Academic Supremacy II: Efforts & Abilities

This is the second chapter of my previous blog entitled “Academic Supremacy”. In my last weblog chapter, I talked boldly about grade levels and them being separated into five teams from A-E, which I believe to be irrational, and some of the students boasted to be smarter than the other; but inwardly, they were filled with hypocrisy. I used to be a hypocritical person who boasted to be smarter and better, and my instructor and my friend had to correct me for it. That was the time when I was in elementary school in the fifth and sixth grade. But more important than this introduction, I want to talk about another event that has happened in my middle school times. This is just an article of a brief rant which was on my mind I want to share for the moment. So allow me to walk with you though this rant…

On a school day, I was paying attention to the morning announcements given by the Student Council; which were broadcasting on every television on channel 6 during morning throughout the school building. They mentioned a program called “No Pass, No Play”, which was some contest. It wasn’t some typical contest, but it was very different though. It was sort of like one person winning the lottery, but this has nothing to with money. The rules stated that each classwork and homework we accomplish, we get a ticket with our names on them to be placed in the drawing. One month later, a staff pulls from the drawing, the continuous snare of the drum roll sounds, and only one person is the winner, and the prize was a “Sony PlayStation 2”. Winning a contest is a good thing, but there was no consolation prize for the rest of the students though. So it was basically like, “Many Will Enter, One Will Win.” Though it was a good thing that they kept us focused on our work assignments in school, but there was only one prize for only one person. Even though hundreds of students entered the contest, only one is the winner. When they was announcing the pulling of the winner after the drum roll, They showed the Sony PlayStation 2 presented as a winners’ trophy. I think it was good for the school to keep us focused on our tasks. Speaking of tasks, I have everyday tasks like maintaining my aluminum can collection, my penny and loose change collection, and whole lots more. I believe that every person of the human race has special tasks, just like God Almighty has given every man the measure of faith (the ability to believe). As Christians, we are called by God to serve Him. Thankfully, we are saved by the Grace of God through our Faith in Jesus Christ our Lord, Savior, and Master, Since I am a Bible-believing Christian, I am here to please God, not man. We are on this earth for a reason.

“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” - Romans 12:3 [King James Bible]

So after it was all said and done, everyone gave it their best shot. Being a doer of tasks is a lot better than sitting around doing nothing. Speaking of “No Pass, No Play”, it was a Texas legislature that came in power on August 8, 1985, which was proposed by Ross Perot, and was signed into law by Mark White, who was the Governor of Texas at the time. So; in order for the students to participate in extracurricular activities, they must have a passing grade in all of their classes. No failing grade whatsoever, not even one F. It has been said. “Education Comes First”. In my opinion; it also means “Work First, Play Later”. I happen to agree with this policy. In case you didn’t know, this policy has been carried out in the state of Georgia, the state where I reside. It is like earning alms and money. You worked hard for it, you are in a good spirit to receive what you worked for. Even if people sometimes enter any physical contest but don’t win, their efforts and abilities were the core values of life, and they remain important today to us as humans. They are important to our everyday lives. I have been in a number of contests throughout my educational years. I’ve on Third Place in the Spelling Bee when I was in the sixth grade in elementary school. When I was in high school, I entered the Black History essay writing and drawing contests, but I didn’t win, but in 2005, I received honors from my History teacher, which was good. Give it your best shot; it is better than not trying at all. Efforts and Abilities are better than money!

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” - Ecclesiastes 9:10 [King James Bible]

Sometimes you enter a contest to win something you desire. Even if you don’t win, you still have your efforts and abilities. At the end of the day, all you did was your best. It is better than being a couch potato and refusing to try. Thank you all for listening to me. God Bless.

-VIC