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"Picture this: you’re at the crossroads of life, where rules evolve into expectations. Every car, truck, or road hazard has the potential to run you over. How will you navigate the journey ahead?"
This was the question that Mr. Ortiz posed to students on their first day back at Nolan Catholic High School, using the popular video game Crossy Road to drive home a powerful point. With this engaging analogy, Mr. Ortiz set the tone for the year, emphasizing that while children have rules, young adults have expectations. In high school, students are no longer simply following rules; they are expected to navigate their own path with the guidance of their mentors.
The game, much like life, is filled with obstacles—rivers, cars, and trains—that require quick thinking and sharp reflexes to navigate. For children, the world is similarly full of risks, and thus, parents and teachers often enforce rules to keep them safe. Mr. Ortiz explained, "As children, we are given rules because we aren't yet capable of managing the risks around us. For example, a young child must hold an adult's hand when crossing the road. It's a rule because it's a matter of safety." He continued with an example from his own life, sharing, "It would be unfair for me to expect my five-year-old to cross the road alone. At that age, the rule is necessary."
However, the speech's core message was about the transition from childhood to young adulthood. Just as Crossy Road players must eventually learn to navigate the game's challenges independently, students at Nolan Catholic must now shift from following rules to meeting expectations. "As you grow, you transition from rules to expectations," Mr. Ortiz noted. "In high school, you're no longer little children. You're young adults, and with that comes the expectation that you can cross life's roads without someone holding your hand." The analogy was not just a creative way to introduce the concept; it was also a hit with the students. After Mr. Ortiz’s speech, the assembly turned into an impromptu gaming session where students eagerly tried their hand at Crossy Road. The room erupted in laughter and excitement, a lively start to the year.
This shift from rules to expectations is a significant one for the students of Nolan Catholic High School, signaling a year where they will be encouraged to take more responsibility for their actions and rise to meet the expectations set before them. Mr. Ortiz's message is clear: as they navigate the challenges ahead, the faculty will be there not to catch them red handed, but to mentor and guide them toward success. The assembly ended on a high note, with students not only understanding the difference between rules and expectations but also feeling motivated to embrace the year ahead.
Victor Viking