Discussing the 2021-22 school year’s potential, faculty and students across Marlow Public Schools campuses are asking the question “Why not us?”

“Why not us?” was selected as Marlow Public School’s theme for the 2021-22 school year by Superintendent George E. Coffman Jr.

“The theme is a take-off of last year’s success in our school district,” stated Coffman. “I thought, why not us? Why can’t we be the best school with the best teachers, and why can’t we wake up everyday and give it everything we have?”

Teachers across campuses were asked to spark a conversation with his or her pupils about what the phrase meant to them, and students brought up an array of topics such as state championships, academics and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Students were then presented with the question of how he or she could achieve his or her dreams by going the extra mile—a metaphorical and sometimes literal phase that results in a champion, whether a first-plate title is included or not.

Going the extra mile might include staying late after practice, asking a teacher for help or catering to one’s personal life so he or she can focus without distractions.

Another example of going the extra mile is indulging in acts of self-care or completing a task to make life easier for oneself.

Acts of self-care have been found to benefit physical, mental and emotional health as well as one’s well-being, and according to Everyday Life, self-care promotes resilience, a longer life and better stress management.

Making one’s bed is a form of self-care that jumpstarts a day full of productivity according to Retired U.S. Navy Admiral Seal William H. McCraven, author of Make Your Bed: Little Things Can Change Your Life…and Maybe the World.

“If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day,” McCraven stated in a commencement speech at the University of Texas. “It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task, and another, and another. By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed.”

A poll revealed that out of 248 MHS student participants, only eighty—approximately 32%—make his or her bed each morning.

One of those daily bed-makers is senior Matthew Derichsweiler, a member of the Marlow Outlaw Speech Team (MOST) and the MHS drumline.

“Making my bed first thing in the morning and working out before school helps me succeed academically by getting my body and mind going early and allowing for more focus in the classroom,” expressed Derichsweiler.

Focusing in the classroom is necessary for students to prosper, and the cleanliness of one’s work environment also plays a part in students’ and faculty’s success.

Cleaner classrooms result in less school days spent at home ill and more time at school learning.

In addition, the Staples Corporation conducted a study that found that 94% of workers reported feeling more productive in a clean workspace, while 77% reported producing higher quality work in a cleaner environment.

New to the MHS staff, Custodian Nena Fowler has been hard at work ensuring that the MHS campus is squeaky clean for students and staff members.

“I believe that a clean environment helps everybody.” Fowler continued, “When you go into a filthy room you don’t feel welcome, and I hope that my work makes everyone feel welcome.”

Whether it is scrubbing the restrooms or disinfecting the classrooms, Marlow High School’s new custodians Fowler and Debbie Carter are working to ensure that students are learning in an environment that is inviting and promotes success in both academics and extracurriculars.

Small actions, such as daily bed-making and attending school where the facility is clean, add up to motivate students to take on larger obstacles that stand in their way.

When individuals start devoting themselves to tasks that help them focus without outside distractions, they are able to see the root of their faults and focus strictly on improvement.

“‘Why not us?’ relates to students too,” noted Coffman. “Students will ask, ‘Why can’t I go to college? Why can’t I make this due date? What excuses am I making that are keeping me from doing what I can do?’ If you look in the mirror and dislike who you see, why not make changes to become who you want to be?”

With the 2021-22 school year being a chance for students to start fresh and overcome adversity, Marlow High School will continue to encourage students to go the extra mile to aid in the achievement of their dreams.