Superintendent’s Chat

Richard McClements, Shonto Preparatory School

 

I am assuming that just about every student realizes the tremendous importance of learning to use the computer and being able to access the Internet.  Life in the years to come will require each of us to be Internet savvy.  Because you know that, you will most likely make the effort to learn.

 

If I were 13 years old, I would think that I would want to focus in developing in the following areas:

  1. I would want to have a broad vocabulary.  I realize that the depth of my vocabulary has a tremendous impact on my ability to write and communicate.
  2. I would want to be an avid reader.  I understand that the more I read about various topics, the more well-rounded and knowledgeable I am.
  3. I would want to have a magnetic personality.  I would want as many people as possible to like me and want to be in my company.
  4. I would want to be physically fit.  This would help me attract girls, live a healthy life, and be a good athlete.
  5. I would participate in every sport possible even if I were not on the starting squad.
  6. I would be active in the school by being in clubs, drama, and politics.
  7. I would want to make my parents proud of me.
  8. I would start thinking of a career that would fascinate me.  I love being in education, but if I were to pick other careers to investigate, it would be in the police, military, or as a forensic scientist to use my skills to solve crimes.
  9. I would start picking life-long hobbies – things that give me joy during my periods of recreation.  Golf is a great hobby, but I would also think of chess, places I want to visit, and photography.  I might also train for race-walking competitions.
  10. I would want to better understand the two major political parties and develop my own party affiliation rather than voting the way my parents always have.
  11. I would want to want to develop my own signature as a teenager, such as how I wore my hair, the colors of clothes, or perhaps my own slang words.
  12. I would avoid doing those things that I know are wrong for me, such as drugs or alcohol.
  13. I would select a favorite pro football team and learn everything there is to learn about that team.  I would stick with them through thick and thin.
  14. I would try to watch as many new TV shows when they first come out to find those that really appeal to me.
  15. I would try to go to every movie that is being nominated for an academy award.  That way, I would see the very best.
  16. I want find a music star that appealed to me and then attempt to get all of his or her music.
  17. I would want to learn as much as possible each day of school.
  18. I would learn to be thankful and grateful for each day and all that life gives.  I would understand that if I could do that, I would be far happier.
  19. I would want to develop a strong sense of faith and would read the Bible regularly.
  20. I would learn to be a goal setter and establish things that I wanted to accomplish.  Once I achieved a goal, I would set a new one or set that old one higher.
  21. I would start a savings account for the used car I would hope to get when I was 16.
  22. I would want to have a dog.
  23. I would want to learn as much as possible (if I were Navajo) about my culture and family history.
  24. I would want to learn some form of the martial arts.
  25. I would want to have a perfect complexion and avoid eating things that caused me problems.
  26. I would want to have perfect teeth and be a fanatic about brushing my teeth and avoiding sugars.
  27. I would go to every school event and watch my friends performing.
  28. I would want to master math, science, and English so I have the prerequisites to excel in any college course of studies.
  29. I would work hard to set some type of school record.
  30. I would want to understand body language so I could know the effect that I was having on people.
  31. I would want to learn to play the guitar.
  32. I would want to learn to help others when I knew they needed help.
  33. I would look at myself constantly and ask what do I need to do to become a better person.

 

I once was 13.  I didn’t do all of those things.  I wish I had.