Kappa Delta Pi Induction

On March 24, 2010, I was inducted into Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education. I worked hard for this achievement and it is an honor that I take very seriously both as a life long student of learning and as an educator. My husband and daughter were there to share in this special moment with me. Just as I accepted my certificate and pin, Lydia ran up to greet me. (She later told me that she thought they were giving me candy because the pin was still wrapped in a piece of plastic.) I accepted my certificate and a copy of the Society's Creed. The creed will be framed and hang on the wall of my classroom. What an awesome reminder of the privilege, opportunity, honor, and responsibility of being a teacher. I am proud to be a member of Kappa Delta Pi and I hope that practicing and reflecting on these ideals will help me to be the best educator I can be.

Kappa Delta Pi
International Honor Society in Education
Society Creed

Education is a vital force in any society that encourages universal welfare and individual progress. Education is likewise the cornerstone of democracy and the foundation for personal fulfillment. As an International Honor Society in Education, Kappa Delta Pi has adopted and continues to pledge fidelity to four cherished ideals: Humanity, Science, Service, and Toil.

The Ideal of Fidelity to Humanity is faith in the potential of human beings and in the improvement of the human condition through education; compassion in the contacts one has, as an educator, with humanity; and dedication to the concept that through continuous education, based upon equal opportunity. Persons of all ages, races, and creeds shall find increased opportunity for experiencing more meaningful lives.

The Ideal of Science implies that, as an educator, one will be faithful to the cause of free inquiry and will strive to eliminate prejudice and superstition by withholding judgment until adequate evidence is obtained. One will not distort evidence to support a favorite theory; be blinded by the new or spectacular; nor condemn the old simply because it is old.

The Ideal of Service is the very essence of education, which seeks advancement, not merely for self, but for society as well. The incentive of the great educators of the world has been their desire to serve humanity. Service in education implies living so that others are strengthened and inspired, and striving for the achievement of justice, peace, and a better way of life.

The Ideal of Toil demands the will to do the task that must be done, whether the task pleases or not, and faith in the social necessity and intrinsic reward of the education profession. It implies working with such faith and zeal that others are won to the cause of education. If one life has been given greater and nobler vision, toil has not been in vain.

So to Teach that my words and actions inspire a will to learn; so to serve that each day may enhance the growth of exploring minds; so to live that I may guide young and old to know the truth and love the right.

By accepting membership in Kappa Delta Pi, I have indicated my intention to achieve excellence and to subscribe to these ideals.
Amanda Rorrer
March 24, 2010

Chamber Spellin' Bee

On Tuesday March 16, 2010, four of my students formed a team to become the Prowling Panthers at the Eden Chamber of Commerce's Annual Spellin' Bee. I was very proud of the students who competed against other teams formed by local business owners. All funds raised from the event went to fund scholarships for Morehead High School seniors who plan to attend Rockingham Community College. We had a great time representing our school and taking part in this community event!

Although we learned that for fundraisers, a budget is often more useful than brains, students gave the adults a run for their money by correctly spelling words like antidisestablishmentarianism. Can you spell that off the top of your head? No dictionaries were allowed, and teams were only given three "free" misses!

A special thank you to following sponsors of the Prowling Panthers: Judith Warren Boutique and Bridal, Eden Drug, Lisa Doss at Eden's Own Journal, and one anonymous donor. Thank you for you support and the opportunity to participate in this event!

Meet Chunk...

Rockingham County Humane Society
Featured Pet
Chunk
Chunk is a 7 month old Beagle mix. He is neutered and current on his rabies shot. Chunk is a little shy until he gets to know you. But once he does, he has lots of love and licks to share. Chunk needs a home to give him the love and attention he deserves. If you are interested in adopting Chunk or seeing any other animals available for adoption, please visit the Rockingham County Humane Society at 205 Boone Road in Eden, NC. Our adoption fee is $100 for puppies and dogs and $65 for kittens and cats. The adoption fee includes spaying and neutering, shots, and de-worming for all animals. The Rockingham County Humane Society is open to the public Wednesday through Saturday from 11-4.

Pusher or Puller?

“If you only do what you know you can-you never do very much.”
~Tom Krause

I write with the hope that I inspire others. But writing, like many other things in life, comes with risks. There is always a risk of failure and a sort of sensitivity involved in pouring one’s thoughts out only to leave them open to critique. Last week, another writer asked me where my inspiration comes from. The question alone was enough to inspire me to investigate an answer.

I can name countless things that surround me and provide inspiration. I try to be in tune with the world around me...the people I come in contact with, the things I hear, the things I see. Inspiration comes from my family, other writers, books, sermons, conversations, and even dreams. Sometimes the inspiration pushes me to take action. Sometimes, it pushes me to reflect upon my own actions. Either way, I think inspiration serves as one main purpose: to do something; to act in some way. The choice of whether that action is positive or negative lies within the individual.
There are people who inspire me, but I have learned that people (including myself) are fallible and will inevitably let you down. So, it is best not to put too much stock in the individual. God, on the other hand, is perfect and He never gives us more than we can handle. Furthermore, He never gives us a task without making sure we have to tools to complete what is asked of us. To me, that is comforting inspiration.

Yet, I know it’s important to have role models, mentors, and teachers for some things in life. Such people, those who have “been there and done that”, have the ability to inspire others to push past their achievements and accomplish greater things. Or, they can stop us dead in our tracks with discouragement, pulling us down to become “dead in the water.” So I ask myself: “Am I a pusher or a puller? Am I just waiting for someone to come along and have an influence over me or am I motivated to be that positive influence in someone else’s life?”

Webster’s dictionary defines inspiration as any influence that stimulates thought or action. I wonder how great the world would be if we all put thought into our actions and strived to influence others in a positive way. And, that effect could be doubled if those thoughts included people other than ourselves. In order to be open to inspiration, no matter how big or small, we must have our ears, eyes, minds, and hearts open. I believe having these things open allows us to invite in positive inspiration and weed out the negative influences that only bring us down.

I’m just an ordinary person with an ordinary life. But I believe that God uses ordinary people every day to accomplish great things for Him. I believe we should live each day with inspiration to influence others that they might see Him in our lives and come to know Jesus as their personal Savior. Each day I want to be in tune with the needs of those around me so that I might be the influence that stimulates positive action. Join me, dear reader. Open your heart, lend an ear, extend a hand, show a smile… and inspire someone today!

MHS 5K Results

The Lord blessed us with bright sunshine, cool temperatures, and blue skies for the Run to the Endzone 5K at Morehead High School yesterday. Panther Pride filled the air as parents and students and various other people from the community came together to make this event a success. The kickoff for the event included a message from the mayor, the presentation of the American flag from MHS ROTC students, and the singing of the national anthem. A local pastor led the crowd in prayer, thanking God for our blessings and the opportunity to come together as we did. I felt a chill go up my arm as I took a moment to thank God that I live in a town where we have the freedom to publicly thank God for his blessings and ask for his protection.

The race began and runners took off straight down the hill on Panther Lane. As much as I wanted to sprint, I tried to remind myself that feeling was just adrenaline talking and that I needed to save some of it for the next hill...going up Pierce Street. I ran up Pierce Street, which is nothing I haven't done before, it's just that I hadn't done it lately. This was where breathing became a challenge and I really had to focus. I made it to the top. Ahhhhh...I knew I had a little time to run downhill and on some flat land before conquering the other hills to come. This was the time I tried to use to set my race pace and coordinate my breathing. The other hills were difficult, but I seemed to be able to navigate them a little better than Pierce Street. Luckily, I was familiar with the layout of the course. I have ran the neighborhood countless times when training for a half marathon a few years ago. When I crossed the two mile mark, my watch displayed 17:54. I was glad of that, but I lost time climbing the hills in the last mile. Going back up Panther Lane was definitely challenging. On Stadium Drive, it was tempting to increase speed as adrenaline began taking over once again. But I held back because I knew I would need everything I had left in me to climb Panther Lane to the finish. I rounded the corner and took off up the hill. I don't really remember feeling my legs at this point. I just remember breathing and focusing on the top of hill, reminding myself to give it everything I had at this point, because that great feeling you get when crossing the finish would only last for a moment.

I crossed the finish line in 29 minutes and 54 seconds. This was a little bit of a disappointing time for me, considering that it was about four minutes over the time I finished the last 5K. But that disappointment didn't last long when I saw the results and learned I had won first place in my age group. This was the first time I have ever won a first place trophy for running, so it was a special accomplishment for me.


Lydia enjoyed participating in the Tot Trot. This was her first race ever and I hope she learned some things about sportsmanship and the value of trying your best and finishing what you start. The picture below is proof that this was a fun filled event for people of all ages!


Thanks to those who worked hard to make this race a success and raise funds for athletics at our school. I enjoyed seeing students involved and hope they'll participate again next year! Here are some other great photos of the event:

5K Run to the Endzone

Come on out this Saturday and show your support for the Morehead Football Team!

Date
Saturday, March 13, 2010 @ 9:00 AM local time
Address
Morehead Senior High School Football Stadium
134 North Pierce Street

Run To The EndZone 2010- Sponsored by the Morehead High School TouchDown Football Boosters Club. All proceeds will benefit the MHS Football Team. The Course will take runners through the Central area of Eden ending in the EndZone of MHS Staduim. Moderate hills, relatively flat. Cash Prize $$$ Overall Men- $150 Overall Women- $150
CHECK IN AT MHS CAFETERIA EDEN, NC Saturday March 13th 07:00-08:45AM. EARLY PACKET PICKUP AT MHS CAFETERIA Friday March 12th 6:00-7:30 PM.

Don't feel like running? That's OK, You can walk or bring the kids to sign up for the 1 mile Tot Trot! This event is going to be great, so don't miss out on the FUN and the chance to show your school spirit! Leave your paw print by showing your community support!

Strength for Running and Life

“If you can’t fly then run. If you can’t run then walk. If you can’t walk then crawl. But whatever you do keep moving.” ~Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Everyone has heard that old saying “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” I don’t know who said it first, but surely it was someone who was struggling with something in life. So I wonder, what is it that really makes us tough? What makes us strong? And when is it ok to not have to be tough? These are the thoughts floating in my head as I round the corner at the 1.5 mile mark in my run. I glance at my watch. 15 minutes and 7 seconds. Not an Olympic qualifying time, but understand that two years ago, running this same stretch of road often took me 20 to 25 minutes. I can see that I’ve gained strength. My form has improved and I no longer need to puff my inhaler before I reach the top of that hill I just climbed.

God has granted me the ability to run and running has helped me to find strength in everyday situations. Running has helped me push myself to succeed, and that push for success has spilled over into other areas of my life. I use that time to reflect, ask questions, make plans… and then pray about those same questions and plans. Without a doubt, my faith makes me strong and it is an important part of my personal journey.

Along the next stretch of road I begin thinking about where I’ve been, where I am, where I want to be, and how to get there. Some people say that the tough times in our lives are often what make us stronger. I agree and I remember the time I was in a wheelchair for four months following a car accident in 2001. Although I didn’t know it at the time, God was working in my life to change me and make me stronger. If someone had told me then that I would be where I am today, doing the things I do, I would have assured them they had my future confused with someone else’s.

My mind drifts further as I think about the last half-marathon I ran a few months ago. I spent the summer training for it and I finished the race; but, not without mistakes and upsets which included a fall that messed up my shoulder and ankle. Finishing that race was tough, especially after my fall. I was mad, aggravated, and I wanted to cry. In fact, I did cry for a moment. And then I remembered why I was there. I was there to RUN, not walk, not cry, and certainly not to pout. I remember touching my necklace and reciting the verse inscribed on the back: Philippians 4:13. “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” And so, with God’s grace, I continued running and finished the race strong.

I was reminded of some things during that race that will help me be stronger in life. No matter how hard we train or prepare for life, there is no teacher as great as the real thing we call experience. Nothing other than the real thing could have prepared me for Maryland’s hills of Antietam Battlefield that I encountered in that course. In life, there will be bumps and bruises… or twisted ankles and sore shoulders. The trick is not simply getting up after the fall, it’s the attitude we have once we are back on our feet. We have to keep putting one foot in front of the other and eventually we cross the finish line. We should never plow over someone else in an effort to get there, yet I have found that finish line to be much sweeter when I smile along the way. The lessons learned during the tough times in life do make us stronger and our attitude is a reflection of our character. Personally, I find great comfort in knowing that even in the tough times, I am not alone. I have a God who has blessed me with His comfort and surrounded me with a wonderful support system of family and friends.

And now, as I finish my run and my meandering contemplations about the struggles of life and what makes us strong, I know that I am not here to walk, nor pout, nor cry. I am here to RUN. I am here to do all I can in the time I have, however long (or short) it may be. In today’s fast-paced world, we’re all running the race of life. So, double-knot your sneakers and enjoy the run.

Meet Hilton...

Rockingham County Humane Society
Featured Pet

Hilton

Please come in and meet me today! I’m a handsome one and a half year old terrier mix and I’m available for adoption now! My favorite pastimes are walking, running, snuggling in front of the TV and reading Bark Magazine. I like adults, kids and other dogs (except boxers). I don’t know why I’m still living at the Humane Society. Everyone overlooks me and this makes me sad. I’m smart, neutered, current on my shots, and heartworm negative. Everyone says I look just like Brad Pitt. My adoption fee is only $75. If you are interested in adopting Hilton or seeing any other animals available for adoption, please visit the Rockingham County Humane Society at 205 Boone Road in Eden, NC. Our adoption fee is $100 for puppies and dogs and $60 for kittens and cats. The adoption fee includes spaying and neutering, shots, and de-worming for all animals. The Rockingham County Humane Society is open to the public Wednesday through Saturday from 11 to 4.