Theresa Dardanell
Every Friday at Catoctin High School, students get a “dose of positivity.” That’s how teacher and coach Michael Franklin describes Fired Up Friday. This weekly event provides an opportunity for students and staff to share positive experiences, encourage others through difficult times, acknowledge good deeds, and become motivated to be better citizens.
It all started in 2012 after the Sandy Hook School shootings. Mike Franklin, along with the physical education department staff—Dana Brashear, Doug Williams, and Amy Entwhistle—wanted to acknowledge positive instead of negative news. A special event every Friday was created to recognize random acts of kindness. Students are encouraged to “catch” classmates doing something good, no matter how big or small. One student saw someone drop a $10 bill in the hall. He picked it up and took it to him in his classroom. Another student raised hundreds of dollars to donate to a charity. Several students held a fundraiser for a classmate with a serious illness. Another gave a special treat to all of the cafeteria workers and custodians to thank them for their hard work. These students are only a few who have been recognized in the past five years. Along with the recognition they receive during the event, they get a special T-shirt. Andrew Franklin from Norris Auto has donated at least fifty T-shirts every year for this program.
This popular program has grown to include motivational speakers, who share their stories. Jason Polanski, a former CHS student who is blind, talked about how he overcame hardships and how he faces his obstacles. Paratriathlete Scot Seiss shared his experiences. Every year, during the special Friday college program, CHS alumni return and talk about the pressures they encounter and how to deal with them. Former CHS students, who are now police officers in Frederick County, were recently honored during one of the programs.
Some of the Friday events feature inspirational videos about topics that include random acts of kindness, leadership, teamwork, and awareness of disabilities. After the videos, students and staff have the opportunity to discuss what is presented and share their own personal experiences. A message in one of the videos sums up the program: “You can contribute. You have Value. You can serve others.”
Max Bingman earns a “Fired Up Friday” T-shirt for bringing every cafeteria worker and custodian a candy bar to show appreciation.
