HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM: Motivation is the key

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By Taylor Schaefers, Clayton Ridge juniorGUTTENBERG - Have you ever had a motivational speaker at your school to get the students fired up?In my experiences only half of those speakers actually fulfilled their job title and motivated me. The other half bored me to the point where I wanted to take a nap in the bleachers.I believe a majority of motivation does not come from a speaker telling you to get motivated. Motivation can come from multiple aspects in life, including family, friends, teammates, community and even from within.Four Clayton Ridge High School student-athletes, all who have inspired me to do better in sports and life, agreed.“Having my family and community watch me from the stands and them being proud of me is something that is always special,” said senior Kris Ihde, who plays football, wrestles and is a member of the wrestling team.Junior Nicole Breitbach, who runs cross country and track, enjoys the team aspect.“I enjoy talking with my teammates before my race and getting pumped up with them,” she said. “And even though it may be difficult to start, it will be well worth it in the end.”Senior Dylan Preston said he looks within for motivation and satisfaction.“Whether it is one of my teammates in practice or an opponent in a game, I have to look across from me and know that I already won,” said Preston, who plays football, basketball and baseball. “Be the best you can be, and reach for greatness.”Junior Jasmine Staebler, a four-sport athlete for the Eagles, follows the same path as Preston and giving her best is enough.“Nothing is better than crossing the finish line knowing I gave it everything I had, and finishing with no regrets,” said the cross country and track runner who also plays basketball and softball. “That is the best feeling.”Each one of these individuals has a different way they become motivated. Ihde comes to be motivated by his family and community, Breitbach gains energy from teammates, Preston obtains drive from his teammates, opponents and by mentally reminding himself to be the greatest. Staebler is inspired with the feeling not wanting any regrets.As for myself, my motivation comes from my late brother Lee. I like to think he is watching over me through the good and the bad. Whenever I am not doing well in a game I think about him watching and always wanting to make him proud. This is what gets me out of a rut and back into the game.Ultimately, it does not matter what motivates a person, but that they find motivation. I believe motivation is key to being successful, not only in sports but also in life.