Following Leaders and Becoming One

by Theodore Prieboy
The summer after graduating eighth grade, I thought, whats next? Then it hit me, that
whole summer Id be busy with cross country running just like I was during middle school
summers. So I attended the summer practices held by Mr. Newman, it felt strange, running for
a high school was a completely different level than middle school. That summer I just stuck to
myself and ran the hardest Ive ever ran before.
As summer quickly ended and the real season started, I thought here comes the time to
prove myself.The first race came, I made it clear, I can be as competitive as all the
upperclassmen on the team. After that race Id be running on varsity from now on, me, a
freshman. It became easy to make friends with all the upperclassman after they realized that I
could compete at their level. I looked up to all the older guys on varsity like Anthony Schalk,
Angel Rosario, Hugo Hernandez and Jake Godlewski. They would mess with me, joke around
and always make me do the stupid things that coach Newman would go nuts about. It was easy
looking up to them following their rule, mimicking every move that they did. No matter how
outrageous, everything they did seemed right and nothing else could be. As the meets got more
serious, so did everyone else, and before we knew it, we went down to Quincy, Illinois for
sectionals. Joliet West hadnt sent a cross country team to sectionals in over ten years until that
year! Soon the season ended and the team and I said farewell to the senior captains Anthony
and Angel.
Sophomore year, the summer running was decent, the team looked strong and we had
goals. Because of the previous season success, we were anxious to race. We had newly
named captains; Hugo, Jake, and our newest member, a transfer from JCA Paul. These guys
were nuts, they made running more fun than anyone can imagine. For myself and the other
varsity underclassman Sean Youell, Sabby Arroyo and Dan Treasure, we never had a bad run
that whole year. Whether we did a hard workout like mile repeats or an easy mile run, our
seniors made us want to get out of our comfort zone and go all out and leave nothing behind,
and so we did. The season was amazing, we were all competing at a level we had never done
before, we were running personal records. I could only think that the reason we ran that fast is
because of the guys we looked up to, our captains. The presence of a captain should have an
affect on you like it did on me. I, as well as my teammates, felt like we had to prove ourselves to
them, make them feel like we were worthy to be around them. Whether it was during cross
country or outside of the sport we all had a special bond, we would compete everywhere we
went; the bowling alley, the basketball gym, miniature golf, all the way down to who could hold
their breath underwater the longest. With the team and the leaders we had my sophomore year
of running, we went to sectionals again and made other teams know that Joliet West cross
country should be on their radar. But of course, every great story has an ending and as we were
losing three great runners and captains Hugo, Jake and Paul; we knew we still had a legacy to
carry on, compete and survive Regionals and get to Sectionals, maybe even state.
As junior year kicks off, new captains, Sean Youell and Matt Sova begin their reign. It
was not the most successful year of summer running, but it would pay off for some of our
runners. The way that Sean and Matt attempted to motivate us was not effective for most of the
team. One runner in particular did not let this lack of leadership deter him from reaching new

heights in our junior year. Dan Treasure made it to state this year. Even though the team was
not as strong as years past the season was not entirely wasted because we all enjoyed
ourselves and bonded with our seniors. Although they were not the best leaders in the sport
they helped shape our lives and guide us in the right direction for our class work, college
selection, and life in general. Even though we were not the best we did make it to sectionals as
a team. After that, our captains bid us farewell and left us with heavy hearts and goals set high
for next year.
Senior year came much too fast that summer. Organizing runs did not go as smoothly as
it used to when we had set guys to look up to. This years captains were soon decided, Josh
Pearson and Sabby Arroyo. Dan and I still know that we are going to be held accountable to
lead our underclassmen in the right direction, as we both have been on varsity four years, but
really none of us know how to handle the role of being the role models. It was so easy the last
three years when I had people to follow. This year will be a challenge for both leading ourselves
and the underclassmen to a greater goal. In our attempt to make it to state for the first time as a
team in many years, I must step up and lead the underclassmen just like the past captains have
led me in my cross country career. I have learned much from them and I plan to teach that to
the newer runners. Cross country has become more than a sport for the past years, Ive made
friends whom I will be connected with my whole life, its obvious to me that I shall keep all the
lessons and advice that my senior leaders have taught me and pass them down.
Feedback Guide
Name:_______________________________

Period:_________

The following guide to feedback rates the students demonstrated achievement for each of the standards of
the assignment. The following scale is used:
Level of Demonstrated Achievement

Descriptor

Excellent

Proficient

Adequate

Limited

Incomplete

Purpose (X 2.5): 4
Conveys a significant literacy event that considers the entire rhetorical situation
Genre (X2.5): 3
Captures the authors moment and demonstrates the significance of this moment by containing an
explicit or implicit thesis that unifies the piece, using vivid detail, and demonstrating sophisticated
reflection
Design/Layout:4

 Effectively uses columns, font/spacing/size to make the reading experience enjoyable, and includes a
title and the authors name in the appropriate place
Audience (X2.5):1.5
Uses vocabulary appropriate for a college audience, assumes a level of intelligence and sophistication
for the audience, adheres to the rules and conventions of mechanics, spelling, usage and grammar, and
uses a style that fits with the concept of a narrative so the audiences expectations are met
Stance(X2): 3.5
Uses the narrative to offer an argument about literacy, includes a consistent tone that presents the
authors take on the event, and takes risks in that it offers the reader some insight into the author
Summative Grade Conversion
Each 4 point scale for the rhetorical situation will totaled and averaged. The resulting score on the 4 point scale will
then be converted to a percentage using the following scale:

Scale Score

Percentage Score

100

3.5

95

3.0

88

2.5

80

2.0

75

1.5

67

1.0

60

Below 1.0

50