Page 140 - 1989

136
1988-
TOP LT.: Greg Samuelson - Future Olym- pic swimmer??? With hope, hard work and a dream, anything is possible!
BOT. ACROSS: Mary Henson displays her second place winning poster, Miss Swan- son's homeroom won the Summer Olym- pic competition and a fantastic pizza party! A proud first place winner , Jennifer Kinnear!
OLYMPIC CHALLENGES
THE OLYMPIANS: A QUEST FOR EXCELLENCE
In an age where a level of me- diocrity seems to be the norm, the Olympics kindle a desire within us to become excellent. The Olym- pians are to be admired not only because of their natural talent, but because of the tremendous amount of effort they give in order to excel in sport. The average per- son can learn much from these athletes' quest for excellence.
One main thing that one can learn from the Olympians is to do the best in everything one does. Whether our special field of in- terest is in school, music or sports, we should pattern ourselves after the Olympic athletes. These ath- letes give countless hours of hard work so that they can truly do their best. Sometimes we may tend to think that these athletes are all just naturals. This, in most cases, is not true. These athletes all have a desire for excellence within them to succeed. If athletes, or even non-athletes, would pattern them- selves after the Olympians to prac- tice and work like them, most peo- ple could probably perform better
in their own field of interest. Most could excel in their given fields if they had the same commitment as the Olympians.
We can also develop our char- acter by patterning ourselves like the Olympians. Being like the Olympians would probably help us rid ourselves of any laziness. Just by getting up earlier in the morn- ing, as the training Olympians do, we could improve our self- discipline. This discipline would also be reflected in everything that we do. Even though keeping this discipline in everyday life may be hard, our character would be strongly built up if we followed the Olympians' example.
The Olympians truly set an ex- cellent example for everyone with their discipline, hard work, and quest for excellence. By following the examples set by the Olympic athletes, we could become better individuals. If we could discipline ourselves and do our best in all we do, we could all be filled with a quest for excellence.
- Matthew Loveless
- Gold medal for Essay Writing
BEN
He was our idol.
We made him the one. We tempted him with gold and told him to run.
We had hoped he would win. We would be so proud.
How could he disappoint such a righteous crowd?
One day he was unknown just like you and I.
Then suddenly with speed he was our number one guy.
Now I sit back.
I reflect and I wonder. Just what kind of pressure Was poor Ben under?
You can't crack a whip and expect a smile.
You can't run in a minute the length of a mile.
Ben wanted so desperately to fulfill and succeed
he became a victim of lies, disguise and greed.
Now, instead of looking for someone to blame let's accept for a moment our well-deserved shame.
We can be better than that I hear everyone saying. Let's forgive and forget - this game we are playing.
Next time, Canada,
let's not get support confused with demand. Let's admit we were dirty and wash our hands.
Let's direct our energy toward a drug-free pride so come 1992
we'll have nothing to hidel
- Tracey Bonwlck