The Singing Scoutmaster: Before The Starting Line

Scouts, in a few minutes we're going to compete. And I want to be honest with you about something before we start: some of you are going to win tonight, and some of you are not. That's just how competitions work. There's no way around it. If there's a first place, there's also a last place, and everybody else lands somewhere in between.

But here's what I want you to hear before a single race is run or a single score is counted: where you finish tonight does not tell me what kind of Scout you are. What tells me that is everything else. Did you put real effort into preparing? Did you do your honest best? Did you help a friend along the way? That's the stuff that matters to me, and it should matter to you too.

If you win tonight, I want to see you shake hands, thank the people who helped you, and remember that someone nearby is disappointed right now - don't make it worse. If you don't win tonight, I want to see you congratulate the winner like you mean it, hold your head up, and know that you gave it your shot. Both of those things take guts. Both of those things earn respect.

Years from now, nobody in this room is going to remember who finished first tonight. But they will remember the Scout who threw a fit when they lost. And they will remember the Scout who bragged and rubbed it in when they won. Don't be either of those Scouts. Be the one people remember for competing hard, playing fair, and treating everyone right no matter how it turned out.

So go out there, give it everything you've got, and let the results take care of themselves. Win or lose, I'm proud of every one of you for showing up and putting it on the line. Now let's have some fun.