EDUCATION

Education helps one cease being intimidated by strange situations.

—Maya Angelou

What holds some of our young people back is a feeling of intimidation—the sense that they do not have the stuff inside to enter the game and compete. But instead of acknowledging their insecurities, they make excuses: “Life is stacked against me; I’d like a chance to score, but `they’ won’t give me the ball.â€

We cannot underestimate the importance of an education, which affords our children a knowledge of themselves and a recognition of their strength and abilities. Good attendance is not enough; confidence cannot be gained by merely “showing up.†Through active involvement, our children will discover they can not only adapt to new situations but thrive in them.

Call to Action: On this day, I will take five minutes to talk to my child about the importance of speaking up in class and in life. For, as the lottery slogan goes—you got to be in it to win it.