School year brings opportunity for greatness

By Reginald Rogers
Paraglide




Each year, somewhere between Aug. 1 and Sept. 2, it happens.

Notebooks, paper and backpacks fill the shelves of area shopping outlets. Big, yellow school buses take up spaces in traffic that have been filled for three summer months by speeding commuters, while you spend your hard-earned bucks on new jeans, polo shirts, sneakers or, quite possibly, uniforms, just to marvel at how cute your child looks while he or she’s waiting for the bus.

Parents, you can now breathe. School is in session.

(Exhale here)

The 2010-2011 school year began last week as Cumberland County schools opened their doors to a new class of students, who are destined for greatness. I say this from the heart, as this year also marks the senior year of my son, who is the youngest of my kids.

As parents, we always want the best for our children. Regardless of the cost, the amount of energy expended, or the effort it takes to achieve it. Let’s face it; we want our kids to have what we didn’t.

I can’t count the times my ex-wife and I have shelled out big bucks to ensure that our children had a certain kind of North Face jacket, Air Jordan sneakers or custom-made football cleats from NikeID.com. We knew they would be expensive, but that’s what they “needed” and it’s a parent’s responsibility to take care of the needs of their children, right?

I’ve often wondered if we were alone in overindulging our kids with expensive gifts, clothing, electronics and recreational activities. For a long time, I felt like the sideline dad who lived his dreams of becoming a football star through his son. But I’m not. I just want him to be able to go places and wear clothing that I was never able to afford.

Even with my daughter, I want her to be able to take trips, because I couldn’t afford to do it when I was growing up.

In all honesty, my kids have done things and been places that I have yet to go. That can be attributed to the fact that their mother is also a government employee, who has had many assignments to great places.

It’s true — we strive to ensure the best for our children, but at what expense? Are we teaching them to have little value for material things? Or, are we teaching them that material things can be replaced, it’s better to enjoy life.

Also, at what point do we start to see the returns on the dividends spent throughout their 18 and 19 years? I’d like to think I’m a good parent, so I really don’t expect any payback for myself.
However, I would love to see these same children in whom we have great investment, go out and make a positive difference in society. I’ve always told them and I continue to stress it today — always have a Plan B, as in backup.

It’s great to have dreams. The success of every great person in our history began as a dream. I firmly believe that if you can dream it, you can achieve it. The power of the human mind is limitless. Innovation was born from an idea. From that idea, a plan was developed and from that plan, action was taken to create a product, which eventually spawned other ideas. It’s a continuing cycle.

The point to that analogy is directed to our children. Set realistic goals for yourselves and work to achieve them. For example, if you dream of becoming a doctor; set that as your goal. Then, find out what steps you should take to achieve it. Regardless of the path you take in life, keep your eye on the prize. If you have to join the military to get money to go to college, to become a doctor, remember, your goal remains the same. If you must first, attend junior college to get your grades up, before enrolling in a university to study medicine, in the end, your goals are still unchanged. The point I’m making is that: regardless of the road you travel, if you keep your eye on the prize, you will eventually reach your destination.

As the school year begins, I would like to send best wishes to the students, faculty and parents of the following schools, with the first-ever Paraglide roll call:

Good luck to:
Bowley Elementary School “Bobcats”
Butner Elementary School “Bears”
Devers Elementary School “Dolphins”
Gordon Elementary School “Patriots”
Holbrook Elementary School “Eagles”
McNair Elementary School
Murray Elementary School
Pope Elementary School
Irwin Intermediate School
The Albritton Junior High School “Bulldogs”
The E.E. Smith High School, “Golden Bulls”
The Overhills High School “Jaguars”
The Westover High School “Wolverines”
The Terry Sanford High School “Bulldogs”
The Douglas Byrd High School “Eagles”
The Jack Britt High School “Buccaneers”
The 71st Senior High School “Falcons”
The Pine Forest High School “Trojans”
The Cape Fear High School “Colts”
The Gray’s Creek High School “Bears”
The South View High School “Tigers”
Reid Ross Classical High School
Massey Hill Classical High School
Cross Creek Early College High School
The Hoke County High School “Fighting Bucks”
The Pinecrest High School “Patriots”
And last but not least, my alma mater
The Scotland High School “Fighting Scots

To the students, I challenge each of you to make this year the best that Cumberland and surrounding county schools have ever had in all areas. Whether it’s in the academic arena or on the athletic playing fields, strive to be your best and realize that you are part of a bigger team. Remember, your choices may have consequences for many others. Make smart choices and have a safe and enjoyable year.

To the parents, continue to do the intangibles that will ensure that your kids are well prepared for the future. After all, they are our future leaders. Best of luck on a successful school year. Until next time.