Editor’s Note

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle

Even as adults, one moment can transport us to our childhood. For some, it may be the smell of a homemade treat or the laugh of a long-lost friend. For me, it is the possibility of winning an award. Any award. The thrill of hearing your name being called and cradling the shiny trophy, blue ribbon or crisp certificate. At the opportunity to enter a contest, my heart leaps for joy and my competitive nature kicks into high gear, just as it did when I was 11 years old.

The 6th graders, the “seniors” of the elementary school, had all the advantages. The longest recess, the best lunch spot AND, most importantly, the 6th grade awards. Each year the top students in each subject were given an award. I was determined to be the top art student from the sixth grade Class of 1985. I spent a year creating all kinds of art, working toward the award. I was sure I had a lock on bringing home the trophy.

When the day came, I waited impatiently as they called the names of the other students. I counted down – English, math, physical education … art. I closed my eyes and repeated a little prayer, “Please call my name. Please call my name.” My name was not called. I couldn’t believe it. I stopped listening and I didn’t hear them call my name for the science award. A friend nudged me to get up there. I smiled bewilderedly and accepted my award but couldn’t help thinking, “What about the art award?”

I found out later that I was chosen as the top student in science because I had used my artistic talent to illustrate the human form in my science notebook. I impressed my teacher with the care and time I spent on the science drawings. That day I learned a bit about the blinding drive for excellence and how learning is a process of discovery – not a race to the finish. This experience opened my eyes to the cross-disciplinary nature of education – the idea of using one’s talents in more than one subject.

I am amazed by the variety of talents each Willamette student applies in their lives, such as Jason Oost ’05 – the track star-biology/studio art double major-intramural athlete who still finds time to indulge his passion for the outdoors (p.25). It is this quest for discovery, service and leadership that embodies excellence at Willamette.

Now in my adulthood, I concede that I may go a bit overboard in my excitement with awards. But some things never change (see the box below).

Michelle Maynard
Editor

The Scene Wins Big The Scene online, launched this past October, was entered in the 22nd Annual Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District VIII Awards competition. The site won a Grand Gold, the highest award given among all websites and other electronic media. The printed version of The Scene also took home an award – a Silver in the periodicals category. CASE District VIII is the largest region in the nation and includes colleges and universities in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Alaska and Western Canada.

Diverse views are presented and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editor or official policies of the University.

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