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The Courage to Stand

Album: Gold Audio 13: It All Started When

Episode: 188

Lesson/Theme: Courage.

Bible Verse: 2 Chronicles 32:7-8

Characters: Connie

Writer: Paul McCusker

Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Original Air Date: March 28, 1992

Last Air Date: September 9, 2008

Description:
It all started when Robyn tried out to be a cheerleader. Shannon, the head cheerleader, and Michelle, a member of the squad, are impressed with Robyn, they tell her she's definitely in the running. But, they inform her, there's more to being a cheerleader than simply knowing all the routines and showing up for the games and pep rallies. Robyn also has to "fit in". Her chance to do that is at a party Shannon is throwing Friday night at her house. Robyn is excited about going, until her mom tells her that the party has to be chaperoned, or Robyn can't go. Robyn asks Shannon about it. Shannon makes light of the question at first, then tells Robyn that the party will have adults there. Only, Shannon isn't telling the truth: Robyn discovers that Shannon's parents aren't even in town and won't get back until the following Sunday. Robyn balks, and Shannon confronts her, if Robyn wants to be a cheerleader, then she needs to go to the party. Robyn screws up her courage and says she can't. It wouldn't be right. Shannon instantly snubs her. Robyn is upset. She goes to Whit's End, where Connie comforts her. Connie tells of a similar situation she once faced. She relays that standing up for what's right is far more rewarding than compromising your beliefs. Back at school the following week, one of Shannon's friends, Michelle, tells Robyn that the party got way out of hand. Everyone who attended got into trouble. Michelle says that because Robyn had the courage to stand up to Shannon, Michelle also refused to go to the party. Hearing that, Robyn understands Connie's words, it's best to have the courage to stand up for what you believe.

Questions:
Did Robyn have good reasons for wanting to be a cheerleader? Explain. What did Shannon mean when she told Robyn that she'd have to "fit in" to be a cheerleader? Have you ever been pressured to "fit in" with a certain group? How did you handle it? Is trying to fit in always wrong? Explain.