Dignan Academy

Most students want their friends to think they are cool. They want to be accepted. This can be a good thing, leading to positive relationships. But issues arise when students want to be cool at all costs.

Negative behavior, stress, and depression often come from a notion of cool that is based upon what others think or expect.

If students learn to define cool for themselves and if they develop internal strength through convictions, good choices, and competencies, they will set the tone for cool.

It's been said that a leader does not walk into a room trying to figure out what people are doing. Instead, leaders walk in and take charge. In the same way cool people do not walk into a room trying to figure out what others are doing to be cool. They set the standard for cool.

This is a highly interactive course with lots of questions for students to answer. And lots of stories of successful leaders (e.g. Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt) who set standards for cool and success.

The aim of the course is to completely change how students think about cool, and to motivate them to adopt essential convictions, make wise choices, and develop life skills.

(Recommended age: middle and high school students)