Wow. Talk about a tough job. This year I volunteered to judge
entrees in the David Logan Scholarship competition. Logan was an
all-pro Tampa Bay Buccaneer who used to be a sportscaster at my
Bay Area TV station. He was a humble, loveable, gracious and
caring man who died suddenly at the age of 42. We had over
one-hundred-70 entrees from aspiring athlete-scholars trying to
land one scholarship each for an outstanding senior girl and
senior boy.
I have been brought to tears by many of the short essays
detailing why these students think they deserve the scholarship
money. I have so much more respect for all those judges out
there who have to select one or two winners from thousand of
well deserving young people. And, I can tell you without a
doubt, that the future of our country is in good hands with role
models like these about to enter our colleges and universities.
Their stories are often filled with tragedies. One girl is
maintaining a nearly perfect academic record even though she is
working 35 hours a week to help her recently divorced mom care
for her 3 brothers and sisters. There’s another applicant whose
father recently died after a 3-year battle with cancer. He never
missed a single softball game even while hooked to oxygen bound
in a wheel chair. Another girl recently lost a sibling to
leukemia and dropped out of sports to take a job to help her
family make ends meet.
One of the guys lost his brother in a car accident and he
wants to help fulfill his brother’s dream of attending college.
Another applicant will be the first in his family to attend
college if he can land enough scholarship money. Another star
soccer player fled South Africa to escape death threats. Still,
another star athlete has turned down out of state scholarships
because he wants to stay close enough to home to help his mom
with weekend chores. He lost his dad in the first Persian Gulf
War.
These kinds of stories and dozens more just break my heart. I
can see my own kids sitting down at the computer typing away,
their dreams and hopes on the line, praying to pen just the
right words that might help them rise to the top in the ever
competitive world of landing scholarships. I’ve seen the look on
their faces when “the letter” arrives, the fumbling hands, the
quick exit to the bedroom, the long silence, and the tears you
know that are flowing. Rejection is a part of life. But compared
to the overall experiences gained by trying to be the best, it
is a mere whisper in the chorus of living. Reaching for the
heights is risky but taking those steps to get there builds
character and resolve. Only one person wins the top scholarship.
Some judge has had to filter through hundreds of applications
trying to determine, even as I am doing now, who gets the prize.
It’s agonizing for them… and me.
The fact is all of the applicants deserve to be awarded. They
all have excellent academic records, have proven their athletic
skills, have trained for hundreds of hours, and gone without
sleep to keep up the good grades. Most are very humble and
realize that the sacrifice of others has made their journey a
little easier. They aren’t thinking about the NBA or the NFL but
getting into a college where they can grow and excel on their
own.
When I finally do select my winners those names will be
submitted to three other judges who are going through the same
process. Thank God the decision will be a collective effort. But
I am going to insist we send along this letter:
“Dear Thomas, or Diane, or Eric!
You are an amazing person. Thank you for allowing me to read
about your many accomplishments. I saw your sacrifice
reflected in those superb grades. I’m glad I didn’t have to
compete against you athletically because you would have
kicked my butt.
You faced some big challenges and didn’t let those obstacles
turn you away or make you bitter. You are a winner in life
and will succeed in whatever direction you travel.
Personally, I am so proud of you I’d like to give you a big
huge and pat on the back right now.
It may seem strange that I have to tell you that you weren’t
chosen to win the scholarship. You didn’t do anything wrong,
your record wasn’t lacking in a single category. Four judges
spent countless hours and sweat bullets coming down to the
two winners. We honestly think if you had been a judge you
might have selected the same individuals we did.
Be disappointed, be sad, maybe cry a bit if you like. It’s
okay to care very deeply! Now, get up and get back to the
business of doing what you have done over and over again.
The world needs more winners like you. We look forward to
hearing about the wonderful things you will accomplish in
the years to come.
Sincerely,
Al Ruechel.”
Now, do me a favor. Please, go out and find a deserving
student who will be heading off to college this fall. Take a few
bucks out of your wallet or purse, put it in an envelope and
send to that student with a note attached:
“Just want you to know there’s someone out there who
believes in you.”
Signed,
One of your secret admirers.
