A rock with a simple message became a symbol of empowerment and strength for adviser Mike Tobias and his yearbook staff.
Going the Distance is a new blog series about embracing yearbook challenges. This is the latest installment in the series which is available on the Balfour Blog. We hope you’ll enjoy hearing from different advisers and reps around the country.
Two years ago, when I began at Port Neches-Grove, each teacher was as given a rock with a message on it and challenged to use whatever subsequent message it had as motivation for the year. Mine was “Rise Up,” and I took that message to heart.
I approached each day as if it were its own unique battle that I had to face head on. As a first-year teacher, you’re teaching and learning at the same time. By the end of the year, we met our goals and we were encouraged to pass the rock on to someone to push the challenge forward.
2020 editor Kristen Crippen and adviser Mike Tobias with the “Rise Up” rock. Photo courtesy of Mike Tobias/NDN Press, reprinted with permission
I gave it to the first yearbook editor I named, Kristen Crippen. Throughout last year, she continually showed me she was up to each challenge we faced. Sticking through things to the end and beyond, we completed our yearbook mission together.
Now that it’s been released, we can look back on PN-G’s story of 2020 forever by flipping through the pages. At last week’s pickup party, the rock was finally passed on to our new yearbook editor, Emily Smith.
As a junior, Emily has already shown me she has what I’m looking for in an editor. Whether she knows it or not, adversity will rear its head at times. I’m confident she, too, will “Rise Up” and be a leader. 
After the 2020 yearbook was distributed in September, editor Kristen Crippen passed on the rock and challenge to the 2021 editor Emily Smith. Photo by Mike Tobias/NDN Press, reprinted with permission
And with that, the #PNGrocks tradition continues. I can’t wait for y’all to see what we’re coming up with for 2021.
After 16 years as a professional journalist, Mike Tobias joined the teaching staff at Port Neches-Grove High School in Port Neches, Texas. This is his third year advising. You can follow Mike and the yearbook staff on Twitter at @miketobiasphoto and @NDN_PRESS.
