Fort Report: Above the Line
Congressman Fortenberry speaks with the senior class at Arlington High School
"Take pride in yourself, your community, and your class. Give 100%. Be responsible for your actions. See it, own it, solve it, do it – find solutions and put them into action."
These are just a few examples of the words of wisdom and instruction that Arlington High School students can find posted throughout their school, and hear regularly from their teachers and administrators.
Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to speak with the senior class at Arlington High, which is located in Washington County and consistently ranks as one of the top-performing academic high schools in our state. The principal, Andrew Farber, enthusiastically shared with me the school's teaching principle, a guiding narrative he calls living "Above the Line."
Living above the line, in essence, encourages students to be accountable for their actions. It stresses a 90/10 philosophy, that one can control 90 percent of the happenings and surroundings in his or her life, while only 10 percent may be beyond individual control. Its central tenet is that there are consequences to actions, positive and negative.
This emphasis on accountability and personal responsibility has seemingly contributed to impressive results. The students I talked to were collegial, scholarly, and inquisitive, and we had a wide-ranging and thoughtful discussion about current affairs and civic responsibility. The town of Arlington was recently named the second best place in America to raise kids by Bloomberg Businessweek. No doubt the quality of this school system plays a key role in that extraordinary recognition.
I am continually impressed by young Nebraskans living throughout the First District. A few weeks ago, the Bellevue West High School Air Force Junior ROTC came to visit Washington for the Air Force Nationals Drill Competition. I met them on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. Like their peers in Arlington, the students were full of energy, as young people should be, but also very disciplined and with a healthy respect those placed in authority to guide them. The next day, they won first place in the Regulation Drill with Rifle Category, and Cadet Chris Harris was recognized as the "Top Armed Commander."
That same week, an energetic group of 8th graders from Lux Middle School in Lincoln joined me on a chilly afternoon on the Capitol steps. They were excited to be in Washington, see and talk with their Congressman, and experience the nature of our system of government. Many young Nebraskans come to Washington each year, and our office is always happy to welcome them.
Despite the divisiveness and cynicism that often envelopes Washington and our public discourse, the enthusiasm and commitment to excellence of so many of our Nebraska youth is a key building block for the well-being of our nation. Living "above the line" is a great example for us all.
