Anything but magic
Everyone who knows me knows that I am a huge Harry Potter fan. I have a wand that lights up, I have a Scentsy warmer that is in the shape of the first book in the series, “The Sorcerer’s Stone,” I own all the books and movies, and I listen to the books on repeat on Libby.
Am I obsessed? Yes.
I am currently listening to “The Goblet of Fire” for the umpteenth time, and for those who don’t know, the story line of this book is the Triwizard Tournament, which is a dangerous contest between one wizard from each of three magic schools in Europe.
In a nutshell, through the efforts of the antagonist of the series, Harry ends up being thrown into the tournament as a champion, going up against three much older contestants who have a lot more experience and magical knowledge than he does.
When his name is unexpectedly chosen by the Goblet of Fire, Harry is stunned. And he is scared.
After all, he is only 14 years old and has known that he was a wizard for only four years. He felt totally unprepared for the challenges that he was facing.
For the first time as I listened to the book, I began to liken Harry’s experience being thrown into this tournament with young students who are thrown into 3A varsity competition shortly after entering high school.
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times, but the discrepancy of the level of play between middle school and varsity action is huge, and this year in particular Newcastle High School has had several young athletes thrust into important roles on several of our teams throughout the year.
Freshman Landon Hatheway and sophomore Teddy Troftgruben each took on leading roles for our football team last fall, filling the pivotal roles of running back and quarterback, respectively.
Lillie Morrill, Delainey Dresen and Adalyn Olson, all freshmen, along with Syd Pederson who is a sophomore, took on leading roles for the Lady Dogies in both volleyball and basketball in the fall and winter.
Troftgruben was also called upon to play starting point guard for the varsity Dogie basketball team in the winter, and currently, freshman Christine Swentesky is standing up to the challenge of playing goalkeeper for the Lady Dogies in soccer.
None of these roles are supporting roles. These athletes find them-
selves up against vastly more experienced players, and athletes who are simply physically more mature than themselves.
However, each has done just what Harry Potter did throughout each and every book in the series. They have shouldered the heavy responsibility placed on them and have succeeded through grit, will and determination.
In the Triwizard Tournament, Harry ends up “winning,” and in the end Harry ends up winning against the antagonist. He did it by defying the odds, not veering from the scary or the unknown, taking the advice of those who know a thing or two about any given situation, and just committing himself to the ultimate task.
We need more of that attitude today. We need more people stepping up to take on whatever task they are assigned.
Though it may not be easy, and though it’s anything but magic, it is the path to success.
