When I entered Peninsula High School in September 2008, my schedule had a course on it that I did not remember registering for.
Even worse, my schedule had a class on it that I didn't sign up for and was taught by the principle.
I cannot remember the specific name of the class, but it was homeroom related.
All of the other homeroom related classes were designed to help students put together portfolios that represented their year.
This particular class was different though.
In this class we completed the required assignments and did the mandatory busy work...
but we also talked,
a lot.
We talked about what it meant to smile,
laugh,
dream,
and inspire.
We talked about what it meant to challenge,
question,
observe,
and love.
Mr. Winter and Miss Cardinal were the teachers of this course, and their vision was so much greater than this one year.
Their vision was not to teach one group of 15 freshman students what it means to love.
Their vision was to teach every student
every teacher
every administrator
every coach
every maintenance man
every parent
and every soul that stepped foot onto Peninsula High School's campus
what it means to love.
That academic year soon finished and quickly faded into summer,
and summer then faded into fall.
It was still the first quarter when I got a slip of paper that requested my immediate dismissal of class in order to go to the principal's office.
I didn't think that I had done anything wrong... but of course, my brain was swimming with possible reasons for my appearance.
When I entered the room, I was greeted by a few of my peers.
Mr. Winter was not to be found.
We were all curious as to why we were in the principal's office,
but none of us could think of a reason
(or if we did, it did not include the random assortment that we were).
After standing outside the door and laughing at us, I'm sure, Mr. Winter entered the room.
He then welcomed us to the "Greater Than Yourself" program.
Our assignment was simple,
he hand-picked us for our specific gifts and abilities and gave us one job:
love.
Love each other.
Love your fellow students.
Love your staff.
But, love with purpose...
Dare to do something greater than yourself.
Mr.Winter gave all of us an opportunity to serve.
In the inspiring book, Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World, written by Bob Goff... Goff writes
"Words can launch us. We don't need to be a dean to say words that change everything for someone. Instead, God made it so that ordinary people like you and me can launch each other."
Mr. Winter did just that.
He loved each and every student, faculty member, and parent that set foot in PHS.
He didn't stop there though.
He was not content to just pour himself into the lives of those around him, he took it to the next level.
He inspired.
He told us that we are awesome.
And he meant it.
I remember driving by PHS last summer and reading the giant memo board.
It greatly contrasted the GHHS memo board that I had passed earlier that day which read "Pay your fees, or don't graduate."
PHS's board said "Do something that you're awesome at today."
How great is that?
He believes that each and every one of us has something that we could be considered "awesome" for doing, and he encourages us to find what that is and then to do it.
I looked up the definition of awesome.
"extremely impressive... inspiring great admiration."
He looks into your eyes and calls you awesome.
And he's not kidding.
Mr. Winter would walk down the halls and say hi to each and every student he passed.
Oh, and he would do it by name.
How many students attend Peninsula High School?
On top of that, how many people work at Peninsula High School?
I'm going to guess that the total is greater than 30, which is about my limit when it comes to name remembering.
Not for Mr. Winter though-- he knew them all.
He knew them all because he knew the importance of calling by name.
When somebody knows your name, it shows that they took the time to commit you to memory.
They truly care.
You are not random.
You are specific.
Just about every single day of the four years I spent at PHS, I would run into Mr. Winter in the hallway.
He would energetically say "Hi, Kayla!"
I would respond with a similar greeting, but the brief conversation would not stop there.
He would then ask me "Livin' the dream?"
And I would respond with some version of "Oh yeah, Mr. Winter, I'm livin' the dream."
And I wouldn't lie.
I was living the dream.
And if on occasion I did not feel like I was living the dream, Mr. Winter asking me would make me realize that yeah, I'm definitely living the dream.
In the book of Acts, Luke writes of the beginning and spread of the church. In chapter four, a new character is introduced to the story. His name is Barnabas. It says, "Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas, sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet." (4:36)
Now, in this passage there is a lot to say about generosity, but what I love most is the name that the apostles name this character: Barnabas.
Barnabas means "son of encouragement".
These people looked at Barnabas and said, "Man, that guy knows how to encourage."
"He really knows how to brighten someone's day."
"He genuinely loves."
"We shall call him Barnabas so all will know of his great encouragement."
Mr.Winter, we shall call you Barnabas, so all will know of your great encouragement.
During my junior and senior years at PHS I was not able to be as present at school as I had been able to be during my freshman and sophomore years.
My life's pace began to quicken and my physical time between the walls of PHS was limited.
Church,
Sports,
Work,
Family,
Boyfriend,
Friends,
Volunteer Projects...
I was unable to be present at school.
That did not mean, however that Mr. Winter ceased to be present with me.
"Kayla, are you livin' the dream?"
"You know it Mr. Winter, I'm livin' the dream."
One day, during junior year English, Mr. Winter came into my classroom (while the teacher was lecturing...) and sat down next to me.
He listened to the teacher talk for about 15 seconds and then leaned over towards me and whispered,
"Hey Kayla"
So I responded under my breath, "Hey Mr. Winter"
He listened to the teacher for another 15 seconds and then leaned over to me and said,
"So, did ya watch Glee last night? I can't believe what Sue did..."
We briefly talked about Glee and then he left.
I have no idea what the teacher was talking about that day...
but I will have this memory of Mr. Winter being intentional with me forever.
High School is a formative time.
It is in high school that social norms are really defined.
Thanks to Mr. Winter, thousands of high schoolers from the small town of Gig Harbor have been taught through experience the importance of intentionality and love.
They might not notice it now, and they may never be able to pinpoint where these counter cultural normative instincts were birthed.
But I know,
and now you know.
Mr. Winter has left a legacy of encouragement, selflessness, compassion and boldness in the harbor.
I know it,
students know it,
the community knows it,
parents know it,
other schools know it,
and soon eastern Washington will know it.
A young man I knew in high school has continued schooling at the University of Washington and I can say with full confidence will go on to change the world.
He truly recognizes the significance that Mr. Winter has had in his life and is not shy to share it with others.
On his dorm room wall he has printed several pictures of his heroes.
Rightfully so, Mr. Winter is up there with the best of em'.
Benjamin Summerour's dorm room wall; Mr. Winter is pictured on the far right.
I was blessed with the opportunity to give my senior presentation to Mr. Winter.
I can think not of a more fit way to conclude my high school experience than presenting about how high school has grown me in the areas of character, service and leadership than being able to look a true hero in the eyes and say, "you."
Since graduating I have been able to return to the harbor and get lunch with Mr. Winter.
I will miss that opportunity now that you are no longer in western Washington.
The people in eastern Washington do not realized how blessed they are.
You, Mr. Winter, are one of the most influential adults in my life.
Thank you.
I'm livin' the dream...
are you?
In Gaborone, Botswana wearing my "Be Awesome!" shirt.
