Dr. Woodall, beloved principal of Rocky, announced his retirement at the end of the year. He has worked with the Poudre School District since 1998 as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, and principal. Woodall has made a big impact being the leader of the Rocky community, with many memorable moments like crashing the dance off to do the worm at this year’s back to school assembly with his kids Nate (12th) and Avery Woodall (9th).
When asked about what he admires most about his dad, Nate said, “I admire his leadership skills and how he consciously makes an effort to be a leader by example.” Nate said the best part about having his dad as his principal is that “it is a blast to be able to see him at school and do goofy things. It is also super nice to have someone at home who relates with my situations very heavily.” Nate also explained that “family is incredibly important; we often have group FaceTimes, family dinner, and try to have connection whenever possible. We work to support each other in everything.”
Dr. Woodall has given many speeches during his time at Rocky, and yet none as important as the one he gave on Wednesday, September 11, to the student body. Students filed into the auditorium, starting with freshmen period 1, seniors period 2, juniors period 3, and sophomores period 4. The school was wearing the signature “Together As One” shirts to show support and love for him as he gave his speech to commemorate the attacks of 9/11/2001, where he lost his older brother, Brent Woodall.
Not only was his speech informative of what went down on that day, but he gave the student body insight on the turmoils of life and how to get through them using his and his family’s story. He began his speech by challenging students to think about difficult things they have gone through in their lives. He said, “We all have a story…Whatever it is, we all have challenges. And if you don’t, then you will soon enough, so be thinking about these things…’how do I persevere through those things when it just feels like it’s too much?'”
He went on to talk about Brent’s life and their relationship growing up; how it was rocky at first, like many sibling stories, but “as adults [they] started to grow out of that…[their] relationships were the strongest they’ve ever been as adults.” He highlighted how intense and strong his brother was and hinted at the importance of the number “31” in his and Brent’s lives.
He then went into the logistics and details of the attack, taking the listeners not just through the timeline of events, but also highlighting where he was and where Brent was during that hour and 40 minutes of hell. He explained that at first he wasn’t fearful, and in fact, he was certain that his brother had made it out. He told about his emotions and grief and tricks his brain was playing on him when he realized his brother was most likely gone.
Going to the memorials in New York is an emotional time, but Woodall said he was grateful to have taken all of his kids throughout the years to honor his brother and the other 2,976 lives lost that day.
Prefacing it by saying he didn’t understand it, he talked about how he sees the number 31 everywhere now, sharing heartwarming stories of it popping up in his and his family’s lives. The number was his brother’s football number and continues to remind him of Brent.
He said when he sees the number, “I joke now with different people, ‘Oh, Uncle Brent’s just saying ‘hello’, he’s just saying ‘hi.'”
Nate seconds the oddity of 31, saying “[31] literally pops up everywhere–food orders, ski lifts, timers. The oddest stuff.” Nate was sitting in the senior meeting when Ms. Flowers was going through the due dates of applications. She clicked to the next slide, and the number 31 was in big, bold lettering. She explained that the common app was due October 31, and Nate knew his uncle was just saying hello!
Dr. Woodall ended the speech with messages, quotes, and ideas, relating to perseverance, character, and hope. Talking about not letting tough situations become your identity, he explained, “I identify with that day, there is no question. I lost my brother on 9/11. But I’m not identified by it; that is not my identity. I choose that. I choose who I am, and what I can do, not my circumstances.”
He implored students not to try and “get over” challenges, but to “get through” them, adding, “I’m more of a ‘get through it’ person. I don’t want to get over losing my brother. I don’t want to forget it. And I won’t. But I will get through it, and I will be stronger because of it.”
If there was one big takeaway from Dr Woodall’s speech, it should be this: you are not defined by your adversities, your struggles, your difficulties. You are bigger than that. You are defined by how you overcome your obstacles, and how you help others overcome theirs.
