Here is a lesson that each of us could stand to listen to for a moment. This story is about a 13-year-old boy and how he realized that just about anything can be accomplished if one sets his mind to it.

An eigth-grade student and self-described TV fanatic in Green Bay, Wis. gave up his obsessive viewing habits for a year on a $500 bet from his parents. “It was the challenge, not the money,” he said. “It helped me to motivate myself and realize that you can do anything you want if you try.”

Now, whether it is true that the money played no part in the motivational factor for this youth is a minor point. The point to keep in mind and that we should try to apply ourselves is that of setting a goal and accomplishing it, no matter what the odds or the opinions of others.

There are many goals that each of us at NIU can try to accomplish by following the example set by this young man. We all have many goals personally, and there are even more in which the entire NIU community can participate.

Goals have been set for bettering the funding status for higher educaton and for the establishment of a separate governing board for NIU. Student leaders are asking for more open lines of communication and understanding between groups on our campus.

Even though such ideas are often viewed as idealistic, a lesson we all should consider is that it never hurts to try.