This week's post is based on lessons learned through math and chemistry.  Now, now, don't stop reading if you are turned off by these subjects as I am hoping you'll like what I learned through the course of my week this past week.  By the way, I too never loved math or science, although I definitely recognize the relevance in our daily lives unlike the students who say, "Why do we need to know this?"  As early as our early primary school years we begin to learn addition and subtraction.  The most basic is 1 + 1 = 2.  Correct?  Well, this past week I was introduced to the idea that sometimes 1 + 1 = 3.  This thought was presented to me by one of our students when he was describing the impact of two people working together.  The point was, if individuals can put aside their own egos and focus on a common cause and mission, then their combined efforts can be 1 + 1 = 3.  On the other hand, when two people are unable to put their own self interests aside and focus on the larger goal then 1 + 1 doesn't even equal 1.  He put it another way.  If two people are rowing in a boat and they're not rowing together then they just spin in circles.  How about that from a lesson taught to the school President from a student. 

I think this also says a little about chemistry.  The chemistry of a team is so important.  The next lesson I learned came from observing one of our sports teams.  People working together with a common cause and mission who are unselfish, team oriented, and place their own goals and needs aside, can achieve greatness.  We've seen it on championship teams.  There is usually a catalyst, or more than one catalyst, that creates the spark...that brings out the best in others...the rising tide that raises all ships.  On the other hand, there can also be those selfish individuals who also create a spark, but this time a negative reaction that drains the energy and focus of the team and might even create an explosive environment.  Lesson learned...be the positive spark, the catalyst, the unselfish team player who puts the mission of the whole ahead of him or her self.  Recognize that we are all interdependent on one another and that our actions create a ripple effect that we may never know.  Bethe rising tide that raises all ships.

Speaking of being a rising tide, I also learned a great lesson in math and chemistry this week from an encounter I had with one of the most inspirational people I have ever met, a true hero, Mr. Ted Schwab.  Mr. Schwab is the co-founder of an organization in DC called Capital Partners for Education.  From their website we learn that since 1993, CPE has provided nearly 400 students with viable alternatives to low-performing public schools. Seventy-six percent of CPE students graduate from high school in four years and enroll in college — compared to 29 percent of Washington’s public school students. Of CPE graduates, 99 percent have enrolled in college. Most are the first in their families to attend college. A recent study of the educational outcomes of CPE alumni found that 73% of CPE students graduate college within six years.  In the 2011-2012 school year, CPE serves 113 students in 21 partner high schools.  I first met Mr. Schwab in 1999 when we were working together with a student at McNamara sponsored by Capital Partners.  Not only was Mr. Schwab the founder of the organization but he also was personally supporting this young man's education financially and served as his mentor, a role he took very seriously.  This young man was clearly on the way out of our school.  Poor behavior, failing grades and an equally bad attitude.  Six teachers, a counselor, his coach, Mr. Schwab and his mother pulled together an action plan and gave this young man another chance.  That intervention proved to be all that he needed.  This young man went on to be a leader in the school, captain of his team, a Peer Minister and later went to college on a full scholarship.  So here's some math and chemistry for you again:  2 people with a dream to help low income youth in the Washington area gain better access to the high-quality education that would make a real difference in their lives, 19 years later has grown exponentially to now having served more than 400 students with 113 more on the way in 2012-2013.  How about that for exponential growth?  How about that for making a difference!

My final math and chemistry lesson of the week came this past Friday at the 27th annual Mustang Cup Golf Tournament in Memory of Phil Terry.  Check out these numbers and see if you can find the pattern:  6, 43, 350, 152, 20, 55000.  In 1986 there were 6 McNamara graduates who came up with the dream to start a golf tournament to support financial aid for students and their families.  That first year there were 43 golfers and the tournament lost $350 (the tournament actually broke even in the books but we know it was the generosity of one of the six that brought it to zero).  So much for success.  But they plowed ahead and today there are literally thousands of students who have benefited from the generosity of the golfers, sponsors and advertisers of this annual tournament.  This past Friday the tournament fielded its largest turnout ever, 152 golfers whose combined efforts along with the generosity of more than 20 sponsors helped to raise $55,000--all for the cause of helping students in need.  One Board member was quoted as saying after the event, "What a great way to have fun, make money and make a difference!" 

So there it is, just a few math and chemistry examples to get us thinking as we prepare for the week ahead.  The common thread in each of these is, of course, people.  People with a dream and vision to make a difference in this world.  People who have the ability to set aside egos and selfish needs to focus on others and a larger mission and cause.  People who are willing to share their gifts and are willing to sacrifice for others so that they too can receive a quality education and have a chance to be leaders in life and society.  People who "pay it forward" so that others can fulfill their God-given potential.  My goal for our McNamara students is that they too will grow to be like these people.  Leaders in life who add and multiply instead of subtract and divide.  The catalyst that starts a revolution for change...change based on the Gospels with a focus on bringing hope to a world that so desperately needs it.

So I finish this blog with two simple but meaningful words for all those who set the example for us and have made a difference in at least one other person's life, THANK YOU!