1. To be a Champion

2. What is a champion? (class discussion)
What kinds of champions are there?
What does the word champion mean?
What kinds of people might be champions?

3. Who is the champion in this picture?

4. Dictionary definition…
1:  warrior, fighter <a champion of his king>
2:  a militant advocate or defender <a champion of civil rights>
3:  one that does battle for another's rights or honor <God will raise me up a champion — Sir Walter Scott>
4:  a winner of first prize or first place in competition <a tennis champion>; also :  one who shows marked superiority <a championat selling>

5. Characteristics of a champion
Genuine
Caring.. Does this always mean “Nice?”
Sincere
Believes in you
Doesn’t give up
Selfless
“cuts you some slack” (Extensions, extra help, without “enabling” you or doing your work for you

6. Sports/national pride
competition is a form of healthy stress, bringing out the effort, motivation and teamwork needed to reach a goal
Feeling of unity, power as a group0

7. Where would our athletes
be without the fans?
Let’s cheer people on!

8. Your champions are your Role models
God
Parents
Teachers
Friends
Who inspires you?
Which famous People do you look up to?

9. God is our champion
Go back and see the characteristics of a champion… he is all those things, and more!

10. Parents

11. Teachers as champions
Has a great personality, makes you feel connected and energized
Greets you in the hall, develops a personal relationship with you through short conversations
Prepares engaging lessons for you, to help you be interested in what you are learning
Challenges you to do your best
Not always what you are hoping they will say, but sometimes what you need to hear!
Works with you one on one or in small groups when you need it, giving up their time, lunch hours
Reminds you to be on your best behavior
might not feel that way! Helping you to develop skills for your future
Someone who you can trust to tell
when you need help with work/peer relationships
Emotional problems you might be having (counselors are the best choice as they are trained to listen and know how to help, but teachers can help too)

12. Friends can be your role models
Fight against you making poor decisions
Make you not feel alone
Fight for your friendship (not just letting you drift away) , stays connected, sends regular messages and invitations

13. Champion… for yourself
Also called “self-advocacy”

16. YOU can be a champion for others
Sometimes it is just about a random act of kindness that will help improve their mood and make them feel supported. Try one of these…
Write thoughtful, encouraging, celebratory notes to your friends or siblings when . . .
They’re studying for a big test.
They’re working on a project.
They’re trying out for a part in the school play or sports team.
They ace a quiz (or don’t!)
They make the team (or not!)
Just because!

17. Show up with your friend’s favorite treat when they’re . . .
Studying
Bummed about a test grade.
Feeling overwhelmed or hurt by a family situation.
Make sparkly posters, and cheer your friends and siblings on at their sports, music, or drama events
Or for no reason at all!