Let me tell you about a student named Abel. Abel’s first time snowboarding was on Snowday’s first trip with Centennial Middle School earlier this season. He had his sights fixed on the chairlift, but was frustrated because he wasn’t catching on. It can be a long and difficult trip down from the top of the chairlift if a student doesn’t have the proper skills, so we decided that we would be satisfied hiking up a little bit higher and practicing a little more just in case he could come back next time.
Well, two weeks later, I was excited to see Abel’s name on the trip roster again. This time, I made it my personal goal to get him up on that chairlift. It wasn’t easy to start. The snow was wet and the stuff coming out of the sky was wet, too, but Abel was making steady progress. After lunch, he was turning well and we decided to give it a try. As is normal, he was a little apprehensive getting on the chair, but once we were up and moving, he relaxed. “It looks really high from the ground, but once you’re up here it doesn’t seem so high,” he said. We spent the chair ride talking about the couple of times he came sledding on Mt. Hood with his family and his mom’s great Mexican cooking. Once we got to the top it was time for that first chairlift fall. Every first-timer dreads it, but Abel faced it with courage. He fell, but got back up and soon we were on our first snowboard run down Mt. Hood. Abel learned more that run than in the whole morning combined. He was aware of himself on the mountain. He turned both directions and even linked a few turns. Sure he fell some, but he never stayed down. He always got back up and was smiling in no time. He had a spark in his eye and an energy about him that was unbeatable.
I’d like to thank Abel and the entire CMS student body and staff for truly embodying the Snowdays spirit. We look forward to working with you in the future!
