Every day, I have this feeling that something big is about to happen…something good. I can’t tell you exactly what it is, but I know it is there. I don’t want to think about it too much because I’m afraid that the feeling will evaporate with the analysis.  So I have decided not to do the analysis and instead accept it as a gift.

I am never disappointed.

Something good always happens. By evening, when I inventory the events of the day, there is always a smile, a hug, a word, or a moment given to me that can’t be measured, weighed, or quantified by any scientific method but they are as real as anything I have held in my hands. That inventory not only includes those small acts of courage and kindness given to me but also those I have given. Kindness doesn’t require much. Apply the Golden Rule. It’s not complicated. But courage requires more. It’s like the Golden Rule with personal risk. It’s the risk that makes the act courageous.

Two weeks ago a young man laid across a set of railroad tracks and waited for the train. He died at age 24. I knew his Mother. He didn’t leave a note. He never explained why. Nobody knows what combination of events or factors made him give up. Perhaps it was the accumulation of many small crimes people had committed against him. Maybe if someone had stood up for him or stood by him, he wouldn’t have surrendered. Maybe if someone had stopped him from drinking he would’ve used better judgment. Maybe one small act of courage could’ve made the difference.

I am strong enough to do this.

At some point I have to take a stand. The battles I choose define me. At some point I have to speak up for the underdog. I have to risk embarrassment to prevent a “small crime” to another. Maybe I will be ridiculed. Maybe I will be the target. Maybe…. But if I don’t step up, I will surely lose a piece of myself. I will also lose that feeling that I have every morning that something big will happen…something good.

Congratulations to the following schools for placing in the 2011 Save A Life Campaign PSA Contest, hosted by SchoolTube.com!  We received over 56 videos from all over the country and over 1,700 views during the 6 week contest. The top videos each exhibited a simple, clear, and strong message to “Encourage Courage” in order to Save a Life.

The winning video, produced by Wheaton Academy in West Chicago, Illinois, is now displayed on the SchoolTube.com/Save A Life PSA Contest Channel. The other 2 videos will also be the top “Favorites” on the Channel:
http://www.schooltube.com/user/SaveALife

1st Place – Perception
Wheaton Academy – West Chicago, IL
http://www.schooltube.com/video/b87e180b605150b74fe8/Perception

2nd Place – Don’t Text and Drive
Hazen High School- Hazen Mercer, ND
http://www.schooltube.com/video/345312de58e2c22c194c/Dont-Text-and-Drive-PSA-Macinda

Tie 3rd Place – Drive Safe
Passaic Valley Regional High School- Little Falls Passaic, NJ
http://www.schooltube.com/video/2dea2decfe230310084f/Drive-Safe-by-Joe-B

1st Place – Have the Courage to Save a Life
Washington High School – Washington, MO
http://www.schooltube.com/video/47ad6548c508a6479d65/Have-the-Courage-to-Save-a-Life

2nd Place – Stop the Bullying
South Side High School – Jackson, TN
http://www.schooltube.com/video/516b42136442e853b016/Stop-The-Bullying

Tie 3rd Place – The Choice is Yours
Manteno High School – Manteno, IL
http://www.schooltube.com/video/a1da3d6cc6597ec4d09a/The-Choice-is-Yours

Tie 3rd Place – Depression Hurts
Wheaton Academy – West Chicago, IL
http://www.schooltube.com/video/63f94f1b5d69db34248c/Depression-Hurts
Prizes will be sent to your schools, to be used towards the program of your choice.
Again, congratulations to you and your students, and we will look forward to your student’s video submissions in next year’s contest!

The theme of the Save A Life Campaign PSA Contest is:

“A simple act of moral courage can save a life”.

This contest is open to high school and middle school students interested in expressing their commitment to making smart choices under difficult circumstances. The challenge: create an original 30-second public service announcement to demonstrate the importance of making hard, but proper life choices, and encouraging courage. For more background information visit http://www.savealifecampaign.com.

Only public service announcements (PSAs) produced during the spring school semester of 2010, until April 16th are eligible. Uploading begins February 15th and ends April 16th, 2010 and all entries must be uploaded to SchoolTube.com.

PRIZES

The first place PSA’s school will receive $1,000, the second place school will receive $500, and third place school will receive $300 – to be used towards the scholastic program of their choice.

REMINDERS

Be sure to tag your video “savealifepsa”.

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