By Dr. Kodey S. Hughes, Superintendent, Juab School District
There are so many things that make the high school experience memorable. For some students, it is the classes they take and the interests they discover—everything from biology and math to creative writing and weightlifting. For others, it is athletics, music, clubs, or activities. They might be a volleyball player, a football player, a golfer, and artist, a musician, or something entirely different.
All of these experiences become part of their high school story. But every once in a while, there are moments that bring everyone together regardless of what class they are in, what jersey they wear, or what group they belong to. But sometimes, apparently, you just need an old car and a few sledgehammers.
About a month ago, Juab High School Student Body President Price Armstrong and his co-conspirator, Mr. Brady Gempler, scheduled an appointment and came into my office with an idea.
Their frist question was, "Dr. Hughes, have you ever seen the movie Remember the Titans?"
I knew immediately that this conversation was going somewhere interesting.
They proceeded to pitch an idea inspired by the movie: find an old car, bring students together during Homecoming Week, and let them take turns smashing it with sledgehammers. My superintendent brain immediately went to work. Safety? Liability? Property Damage? What could possibly go wrong? But as these young men continued talking, something became clear. They hadn't just come into my office with a crazy idea. They had come with a plan. They had through through the safety precautions, the equipment, the organization, and how they could make the event successful.
Eventually, I gave them the okay, crossed my fingers, and thought to myself, Let's try something new. Let's give these student leaders an opportunity to lead.
Fast-forward a month. When I arrived at the event, more than 200 students were gathered in the parking lot. Cheerleaders were handing out cupcakes. Students were gathered around a table with one and five-dollar bills in hand, waiting for their opportunity to put on the safety equipment, grab a sledgehammer, and take a few swings at that old car.
And then I noticed something much more important than the car. "Everyone belonged." It didn't matter what grade a student was in. It didn't matter whether they played football, participated in another activity, or weren't involved in athletics at all. Every student who stepped forward was cheered on. Every swing brought another round of excitement. Every dent and piece that fell from that poor old car was celebrated like a trophy.
For a short time, there was no freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors. We did not have athletes or non-athletes. It was simply Juab High School students enjoying being together. That is what stayed with me and impressed me most. Our student body officers and created something bigger than an activity. They created a moment of belonging. They brought students together, took an idea from a movie, developed a plan, worked through the challenges, and turned it into a memory and moment their classmates will talk about for years.
There is also an educational lesson in that, too. We spend a great deal of time teaching young people how to lead others, communicate, problem-solve, and take responsibility. But sometimes the best thing we can do is give them an opportunity to actually do it and then get out of their way enough to let them succeed.
And as superintendent, I also made a little not to myself that night: When a student walks into your office with an idea that sounds a little crazy, listen before you say no. There may be a few dents involved. There may even be a sledgehammer. But somewhere in the middle of it all, you might just find one of those Moments that Stick—a moment that connects our students to their school, to one another, and to the community they will always call home.
And sometimes, those are the very best parts for high school.
#JuabProud
By Dr. Kodey S. Hughes
Superintendent | Juab School District