly meant more to me than just a mere cliché.

Being around young people and witnessing their optimism and pure joy for life is something I get to enjoy every single day.  Not everyone gets this opportunity, and it has been a pleasure and honor to be part of the lives of these students.  I sincerely thank the Vermilion community for this privilege. 

A recent conversation at a football game with sophomore student Devan DeWitt reminded me of how fortunate I am to be around young people who have so much enthusiasm for life and already have some of the most important qualities and virtues that will make them exceptional.  Devan is an example of what is great about our city and country.   He told me that he loves history and has a passion for reading, researching and studying the subject.  He said his love for history was inspired by teachers Mr. Duray and Mrs. Lutz, but he enjoys all of his other teachers as well.  Because of their example he has a goal of becoming a teacher himself.  When he made that statement I could tell he was speaking from the bottom of his heart.  I couldn’t help but feel pride in the job our staff is doing to make Devan feel and believe this way about the possibility of becoming a teacher. 

As the conversation continued we talked about the steps Devan would take to accomplish his objective.  He told me the plans he has to reach his goals and I have no doubt that he will make it, because he believes he can.  I am sure that he will also have countless teachers, staff and community members who will be there to help him realize his dream. 

Devan also talked about our city.  If anyone could be appointed ambassador for Vermilion he would certainly be on top of the list of candidates.  His exact words were, “Vermilion is the best place on the planet to live! I would never want to live anywhere else! It would be my dream to get my teaching degree and come back to teach in the town I love.”  He has evidently captured some of the inspiration and “service above self” mentality that is so unique to Vermilion. 

Devan has been a team manager for the basketball team since 7^th grade.   He takes on this job with enthusiasm and a determination to be helpful.  Head basketball coach Kurt Habermehl described Devan as “one of the most positive people” he ever met.  Coach Habermehl said that Devan takes his job seriously.  He comes prepared for each and every practice and game.  He makes it hard for all the coaches and players to stay down after a loss because he always has a smile on his face.  He reminds them, “Don’t worry, you did your best and it will be better next time.”  Coach Habermehl looked at me and said, “How can you be upset when you have someone like him around?”  He also said that Devan’s team members are fiercely protective of him because of what his positive influence means to them as a team. 

This was not my first conversation with Devan, and without exception I have found him to be positive and kind.  Each time I observe him from a distance he displays these qualities.  It is not just an act he puts on only for adults.  He is sincerely kind and polite with everyone he meets.  It is a terrific benefit of my job to be associated with students like Devan.  It is also comforting to know that he, like many of our other students, has a positive outlook and is focusing on the things that really matter. 

Prior to publishing this article I thought it would be appropriate to call Devan’s home for permission to share my thoughts about him.  The conversation with his grandmother left a deep impression, as I could feel the love and respect that she has for her grandchild.  She told me that Devan and his grandfather, who died of cancer last year, had a very special relationship.  Devan was always the “co-pilot” when they traveled in the car, and was a great help to his grandfather.  It is inspiring that, even with the difficult experience of losing a loving grandparent, Devan still remains positive and looks forward to a bright future. 

At this time of year, when we have a presidential election that seems to focus on negativity, it is encouraging to know that there is good teaching going on by our valuable teachers, and learning exists not only in core subjects, but also in the values that are equally important in life. After having conversations like this with students I believe there is reason for optimism that our country is still in good hands.  I invite you to witness this for yourself by visiting our schools for a tour, joining students for lunch, or attending any of our special and extra-curricular events.  You will see that your support of public schools is money well spent.  You help teachers, staff and students who are working hard. The lessons learned in our schools are not just the fundamentals of science, math and English, but also positive life skills that will stay with our students as they become the future leaders and lifelong learners of our community.