AndyAndy’’s Big Race s Big Race

Moral CourageMoral Courage

PerseverancePerseverance

Grades 6-12Grades 6-12

This is Andy. Andy is a positive and This is Andy. Andy is a positive and motivated 6motivated 6thth grade student. He is grade student. He is learning about making positive learning about making positive choices in school for Red Ribbon choices in school for Red Ribbon Month! Month!

Andy and his class were told that they Andy and his class were told that they needed to make a list of one short needed to make a list of one short term goal and one long term goal term goal and one long term goal that they wanted to work towards. that they wanted to work towards.

Andy isnAndy isn’’t very athletic and gets t very athletic and gets picked on sometimes for being the picked on sometimes for being the ““smallsmall”” kid in gym class. He kid in gym class. He appreciates his friends in class when appreciates his friends in class when they stick up for him and tell others they stick up for him and tell others not to make fun of him! not to make fun of him!

His friends say to others that His friends say to others that although Andy is smaller than other although Andy is smaller than other students, his brain is bigger than students, his brain is bigger than others and his grades show for that! others and his grades show for that!

Because Andy thinks that he isnBecause Andy thinks that he isn’’t t great at sports, he picked running in great at sports, he picked running in a race for his short term goal. He a race for his short term goal. He wants to prove everyone else wrong wants to prove everyone else wrong and work hard at practicing this new and work hard at practicing this new skill.skill.

Andy chose wanting to go to college Andy chose wanting to go to college and become a counselor as his long and become a counselor as his long term goal. He said he wants to step term goal. He said he wants to step up and help others that may need up and help others that may need some extra help. some extra help.

To meet his short term goal, Andy To meet his short term goal, Andy practiced each day! He jogged for a practiced each day! He jogged for a mile each night after school. mile each night after school.

He was focused on his goal, even He was focused on his goal, even though he felt like giving up a few though he felt like giving up a few times. His legs were so shaky and times. His legs were so shaky and sore the next few days, but he kept sore the next few days, but he kept on going! on going!

Andy also made sure to eat healthy Andy also made sure to eat healthy for breakfast, lunch, dinner and for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. He created a chart to show snacks. He created a chart to show his progress and how much further his progress and how much further he could run after his practice.he could run after his practice.

The race was in two days, and Andy The race was in two days, and Andy wanted to make sure that people wanted to make sure that people from his school were there to watch. from his school were there to watch. He told his friends in school that he He told his friends in school that he was running in a race, and word got was running in a race, and word got around. around.

The students who picked on Andy for The students who picked on Andy for being being ““smallsmall”” joined him at the race joined him at the race and said that they were sorry for and said that they were sorry for ever making fun of him. Andy ever making fun of him. Andy showed confidence and showed confidence and determination and was ready to run! determination and was ready to run!

It took courage for Andy to run in this It took courage for Andy to run in this race, especially with students from race, especially with students from his school there to watch. his school there to watch.

With practice and perseverance, With practice and perseverance, Andy was able to tie for 4Andy was able to tie for 4thth place! His place! His family and friends were so proud of family and friends were so proud of Andy for sticking with his goal! Andy for sticking with his goal!

Now that Andy completed his short Now that Andy completed his short term goal, he is going to STRIVE to term goal, he is going to STRIVE to continue practicing new skills. Now- continue practicing new skills. Now- onto working towards college and onto working towards college and becoming a great counselor! becoming a great counselor!

Moral of the Story! Moral of the Story! Moral CourageMoral CouragePerseverancePerseverance

Admit your mistakes, say you are sorry, learn, and move on.Help the person others are bullying or being meanTry your hardestStay focused on goals, don’t give upPractice new skills until you get them right