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RUDY REPORT:
An Amazing Story of Self-Discovery
Heather Wright
Friday, February 17, 2006
GLC 20
Ms. Di Paolo
Introduction
Over his four years of university, Rudy learned many things about himself - many things that he did not know that he could accomplish. His dedication proved to himself that he could do anything he wanted, and in this report I will state how his skills developed him into the person he always wanted to be.
Choices
Rudy had to choose whether he would work in his father’s factory, or go to Notre Dame and play football, his lifelong dream. Pete helped Rudy’s decision by always believing in him and believing that he could do it, if that’s what he really wanted. This was definitely a positive choice for Rudy because he ended up getting to play, he got a quality education, and he showed everyone that he could not only follow, but accomplish his dreams. Rudy had the option of quitting university, his tutoring and even the football team, but he always chose to stick with it.
Changes
A major change in Rudy’s life was when Pete died. This made Rudy take another look at where his life was heading. He then knew it was time for him to make another change: go to university. He knew that Pete always wanted him to play for Notre Dame, and now that Pete was gone, he felt he could do a tribute to Pete. After getting into Holy Cross, Rudy had to make another change, and adapt to the college way of life. And after Holy Cross, he had to adapt to Notre Dame, and the strenuous practices of the Notre Dame football team.
Role Models/Mentors
Rudy’s biggest role model was his best friend Pete. Pete was the only one who believed in him and that he could play for Notre Dame one day. Pete passed away, and Rudy knew that he should really do what he wanted to do. He knew that if Pete could live another day, he would want to see Rudy play for Notre Dame and would probably want to live his own dreams as well. Other role models for Rudy were his tutor, his priest and his parents. Although these people did not think that Rudy could make the football team, they let him do his own thing and they thought he would fail, then having to learn from his mistakes. He ended up surprising them all and they were so amazed by him. They loved him and were so proud of him, and he wanted to share all his success with him, so he invited them all to the game.
Self-Assessment
Rudy recognized in himself that although he did not have the academic skills for Notre Dame, he knew that he had the courage and dedication to raise his academic skills. He did raise them, after many failed attempts at acceptance from Notre Dame, and once he was there he kept a passing mark to stay on the team. He also recognized that he had football skill, and along with his courage, his football skills allowed him to make the team at Notre Dame and even play for a few seconds in his very last game.
Transferable and Employability Skills
Rudy had great teamwork skills, and no matter how badly the rest of his team treated him, he kept his cool and accepted it as being part of being on a team. He demonstrated a positive attitude by always practicing his hardest, in hopes that he could some day dress and play a game. He was able to work with others, when he ask to volunteer with the grounds keeper, and got a part time job out of it. He’d always come to work with a smile on and ready to help - ready to do anything in order to be involved with the Notre Dame team before he was even on it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Rudy adapted skills that made him become successful in many ways, and accomplish his goals. Rudy represents the courage that we all wish we could have, and is an inspiring role model.
RUDY CASE STUDY
1. Rudy’s father wanted him to work at his factory instead of getting an education. His father figured that there was no way that Rudy could find a better job with better pay, and therefore saw no reason for him to continue his education after high school. Rudy’s family also did not have the money to support his post-secondary education, and so working in his father’s factory seemed like the best idea for Rudy.
2. I feel that a parent should not push their child into a certain career. This would take away the child’s individuality, and by pushing them into a certain career then what would happen if they did not succeed? For example, if a parent was pushing their child to be a doctor, and no matter how many times they tried, they could not get into medical school, then what would they do for a career? Parents can’t have everything go their own way, and once their children reach a certain age, they need to let go of them and let them make their own decisions. If parents make decisions for their child’s career, then their child should not be expected to be able to make other life-changing decisions of their own. If a child would not enjoy the career that their parents were pushing them in, then I believe they would not be successful, in the sense that they would not be as happy doing that then as doing something of their own personal choice.
3. I think that Rudy left for Notre Dame immediately following Pete’s death because it was a tribute to Pete. Pete died so young and Rudy felt that he should live his dreams now before it’s too late. Also, since Pete was Rudy’s best friend, and his family wanted to choose his career for him, Rudy had no reason to stay. Pete believed in him when no one else would, and Rudy believe this was a way to show everyone that if he put his mind to it, he could do whatever he dreamed of.
4. It was possible for Rudy to be the smallest on the team and still have the most tackles because Rudy had the most heart and put the most effort into his games. He tried his hardest, and no one else on the team could compare to the dedication and determination Rudy had.
5. To get into Notre Dame, Rudy had to take classes over and over at Holy Cross until his marks were high enough. He also hired a tutor, which he paid for by introducing the tutor to girls around campus. He talked one-on-one with the coach to show he would be committed, and then talked with the grounds keeper to volunteer at the field. The grounds keeper ended up paying him minimum wage, and let him sleep in his office (Rudy had no place to stay). Rudy sought help from the priest at Holy Cross as well, who kept his spirits up. He also joined the booster club, where they painted the football teams helmets. He did anything he could to be involved in the team before he was actually on the team. Rudy applied over and over to Notre Dame and was finally accepted after all his hard work.
6. 5 characteristics of Rudy are that he is:
Determined
Confident
Successful
Stubborn
A Risk-taker - Rudy gave up the career that was placed before him and left everything he had to go to university: family, friends, a home, and of course, a job.
7. In the same situation, I believe that I would not have the same determination and courage as Rudy. I don’t think that I could handle all of the rejection he took, especially without his best friend by his side during those times. If there was something to change about me, I would want to be come as courageous as Rudy.
8. To pursue a dream, support an individual would need is:
Emotional support - To handle rejection or failure, an individual would need emotional support to help them get back on their feet and start fresh.
Academic support - An individual needs to know what to do in order to complete their job, whether it be education or coaching of some sort.
Positive support - Words of encouragement from people along the way would be essential to pursuing a dream of any kind.
9. The message in this video relates to a Career Studies course by inspiring students to do whatever they want to do. Goals and dreams can be accomplished by anyone - even tiny little Rudy could play football for Notre Dame. It’s just how focused you are to your goals, and the guidance you have along the way. A career is everything you do in your life that makes you, you.
10. I believe that Rudy is a great success because he did what he wanted, whether anyone else wanted him to or not. He didn’t take any rude comments or remarks, and always believed in himself that he could do it. Even if Rudy had never been on the field to play, he still would have been a success for making it that far without giving up. He went against his parents wishes, and then ended up impressing them and making them extremely proud.
What Is Success:
Justin Pogge
Heather Wright
GLC 20
Friday, February 17, 2006
Ms. Di Paolo
The person I have chosen for my “What Is Success” assignment is Justin Pogge, a (hockey) goaltender for the Calgary Hitmen and Team Canada at the 2006 IIHF World Junior Championships in British Columbia. Born in Fort McMurray, Alberta, on April 22, 1986, Justin has played hockey for most of his life, and at such a young age has become very successful.
I consider Justin successful because when he was still inside the womb, his mother Annet was considering committing suicide. At their engagement party, she had just told his soon-to-be father that she was four months pregnant, and he stormed out furiously, never to be seen by her again. Humiliated and devastated, she later went to a local bridge and was about to jump off, wishing to end her life. Suddenly, she felt a kick, from Justin of course. She then realized that although she may not have a partner anymore, she would still have a child to love and care for. From that day forward, Annet’s love has kept Justin alive and well, and his love has kept her alive and well. Justin could not control whether or not his mother decided to jump, but he is still successful for being alive, considering that he may not have ever lived a day outside his mother. He was raised without a father, and his mother fell deep into debt and sacrificed so much to raise Justin and start his career in hockey. Since that day, his mother has been Justin’s biggest role model and has never thought about suicide again.
Another reason why I believe Justin is successful is because in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, he was drafted 90th overall to the Toronto Maple Leafs. On December 20, 2005, Justin was signed by the Leafs to a three-year contract. The difference between drafting and signing a player is when a player is drafted, the team owns their rights, (almost like getting a “dibs” on the player), so that they can play for the team when they have more professional experience. However, a player needs to be signed after being drafted, to play for the team in any way. Justin’s Hitmen coach, Kelly Kisio is very proud of him: “There’s no question he’s been one of our most valuable players this season. He’s worked very hard and deserves it.” Comments were made by all of Justin’s teammates, saying that he is a real team player and does his absolute best every game - a great guy to have on a team. Justin has also visited children’s hospitals in all the cities he’s played for, and visited schools to promote literacy for all ages. He regularly participates in charity events of all sorts, from sports games to homeless care fundraisers. He has a love for helping people and working with others as a team.
Lastly, I believe that Justin Pogge is a success because over the winter break (December 26, 2005 - January 5, 2006), he represented Canada as the team’s goaltender at the IIHF World Junior Championships. The world juniors happen at the same time every year, and are an under-twenty competition between ten hockey-crazy countries: the United States, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Latvia, Norway, and Canada. This noted Justin as the best Canadian goaltender under the age of twenty. He recorded three shutouts (no goals were scored on him for the entire game) in the tournament, setting a new Canadian record. He set his goals extremely high, and his exceptional talents allowed Canada to participate in the gold-medal game against Russia. He saved thirty-five shots of thirty-five taken, which ended up as his third shutout. Canada defeated Russia five to nothing, and Canada took home the gold medal. After the game, Justin was awarded Most Valuable Player award, of the entire tournament. He then linked arms with his teammates, swaying and singing ‘O Canada’ with heavy medallions of gold hung around their necks, and watched as the Canada flag was raised to the rafters. He was then honored by his Western Hockey League team, the Calgary Hitmen, with a pre-game ceremony, before his first game back. The crowd gave a standing ovation and it was one of Justin’s proudest moments, knowing that even his efforts on another team were appreciated by his hometown fans. From the world juniors, Justin said that he’s learned to stay calmer in games back at home, after representing his country in one of the most prestigious international hockey competitions for young players. “Every game in this tournament has been the biggest game of my life,” said Justin. Games these days with the Hitmen don’t compare to how nervous he was before the gold-medal game versus Russia. For the remainder of his season with the Hitmen, Justin has said what he wants to undertake: “Definitely a championship. I want to win the championship. I think we have the team to do it and if we play like a team every night we’re the best team in the league. We set our goals high and we want to have them come true.”
Success to me is living the life of your dreams. If you wake up and go do what you want to do, every single day, that is successful. Just getting a high-paying job or becoming famous is not necessarily successful; it only is success if it makes you happy. If making money or being famous is what makes you happy, then by all means, that is success. But if looking up to your mother, playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs, volunteering across the nation, and representing your country is what makes you happy, then that is success as well.
In conclusion, although Justin Pogge is only nineteen years old, he has accomplished so much. Many of his dreams have already come true, and hopefully as he grows older, more and more success will come his way. Finally, about winning the championship with the Calgary Hitmen, is it likely to happen? Well, the Hitmen are in the top spot in the Western Hockey League. Justin has thirty wins with the team, including fourteen in a row. He has not lost a hockey game since mid-November, 2005. I think Justin is well on his way to success…again.
- Although he was nearly persuaded to work in his father’s factory, Rudy stuck it out and chose to take his own path, with no distractions taking hold of him. - He reached all his goals, which took him quite a long time and quite a lot of work, but he was happy to do it and believed that it was all worth it. He impressed his parents, got into Notre Dame and got to play for their football team. - Everyone always told him that he was crazy and that there was no way someone of his size could ever make the Notre Dame football team, let alone play on it. He ignored every rude remark and kept going until he had reached his goal. - He never gave up no matter how many times he was not accepted, or even when he was kicked off the booster club. He didn’t play until his very last game, and still stuck through it just for those few seconds on the field.