Event encourages students to think positive, shine during testing

By Jeremy Henderson, Army Flier Staff WriterFebruary 27, 2015

Event encourages students to think positive, shine during testing
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FORT RUCKER, Ala. (February 27, 2015) -- "Change your attitude and your behavior will follow" were the words students and teachers repeated in unison during Fort Rucker Elementary School's Time to Shine rally Feb. 20.

The event celebrated its third year of celebrating student achievement and bolstering spirits as FRES enters a week of standardized testing.

"This is the third year we've done the Time to Shine rally," Vicki Gilmer, FRES principal, said. "The kids have great attitudes. They are really high-performing students. We always score well above the national average. This is really our way of thanking them. They've worked hard all year and this is how we celebrate."

And celebration was definitely in order. The students were treated with a performance from The Encores from Enterprise High School for the third consecutive year and a special musical performance from a small group of their peers, which included a parody of the popular Meghan Trainor song "All About That Bass."

"It is designed to fire the kids up about standardized testing next week," Gilmer said. "Instead of building up to a stressful event, we help them think of it as a time to show off -- to show everyone how much they've learned. The kids love it, they really do. It sets a good tone for the week ahead."

George Scott, Enterprise State Community College professor and Fort Rucker Elementary School alumni, served as the event's guest speaker and encouraged students to adopt a positive attitude for all challenges.

"Think about that," Scott said. "If you have the right attitude, you can accomplish anything. But if you have the wrong attitude, there is nothing your teachers can do, your parents can do, or you can do to be successful. You must have the right attitude."

Scott opened his speech to the students with an inspirational quote from Thomas Jefferson, principal author of the Declaration of Independence and third president of the United States. "Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude," he said.

"Life is a series of options," Scott said. "We make choices every day that impact each day and the future. Attitude is a choice. We also have belief.

"In life, there are going to be obstacles," he added. "Your attitude determines how you respond to those obstacles. Your attitude and approach to life is the difference between just being and being successful."

After completing his education at FRES, Scott moved to Enterprise High School, Southern Mississippi and a stint as a professional basketball player overseas.

According to Gilmer, the rally is instrumental in encouraging students to adopt a positive attitude and shine during each year's standardized testing.

Where did the idea originate?

"It was actually an idea from our counselor, Mr. [Dane] Pridgen," Gilmer said. "He wanted to do something new. It always seemed we would go into the testing week and the students would be stressed. We wanted to find something to help lift their spirits and help them relax."

Related Links:

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