NSA ESOs - My NSA Story
By Lydia N.
This is my third year on the Navigator. As such, I have already written two articles about my experience at NorthStar and on the Navigator. For my 9th grade year, my first year on the Nav, I wrote about how NorthStar gives me the flexibility I need in my life, while still providing a rigid-enough structure to compensate for my busy brain. In my second story article, I wrote about how NorthStar has given me the community that I had always wanted. Since I’ve already talked about NSA’s social, spiritual, and academic aspects, I want to make sure that this article covers something different.
In this article, I want to talk about how NSA has equipped me for my life. Next year I’ll be a senior, which is exhilarating and also completely terrifying. However, I truly feel that NorthStar has equipped me with all the tools I need to be successful. NSA has ESOs, or Expected Student Outcomes, that they try to live by and insert into the classroom and the community. Today, I’m going to be talking about how NorthStar has helped me grow in each of these ESOs.
#1 - University and Life Ready
I often get the question, “How will you be prepared to live in society if you go to an online school, where you aren’t socializing?” I respond to this question the same way every time. I smile wide and say, “NorthStar has done a better job preparing me for life than almost anything else I’ve ever experienced or been a part of.” NorthStar allows students to make their own decisions, pace themselves, choose their own path, and make mistakes. All of this, in addition to the incredible academics, means that NorthStar does a great job of preparing students for life and college.
#2 - Christ-Like Character
NorthStar has strict integrity policies, which encourage students to do the right thing and follow God’s commands. The best part is that NSA gives students the chance to manage themselves inside and outside the classroom. This may leave room for people to make bad decisions, but it also gives them the chance to make good decisions on their own that honor Christ. This is an important part of being an adult later in life as well.
#3 - Globally Minded
To be completely honest, I was terrible at meeting Expected Student Outcome #3 before I came to NorthStar. I had barely any concept of what living in other countries was like. I simply assumed that everyone in other countries fit certain stereotypes, and everyone outside of America seemed so out of reach. Now, I’m incredibly blessed to have such a diverse and encouraging group of friends from all over the U.S. and the globe.
#4 - Christ Follower
NorthStar created an environment centered around Christ. (I talk about this in my second NSA Story article.) Being a part of this community means I am constantly encouraged, surrounded by like-minded people, and supported by others. I can see Christ leading NorthStar, and that has made me want to follow Him more.
#5 - Servant Leader
This ESO means a lot to me, as I didn’t have a great idea of what a leader was prior to my arrival at NSA. Being on Student Council and the Navigator has taught me what serving others looks like. It looks like humility, spending time with others, listening, and loving people.
#6 - Biblically Literate
NorthStar’s religion courses have helped me to solidify my faith. Even simple classes like Math and Science emphasize the Creator. Each course is ingrained with biblical teaching. The NSA community and its Christ-centered courses have most certainly strengthened my faith.
#7 - Lifelong Learner
This ESO is one of the ones that is closest to my heart, and I talk about it near the beginning of my first NSA Story article. I’ve always loved to learn, and it feels so good to have a school understand the importance of enjoying the learning process. Their courses make me want to learn more and understand the world around me that God created.
While this is a more unconventional NSA Story, I wanted to show how NorthStar has impacted my life and equipped me for transitioning into a new chapter of my life soon. As I become a senior next year, I want to thank NSA for giving me so many tools to become a better person, a better leader, and a better Christian.
Columns: 🗞️Staff Stories
Lydia N. lives in Kansas City with her mom, stepdad, and dog, Pippin. This is her third year at NSA, her second on Student Council, and her second as the Editor-in-Chief for the NorthStar Navigator. She hopes to pursue a career in digital marketing and graphic design in the future, as well as pursue her acting and singing dreams.