September 20, 2007
“I do not measure a man’s success by how high he climbs, but how high he bounces when he hits bottom.” These words, spoken by General George Patton of the WWII Allied Command, have certainly taken new meaning for defining successful leadership.
First example: my high school alma mater. As a former-student-turned-new-teacher, I rejoined a group of old faces under a new role. It was an elating experience to work with all these men and women who I had grown to admire over the years, most especially my former high school principal who was now superintendent. He was a tall, commanding, well spoken fellow who could sell you salt water at the beach or find endlessly great qualities in students I believed were products of Satan.
And then he was pulled over for a DUI.
It was news; big news. And as the stories and allegations built like bricks on a wall, I watched this man I had revered crumble. His clout, his prestige, his optimism – they all waned as the days grew long. He had climbed mighty high at our district, but when it came to bouncing, the direness of the situation provided our school district’s leader the springiness of Play-Doh. So he resigned.
Second example: as you may know, a similar story now exists on the hills of Bloomsburg University. In 2006, students elected a well qualified, compassionate leader to represent the best interests of the 7,000+ students that call the school home. Thinking that they made a mistake is as ridiculous as asking our school district’s board if they wish they had gone with a different superintendent. In both cases, the electors selected who they found to be the best man for the job.
But to find no fault in these two cases is naïve. The mistake certainly lays in their actions. Sure, a sizable portion of Americans might drive under the influence, but that never makes it right. It is a danger to drive drunk to one’s own safety, and, more so, the safety of innocent others. This article is not intended to right that wrong nor apologize for any one’s actions.
The point to this article is to prove that wrongs, whatever they may be, can be righted. Our former superintendent is doing everything in his power to reclaim that sizable spot in the sun his presence once occupied. Don’t expect anything less than your Student President to do the same.
Remember, the only way to measure your leader’s success is how high he bounces once he hits bottom. I wish your leader the recoil of a bed spring, but in the case that he can’t bounce back, I wish him the resolve of Gen. George Patton in his future endeavors.
Jake Miller ‘05
Teacher, Panther Valley High School
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