Tonight, our school, the Mesa Academy for Advanced Studies, will recognize award winners.

Students grades 4 – 8 will receive a plaque or a certificate or a trophy for Perfect Attendance, Honor Roll (GPA) and outstanding work in extracurricular activities.

It’s a night to publicly celebrate hard work and dedication.

Students who earn these awards do so because they push themselves consistently. They work hard every day and they reach their self-made goals because they want to do their best all the time. Some may do it for their parents or for the recognition. Others do it because seeing anything but an “A” on their report card means “all is well” or “I’m OK.”

Recognizing your hard work and appreciating excellent work is important.

However, ribbons, plaques and trophies are extrinsic motivators. Intrinsic rewards are the most powerful and enduring of all motivators. Do it because you love it. Some of our most famous and beloved actors* worked for decades before winning the other Academy Award:

Humphrey Bogart

Paul Newman

John Wayne

Judi Dench 

Martin Scorsese

Morgan Freeman

Henry Fonda

Jessica Tandy

Before, during and after receiving their awards, they worked dutifully to perfect their craft.