Example's 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament

Last year tenacious defense assured Carrie and her basketball chums a championship.  Coordinating uniforms with pictures of animated dogs from a television series, brought Joel and his hoopster pals a first round exit from Example's 3-on-3 basketball tournament. 

This year Example's 3on-3 basketball tournament is back.  It takes place on Saturday, March 23. Hoops action begins at noon.

Tournament Rules

• Team rosters can include up to five players.
• Only two of those players may have varsity experience
• There is a separate tournament for guys and girls
• This is a single elimination tournament.  Lose and go home.  Those who stay will be champions!
• All teams must have their players in the gym at noon. 
• Pizza, pop and snacks will be provided
• Your team roster needs to be given to Mr. Brandt by Wednesday, March 20th
• Cost is $3.00 per person whether you play or whether you watch in stupefied fascination

No injuries. Lots of fun. Great encouragement

February's Example event was a great time.  While a video is in the making that chronicles the night's excitement, we thought we'd share a couple of highlights.   

We opened the gate, turned on the stadium lights and enjoyed Sled-Fest 2013.  After last year's raging controversy, Example added various competition categories: the two-man team, the four-man team, the four-peopled co-ed team, the five-female team, the I'll-just-run-the-length-of-the-football-field-without-a-sled team.

Once the Sled-Fest champions were crowned, the action moved inside with a very fun and somewhat dangerous game of blind-man dodge ball.  

Thankfully, there were no extreme dodge ball injuries.  Egos will heal and most of Mr. Schlump's injuries were not life-threatening. 

Example would like to thank Carrie for courageously sharing her story.  The encouragement she shared and the encouragement she received from people in Example and from God's promises to His people, are what makes this group rewarding.

Example would also like to thank Steve Fox, Macomb County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, for sharing his insights concerning the legal and social consequences of illegal drug and alcohol use. 

We ended the evening with these verses from II Corinthians 4:7-12

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, 

so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. "

Blind-man dodge ball

Example's next activity is this Saturday, February 23.  One of the activities will be blind-man dodge ball.  While we won't describe all the details of the event, you can be sure that the activity will involve fun, screams, laughter, perhaps some bruising, laughter, random rule-making and an opportunity to surround yourself with others that share your willingness to have fun and make a difference.

The festivities begin at 7:00 and the cost is $3.00.

Being a parental Example is important

"...in 2012, the GfK Roper Youth Report says 73% of youth report their parents are their leading influence on whether they drink alcohol or not while less than 2% say it's the ads they see or the media they watch."

According to a Joseph Rowntree survey…

“Children who watch parents drink 'are twice as likely to binge on alcohol'

Joanna Moorhead, offered these insights in her column in the online publication, The Guardian, “It's so much easier for us to blame the media, friends and the Internet for all the bad stuff our children get up to.  And maybe this means that, instead of berating my 17-year-old daughter for sometimes, over-indulging in alcohol, I should be turning the spotlight on - gulp! myself.”

Parent: a great noun that's even a better verb.

Tonight there is a great opportunity to make nouns into verbs.  No, this isn’t a grammar lesson.  We won’t be diagramming sentences, looking for action verbs or explaining what happens when modifiers are left dangling. 

Tonight is an excellent opportunity to make parent, often used as a noun – “My parents remember using a rotary phone attached to a stretchy, curly cord”, into a verb.

Parent your children by knowing what they will be doing tonight and take measures, make decisions that will help keep them safe.  Taking car keys from underage drinkers is not the solution.  Alcohol poisoning is not averted because parents took car keys from teenagers and then allowed them to drink while partying in the basement.  

Parent your children by communicating with other parents.  If your son or daughter is staying at a friend’s house, call those parents and ask what they will do to ensure alcohol is not a part of the New Year celebration.

Parent your children by explaining to them why you care about what they will do tonight.

Parent.

Parent.

Parent.

Example's Advice to Parents

Students also offered advice to parents:

Example's Christmas Gift

 Students' Advice for Students

 

 

At our last Example event students wrote down advice they wanted other students to hear.  The temptations to drink and use drugs are always strong, but with the numerous holiday parties, they may be even stronger.   Check out the wall by the office for more words of encouragement.

Example's Christmas Party

The event began with a gift exchange.  The Most Creative Present was from Dana who gifted Nicole's life with a new goldfish.  

The Most Ewww Present went to Mereidth.  With her new supply of elastics, Meredith won't need any help with her braces for some time. 

The Most Awkward Present may have been the the booklet of creeped photos of Mr. Brandt with faces of family members replaced by a white circle and a "Your face here." message.  Mr. Brandt has contacted his legal team and is investigating if this privacy intrusion violates the Patriot Act. 

 Students acted out Christmas songs while the other groups tried to guess the title.  I believe the answer to the human contortionists pictured at the right was Joy to the World.

The evening also included the Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest.  It was a fiercely competitive battle, but at the end of the night, the people spoke and cheered, whistled and voted 

Anna as the Ugly Christmas Sweater Champion of 2012

The evening closed with the study of I Timothy 4:12.  Paul encourages Timothy to be strong and not let others look down on him because he is young.  The advice Paul gave Timothy is the same advice we can apply to our lives.  Our response to the mercy and grace freely given to us through Christ's death and resurrection, is to be examples to others in speech, life, love, faith and purity.  Students then wrote advice to other students and parents about how to avoid the temptations of alcohol and drug use.  Their encouraging words of advice are posted in the main hallway by the office.

For more pictures and videos check out  Example on Facebook.

Example Advice to Students...and Parents

One event at Example's Christmas party involved students writing down advice they would like to give to their friends and parents.  The comments will be displayed along the main hallway this week.  Here are just a few examples of Example advice

Students' Advice to Students: During vacation there are plenty of temptations to drink and use drugs.  This is not part of God's plan for us.  What advice could you give to your friends that will help them avoid these temptations?

• Be strong in the Lord. He is with you and will guide you. Don't give into the temptations that the devil puts in front of you.  Remember, that God is with you and will give you strength. 
• Spend time with friends and family who will encourage you to make smart decisions.  The decision to say "No" is easier when there are others backing you up. 
• Put yourself in situations where you are not going to be tempted.
• "One time" could be the "one time" too many.  It is not worth it.

Students' Advice to Parents: So often we look to parents for advice. Their wisdom and experience are encouraging and helpful. What advice could you give parents that would help and encourage you to avoid the dangers of drinking and drugs?

• Set a good example for those you come in contact with.  Acknowledge that underage drinking and drugs are bad, and support those who choose to make the right decision.
• Ground your kids in scripture.
• Be responsible with how much and what you drink.  Set an example to your kids.
• Supporting underage drinking doesn't help anyone.  Don't try to be the "cool" parent. It puts people in danger. Be smart and Responsible

Pictures and videos of the Christmas party will be posted soon.

Recycle, Reuse, Reduce and REGIFT!

This just in....

Bring a wrapped, white elephant gift to the Example Christmas Party this Saturday, December 15.  Confused?  We will exchange gifts at the Example Christmas party.  Find something odd, quirky or useful around the house, wrap it up and watch the hilarity ensue when Franky picks your gift.  

Don't have anything quirky or creative lying around the house?  Hustle over to Aunt Matilda's homestead.  I know, I know.  You were just there looking for an ugly Christmas sweater.  Well, she had that so you know she'll have something you can use for a white elephant gift.  

Recycle, Reuse, Reduce and REGIFT

Let's be honest.  You never found a use for that cookie cutter shaped like a carburetor.  Crazy Uncle Ned thought he was doing you a favor.  Do yourself a favor and unload that baby at the Example Christmas party.  Regifting is strongly encourage.  The more outrageous the gift, the better. 

The party begins at 7:00.  Cost is $3.00