Darius was the kind of student who flew just under the radar. His grades were good, but not exceptional—solid B’s with the occasional A. He was diligent, completed all his assignments on time, and participated in class discussions. But when it came time for awards or special recognition, Darius’ name was rarely called. He wasn’t the valedictorian, the star athlete, or the standout performer in the school play. He was just…Darius.

In middle school and high school, Darius often felt overshadowed by his more accomplished peers. His best friend, Lily, was a straight-A student with an exceptional GPA and a resume packed with extracurriculars. Another friend, Jake, was the captain of the soccer team and a natural leader.  Darius admired them both, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was somehow falling short.

Despite these insecurities, Darius had one thing that set him apart: a love for art. He spent hours sketching, cartooning, and experimenting with different mediums. His room was a cluttered sanctuary of pencil drawings, brushes, and paint-splattered clothes. Art was his escape, his way of expressing the emotions he couldn’t quite put into words. But in the pressure cooker of middle school and then high school, where success was measured by grades and accolades, his passion for art felt like a hobby rather than a potential future.

When it came time to apply to colleges, Darius wasn’t sure what path to take. He applied to an art school but also submitted applications to universities with broader programs, unsure if he was good enough to make a career out of his passion. He ended up getting accepted into a well-regarded state university—not for its art program, but for a general liberal arts degree. It felt like a safe choice, a way to keep his options open.

At college, Darius continued to create art in his free time, but his coursework took up most of his energy. He studied hard and maintained his steady stream of B’s and the occasional A. His professors liked him, describing Darius as a dedicated student with a strong work ethic. But Darius couldn’t shake the feeling that he was just coasting through, doing what was expected without any real direction.

One day, during his junior year, Darius’ life took an unexpected turn. He stumbled on a poster for a local art competition. The theme was “Identity,” and the first prize was a small scholarship. On a whim, Darius decided to enter. He spent weeks working on a piece that combined elements of abstract art and realistic portraiture, something he had never tried before. When he submitted his work, he didn’t expect much—maybe some polite feedback and a pat on the back.

To his surprise, Darius won first place. The judges praised his unique style and emotional depth, and for the first time, Darius felt that his art was more than just a hobby. The win gave him a newfound confidence, and he began to take his art more seriously. He started showing his work at local galleries and selling pieces online. People began to notice his talent, and soon, Darius was being commissioned for custom artwork.

After graduating from college, Darius took a leap of faith. He turned down a more conventional job offer and decided to pursue art full-time by starting his own studio. It wasn’t easy—there were months when he barely made enough to pay the rent, and he had to take on part-time jobs to make ends meet. But Darius was determined. He poured his heart into his work, creating pieces that resonated with people on a deep, emotional level.

Over time, Darius’s reputation as an artist grew. His work was featured in major galleries, and he gained a following on social media. He was invited to showcase his art in cities across the country, and his pieces were sought after by collectors. Darius’s unique style, which blended abstract and realistic elements, became his trademark, and his work was celebrated for its ability to capture the complexities of human emotion.

By the time Darius was in his early thirties, he was a well-established artist, earning a comfortable living doing what he loved. He had his own studio, a loyal client base, and the freedom to create without constraints. He had also become an advocate for the arts, speaking at schools and colleges about the importance of following one’s passion, even when it doesn’t align with traditional definitions of success.

Looking back, Darius realized that his journey had been far from conventional. He hadn’t graduated at the top of his class, and he hadn’t taken the most prestigious job. But he had something that couldn’t be measured by grades or accolades—a deep love for what he did and the perseverance to turn that love into a career.

Darius’ story became a testament to the idea that success isn’t just about achieving the highest marks or following the most traditional path. It’s about finding what you’re passionate about, working hard, and believing in yourself, even when the world seems to value other things. Darius hadn’t been the top student in his class, but he had gone on to become a great success, proving that there are many ways to achieve your dreams.

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 Coming Next Wednesday– Why Traits for Success

 From our first posting:

“As parents and teachers, we need to reclaim our traditional role as influencers of our children – not by shouting louder than the influencers our children discover online, but by stressing ideas that are more important than fancy shoes and snappy TikTok tunes. We need to emphasize traits that everyone agrees children will honor.  We need to convince our children that the people who are most important to them have a better understanding of what it takes to be successful in life.”

John Zurn began his educational career teaching fourth, fifth, and sixth grade children in K through 8^th grade independent school settings.   He went on to serve as Head of School for three independent schools over a twenty-eight year period.   John has written a book on a comprehensive school-wide character education program which was published in 2022 and updated in 2024.  He is currently working on a book directed towards teaching Traits for Success to students in grades 4 through 8.

 #charactereducation #successtraits #parentingtips #homeschooling #teachertips