Dear Families,

My first time as a track coach was at a school with a cinder track. Before the advent of the synthetic all-weather tracks, schools often had cinder tracks comprised of several layers of rock and dirt, with the top layer comprised of small partially burnt pieces of coal. Before each track meet, we would flatten the surface with a heavy roller to give the track a nice smooth appearance. Thus, with the proper running spikes, the cinder track was a relatively fast and even surface.

As you can imagine however, there were also downsides to the cinder track. For example, the surface of the track would loosen each time someone ran on it. The track would become less stable and racing times would become slower. Also, if a runner lost his/her footing and fell on the track, the cinders would often embed themselves into the skin of the fallen runner. We kept a first aid kit handy along with a special solvent called “Cinder-Go” to loosen and remove the cinders from the stricken runner.

Most of our other competitors had all-weather tracks and were not used to a cinder track so when we hosted a meet, it could sometimes impact the other team. At one of our school's home track meets, a visiting team had a state-level high jumper with a tremendous amount of talent. This athlete enjoyed demonstrating his jumping skills and decided to set the bar high for his first jump.

Each time the young man approached the bar, the cinders on the track caused him to slip and lose his step. He tried multiple times to make the highest jump and became quite frustrated throughout the whole process. Even though the bar was much lower than his best record, he never made a successful jump.

I can remember his coach putting his arm around him and telling him, “Next time, start at the lower settings so you can adjust to the new conditions.” This message stuck with me as an important reminder regarding how preparation is directly connected to the final outcome.

On this Memorial Day weekend, I thought it would be an ideal opportunity for us all to reflect upon upon how preparation is an integral part of success. The definition of the word preparation is “the action or process of making something ready for use or service.” The level to which we can achieve on a test, perform in a race or handle an interview is directly related to our preparation. Our veterans understand this and the military does an outstanding job of training and drilling our soldiers to perform well at all times.

Over the past 89 years, Malden Catholic students have been well prepared for the future and the bar continues to be set very high for those with a MC education. As we come to our final week of school, I encourage our students to finish strong and look for ways to continue their education over the summer by reading and pursuing meaningful opportunities for work and service.

I Corinthians 2:9 No eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived the things God has prepared for those who love Him.

Thank you for your support,

John K. Thornburg