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Mini background story before I get to the actual post....for those of you that read this and have no idea who "my Minions" are or why their grades are important to me...
I work at NOSC OKC and the Oklahoma City area Sea Cadet program uses our building for their drills. Their drill weekends usually match up with our drill weekends so there are smallish children running around the building in modified Navy uniforms all weekend long. I am the Sea Cadet Liaison at the NOSC which means that I am the buffer between the Sea Cadet program and Big Navy. If they need something they ask me and I take it to my chain of command and try to make it happen.
I call the Cadets my Minions. The Cadets call me their Honey Badger. It works.
In order to have a place in the Sea Cadet program each Minion must keep their grades up. If they don't....they are no longer able to be in the Sea Cadets and therefore....no longer able to be a Minion. I like Minions. Minions help me keep my sanity during drill. The more Minions I have the happier I am and I do not want to lose any because they can't get their grades up.
Mini background story complete..... On to the real purpose of this post.
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Dear Minions,
You have had numerous people yelling at you, preaching to you and pleading with you about getting your grades up. I am not just talking to those of you with failing grades...I am talking to everyone. (Even if you have a B...that B could be an A.)
I have told you that I will help you with your classes and I mean that. I am not the best in some areas but I know how to use my resources to find someone or something that will help you understand something you can't do well. Some of you have taken me up on that offer and trust me...as good as it makes you feel to finally "get" something....it makes me feel even better knowing that I helped you.
I was number 17 in my class of 146 at the end of my junior year. I fought with everything in my power to get to the top twenty. I do not have natural brain ninja abilities like some of my friends. Some of my friends didn't have to study or try in school and they came out with straight A's. It was frustrating at times to spend hours studying for an exam and get an 88 when they didn't study at all and got a 98.
In my school district the top 18 girls and top two boys in the junior class were in the Daisy Chain. The Daisy Chain is a tradition where the members pick a billion and a half daisies and attach them to these ancient ropes then carry them into the graduation ceremony of the class ahead of them. My motivation to get to the top 18 girls in my class was the fact I wanted to be on the Daisy Chain. It may be a silly reason to work so hard but that was my reason. College opportunities, job opportunities etc were on my radar too....but that Daisy Chain is the one reason I fought so hard.
As I said before...good grades did not come naturally to me. I was an A student in most of my classes and got Bs in a few others. Math and chemistry were two classes that I just didn't understand. In fifth grade I got a 77 in math on my final report card. That was the only C I ever received and I literally bawled and begged my teacher to tell me how to sign up for summer school. He laughed at me and told me to go enjoy my summer vacation.
I am not saying you all have to be straight A students. I get that for some of you school doesn't come easy. I am saying that you all need to find something that motivates you to do whatever you have to do the best you are able to do. If that means requesting extra help and staying after school.... do it (I did...I spent a month of my 9th grade year going back to my 8th grade math teacher after school because I just didn't understand what the crap my 9th grade teacher was trying to teach). If that means swallowing your pride and asking a friend that understands the material better than you do for help...do it (I did... Admitting to a friend that they are smarter than you might not be easy but it is better in the long run). If that means telling the Honey Badger that you do need her to help you...do it (I might not be able to tell you how to do it because there are plenty of things I don't remember but I will find out how to do it or find someone else that can help you).
Pride is a very strong thing. Even now I can be too proud to admit that I need help. I HATE asking for help but if it is going to help me reach a goal I have I will (reluctantly) swallow my pride, blush six shades of lobster, and admit that I am not able to do it on my own.
My motivation to get into the Daisy Chain helped me in more ways than just getting on the Daisy Chain. I applied to two colleges when I was a senior. Only two. My dream school (Michigan State) and a back up (SUNY Geneseo).... I received a letter from Michigan State roughly three weeks after I sent in my application and it said, "Congratulations! We are happy to offer you a place in our Fall 2004 semester..."
If I hadn't busted my butt to be able to put flowers on a rope I might not have been accepted to MSU.
So.... I have a "motivating offer" for you all... If you can all get your grades up by the end of the school year I will do something for you. Minimum is to get them up to the standards the program says you have to have but if you have a B in a class....strive for a B+ or an A. Help each other get there. If you are good at math and you know a fellow Minion is failing....help them. If you are good at history find someone that isn't and help them. If you are struggling in a class reach out and see who is doing well and ask them for help.
Be a team....fight for and with each other.
I hate it when I am the center of attention. I hate having eyes on me and I get super embarrassed. I will do just about ANYTHING to ensure I am NOT the center of attention. So here is my offer. You all do whatever it takes to get your grades up and I will gladly put myself into a situation I strive to avoid and I will make sure hundreds of people see me...
I will dress like a total idiot... Bright colors, stupid wig...whatever. I will have a radio blasting crazy music and I will make a sign that says, "I told my Minions I would do this if they got their grades up." I will take my sign, my music and my idiotic attire and I will dance and stroll around the shopping center on 29th street promoting the Sea Cadet Program.
Even the thought of doing that makes me want to throw up a little.... but I am willing to do it if you are willing to work hard to make me do it.
So....tell me.... am I gonna do it?
~Honey Badger
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