It’s Getting Gritty in Here!

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Grit is something that is both learned and improvable. Most students have heard the term, but not all are familiar with the fact that it can be built.

Triton teachers have multiple different opinions on whether the Triton community is full of kids with grit, or if the Triton community lacks grit as a whole. So, let’s find out who in the Triton community has the grit it takes to be successful.

A Triton Voice investigation found a student who fulfilled the role of a Triton student who uses grit to succeed academically, and athletically. We spoke to a guidance counselor about her thought upon if Triton has grit. In addition, we spoke to a math teacher who teaches students at Triton about her opinion. Lastly, the Triton Voice found a student who has grit and asked him how he uses grit to succeed. The Voice obtained information about how grit can be used to push through the hard stuff going on in people lives in order to continue to succeed in life.

Grit can be expressed in a variety of ways. From the kids who show their grit through exceptional grades, to kids who express their grit through experiencing tragic events in their lives. We all know that “one kid”who seems like they have it all: good grades, a great social life, is leader in the community, and has countless other feathers to add to their cap as they get older and older. However, jumping to conclusions is something all of us high-schoolers love to do, and we may not realize the certain pressures some of our “smartest” peers endure to achieve success at school.

Tyler Godfrey, is a well liked and model junior here at Triton. Godfrey stands at the high scale of number two on the junior class rank, and is a varsity athlete. This particular student shows immense grit to every teacher and peer that gets to know him and his drive for success.

“Grit is the will to get things done, like doing the dirty work and the little things that make you hard to play against in sports,” shared Godfrey when asked what his definition of grit was.

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“Being mentally tough when things hit the fan and not giving in,” added Godfrey.

He also explained that his view of grit was being tough to better yourself, which is relatable to any driven individual’s point of view.

Godfrey most definitely did not take easy street when selecting his course placement for his junior year. His day consists of the following, AP English Language and Composition, AP US History, Honors Precalculus, Honors Advanced Programming, AP Chemistry, Honors Physics, Honors Spanish, and finally for a little fun, Lifetime Sports. You may think to yourself, if I received at least a C in each of those tricky classes I would be thrilled! However, this is not the case for eager Godfrey, only straight A+’s will satisfy.

“My parents push me to do well in school and don’t accept anything but that. If they weren’t as tough, it would be easier to slack off and not do as well in school, although I feel I still could (do well) if I tried.”

Supports at home may be the catalyst for a gritty character trait in a student, and with having a stable family life, social life and lastly, good health are other additives that contributes to achieving success in the learning environment.

While grit can be found within the Triton community in students like Godfrey, math teacher Heather Walter, finds the Triton community lacking grit.

“In classes I have, I don’t see as much grit,” said Walter. “I see students expecting teachers to bend over backwards to make them successful.”

Walter has a strong opinion about how Triton students tend to lack grit. She finds that her students don’t complete homework assignments and don’t take the notes she guides them through during class; yet, they still expect to do well in her class.

“Students are apathetic,” stated Walter when asked if she finds students having grit. In addition she stated that students don’t tend to have an interest in the material that they are learning during school.

Controversy between whether students have grit is apparent through opinions of teachers within the Triton community. Some see grit within their students while others do not. Grit is apparent in everybody’s life at one point or another; between people using grit to succeed academically, athletically or internally it is still apparent.