Please - no mentors read this - students only

[Chris Fultz]

Students -

You are now ending week 4, and chances are there are some mentors who are working with your team, who are giving up their days and nights and weekends, and are there helping you because, quite simply, they want to be there helping you.

You have the opportunity to give something awesome back to them. Nominate one of them for the Woodie Flowers Award. Take some time and put together a great entry. Make the WFA judges have to work extra hard to select the one recipient at each regional. Show your mentors you do appreciate what they are doing and that they are making a difference to you.

And, if they don't win, sit down with them after the regional and read them your entry. Put it in a frame and give it to them to hang on their wall. The fact that you took the time and care to nominate them will be incredible for them.

Two years ago, I won the Regional WFA in Phoenix. I did not know I had been nominated. The announcer was several sentences into the award announcement before I figured it out, but the students knew almost immediately - because he was using their words as he spoke. At once, I was excited, humbled and honored to be recognized by the WFA committee. I was more honored to know that the students had nominated me.

You have a few weeks left. Don't wait to the last minute. Write it with care.

Take some time to nominate a mentor from your team.

You will make their year.

[SSMike]

Very well said Chris. The mentors on all the teams could easily be doing something else but instead, they decide to come help and guide you. Think about where you would be without a specific mentor or your mentors in general. As Chris said, what better way is there to show your gratitude to them than by nominating them for an award, especially one as prestigous as the WFA.