Zach Thornton's: Choosing Success: The Students at Buehrle Decide to be 'Smart Guys'

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Choosing Success: The Students at Buehrle Decide to be 'Smart Guys'

On January 14th the 'Smart Guy' Movement led its first workshop, facilitated by Zach Thornton and Nicole Sanders, MSW. Buehrle Alternative School (run by Camelot Schools) is home to an incredible group of young people who transferred from traditional education programs in the Lancaster, PA area to find their paths to success. The students were engaged and interested and had lots of questions about Zach's success and his failures. "How you handle failure is a choice too. I didn't make the Olympic team, was designated an alternate in '02 but I didn't sulk or complain. I congratulated those who made it and cheered for them all the way. How you handle failure also shows your character and reflects a decision to be a good person."
The students all made the pledge to be a 'Smart Guy' and each wrote something they could do, a choice they could make, that would help them be successful moving forward. One student made the commitment to, "be the first one to finish high school in my family.." another student promised to "show his brother and sister a better life" and yet another vowed to "come to school everyday in order to be a 'Smart Guy'".

Many participants received gear and equipment from Puma Football in recognition of their pledges and they all received bookmarks with 'Smart Guy' information and inspiration. Camelot Schools Vice President Milton Alexander said, "...the event was a great learning experience for all of our students and very engaging for students and teachers!" The event was sponsored by Puma Football and 5001 Flavors, companies inspired by the mission of 'Smart Guy' and its commitment to promoting academic success and good decision making.