“Not
everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted
counts.”
--
Albert Einstein
By Tommie Saylor
Kennedy High School
Jakob
Muntz, senior captain of the cross-country team, was out running last week as
he has done dozens of times before. For three years Jakob has represented
Kennedy High School on the cross-country team, and in this, his final season in
high school, Jakob has not only risen to the height of team captain, he has
also honed his skills to the point where he now flirts with the prospects of
having the honor of representing Kennedy at the regional level.
Being
able to represent one’s school at a regional meet often only comes along once
in a cross-country student’s career, if and only if they qualify … if they are
good enough. Only after they have proven that they are among the absolute best
do they receive a chance.
Last
week Jakob was running on what is arguably one of the most difficult courses in
the Downriver area, as reported by Coach Amber McNew, a devout runner
herself. According to the coach, The Willow Metro Park course is uphill
most of the way, the ground in uneven and difficult to negotiate. It is a
course filled with rocks a d gravel – simply just not friendly.
Yet
through all of this, Jakob was well on his way to posting one of his best times
ever, a 20-minute 5K run. Jakob was staring not only his best time ever
square in the face, he was also in the midst of launching himself into regional
competition for the first time ever.
With
all of this on Jakob’s mind and within sight of the finish line, he suddenly
stopped.
Ms.
McNew, who was following the competitors and now stood at the finish line,
could not believe her eyes.
What in God’s name was Jakob doing?
Then
she saw it.
Ms.
McNew witnessed the most amazing act of self-sacrifice by a Kennedy student in current
memory. Jakob stopped because he saw another competitor from another team
become weak in the knees, waver and fall to the ground.
Without
a second thought, and as others continued to run past, Jakob stopped, threw his
fellow runner over his shoulder and continued to the finish line.
After
crossing the finish line, Jakob placed his comrade on the ground at the feet of
the student’s parents, where he laid passed out for several minutes.
Jakob, who just gave up his best time ever, who just lost his one and only shot
at regional competition, who will now never know the joy of representing his
school at that level.
He
walked away without a word spoken or a second thought given.
Jakob
is a hero. He deserves a medal for his actions and recognition for his
sacrifice. He is the kind of student that we are proud to say is a Kennedy
Eagle!
Jakob is a success story, the epitome of what we are trying to achieve through public education. He’s the personification of good parenting, good teaching and good sportsmanship. May we never forget to take the time to celebrate such selfless acts of kindness.
Jakob is a success story, the epitome of what we are trying to achieve through public education. He’s the personification of good parenting, good teaching and good sportsmanship. May we never forget to take the time to celebrate such selfless acts of kindness.
What
starts here, changes the world. Making Kennedy the school of choice. Excellence
by design.
