Leaders Might not Always Win, but they Never Lose

On Saturday, November 8, a group of Julia Landon 8th graders gave up their Saturday morning to be a part of the City Rescue Mission's Great American Bed Race which was held on the athletic field at Julia Landon College Prep. The Great American Bed Race is one of the fund raising events sponsored by the City Rescue Mission, an organization in Jacksonville which provides job training, help with substance abuse, and temporary housing to Jacksonville's people in need.

This year's theme was the 60's.

Of the 12-entries, Julia Landon was the only school represented. Other than one church sponsored high school youth organization, the other 10-beds were entered by corporate groups.

Half way through our team's heat, the front wheels of the bed broke. Undaunted, team members lifted the front of the bed and pulled it across the finish line as seen in the photo.

While our Great American Bed Race team didn't bring home the trophy, each member is still a winner. Each walked away with a sense of accomplishment as they gave back something to our community. No trophy is worth more than what they learned while researching the cultural, political, and scientific climate of the 60's; or what they learned about construction and principals of engineering as they worked together to build their bed. They learned together, they worked together, they laughed together, they gave of themselves and their time, and they helped make a difference. In this instance of leadership by example we see that leaders might not always win, but they never lose.