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Tenacity...

1/11/2015

 
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Te·nac·i·ty, noun 

As many of you already know, I am a graduate student at Wilmington University. I am getting a Master’s of Education in Applied Technology. I will be taking two more classes this semester (6 credits) and so far I am holding a
 4.0! 

Tomorrow I start another class so of course today my mind is on school. I was thinking about what my last professor said about me in my final evaluation. He congratulated me for getting an “A” in his class and he said that I had the most “tenacity” compared to the other students. I didn’t give the comment much thought at the time, it was the holidays and I was so busy, but today I was thinking about the word tenacity and what it means.

The word tenacity means:  persistence, determination, stamina, steadfastness, patience, firmness, and strength of purpose, resolve, and stubbornness.

If I evaluate myself I would agree. I don’t give up too easily; especially if someone tells me that I can’t do something or that I am not good enough…I set out to prove them wrong. People usually underestimate who I am and what I can do in life based on appearance. They judge me from the outside and very seldom stop to see what and who I am on the inside.

I am sure that many of you have felt the same way at times. It is a struggle that we all face; who we really are as compared to how the world sees us. The struggle that African American teenage boys have in this country is a perfect example of what I am talking about. People (including the police) might see an African American teenage boy simply walking down the street and make a judgment based on appearances.

Life has forced me to be tenacious. I have to work twice as hard to fight against the blonde female stereotype and all of you guys have to fight against stereotypes placed on you.


We have a choice in life and that is to accept what others think of us based solely on appearances or to be tenacious and prove them all wrong! My strength at times lies solely in my tenacity. I am determined to make something great out of my life; I don't quit. I set goals and if I don’t think that I can reach those goals then I change my thinking. I will rise up and accept the challenge in life and I will be victorious. I will not accept the views that others place on me; instead I view myself as worthy. I want the same for all of you. I will rise up and accept the challenge in life and I will be victorious. I will not accept the views that others place on me; instead I view myself as worthy. I want the same for all of you. 

So how do you do that? Well, you start by not buying into negativity, or how others may see you. Have a good self image by viewing yourself as worthy...see the good in you and believe in yourself. 

Then make GOALs in life, hold onto your dreams and don't let go. Create a vision for yourself and think about that vision/dream daily. Then make a plan and stick to the plan with tenacity! If you do all of this and don’t quit, I promise you that you will be victorious! The world is yours for the taking! I am cheering for all of you! Love, Ms. B.




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    Donna Bonavia

    I am an art educator and  a professional artist. I write this blog to guide my students in  (SEL) social, emotional, and academic development. S.E.L. is the District of Columbia Public School's priority because we believe that we must educate the whole child.


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