No Good Deed Goes Unnoticed

No Good Deed Goes Unnoticed
by David Lusher

This past fall semester, I have been privileged to have been able to share classrooms with the amazing individuals in each of my courses. Though I have made the acquaintance of many, the stories I want to tell today are about two specific individuals, one a student and one a teacher, who have stood out to me from the rest.

Most people who have stories told of them have done a great deed of courage or have accomplished a task which seemed to be impossible: in this story that is not the case. A few weeks back I had been absent from my Sociology class. Your grade in this class is very heavily based on the notes you take. The next class, which I was in attendance, I proceeded to copy a fellow student’s notes. A few minutes into the class, another classmate entered and noticed me copying the notes. Immediately she said “Wait! Stop copying those!” My first reaction was one of confusion – why should I stop? I needed these. Still I said nothing and did as she had ordered. After she took her seat and unloaded her class materials, she proceeded to slip a few papers out of her binder. Contained in this slender stack of papers, were all the notes from that previous class I had missed – but that is not all. The worksheets completed in the class were there as well and with the correct answers marked so I would have all the material needed to review for our next test. If that was not enough already, she had run out of paper while making me the copies and a had to make a run to the store to replenish her supply – all for a random guy in one of her classes. We had no personal relationship previous to that instance and still do not know each other on a personal level. I did not ask for her to make the copies for me. She simply saw a need and filled it. This student is Sarah Williams.

This was not the only case in which she has done similar acts. I do not know the current status of her grades, her financial situation, or much of anything about her really, but here is what I do know: Sarah has qualities extending far beyond those of being a good student and she has a wealth which many who dwell in mansions will never possess.

I was also very blessed to hear stories of those who did acts of good deeds for a small extra credit assignment in another of my classes. I very much admire and respect this teacher for choosing such an assignment to encourage the students to participate in actions which bless others. Yes the students had a little extra motivation behind their actions, but stepped in to help others none the less. The teacher, on the other hand, not only gave to her students, but through them she was responsible for changing a lady’s tire, donating clothes and furniture to those less fortunate, and a list of other deeds. She did not gain a single thing for this other than the joy on her face, and in her heart, when the students stood in front of the class to tell of their deeds. This teacher, I am very proud to mention, is Amanda Bass.

Sarah and Amanda have made me stop and think about what more I can do to contribute to the ever present void of those willing to go out of their way to help others. My hope is that, at this time of the year especially, their stories will inspire you to join the cause of filling the needs of others. And to those of you who have already rose to the challenge, keep it up! There is always a need to be met, it’s just a matter of having the eyes to see it.

Hope all had a wonderful break, a very Merry Christmas, and a happy New Years! Don’t forget to stay classy NPCC!