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Lexington Herald-Leader GEAR UP Gazette
Published October, 2007
Berea, KY - For hundreds of years runners attempted to run a mile
in under four minutes. Runners tried and tried, but simply
could not make it in less than those impervious four minutes. One
runner, Roger Bannister, was determined to break the 4 minute mile
barrier. Repeatedly, he mentally pictured himself crossing
the finish line in less than four minutes. He also counted
the number of strides he would have to execute to run that 4 minute
mile. Finally, Bannister accomplished the feat of running
the four minute mile and within 6 months over thirty other runners
had accomplished the feat as well.
Did Bannister make the other runners faster? Of course
not, he simply provided a model for other runners. They then realized
they could do it. Bannister’s accomplishment removed
the mental barrier of the impossibility of the 4 minute mile. As
educators and citizens, we have the responsibility of removing
barriers faced by our children and providing models of success.
Typically, the word “college” is not used in the homes
of many students who come to school from disadvantaged backgrounds. A
challenge for schools and communities is to lift student aspirations
and assist students in creating a mental picture of attending and
graduating from college. Creating that mental picture and
overcoming those barriers takes many forms. Academically preparing
students for the rigor of college work, attending cultural functions
on college campuses, and familiarizing students with college are
critical ways of lifting student aspirations. Perhaps most critical
is the continual expressing of our faith that each child can attend
and graduate from college
Like the runners who broke the 4 minute mile after Roger Bannister
obliterated the mental barrier, our students can run the “college” race
if we break the mental barrier of attending college.
Mike Hogg, Principal
Berea Community Elementary School
A Berea College GEAR UP Partnership School
For more information contact:
Terry Hosler
Berea College GEAR UP
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