The Definition of Inspire

By Niki Tubacki, Grade 11, Mancelona, MI

I am getting my dictionary out. Why? Because at school today one of my friends was arguing with me over the pronunciation of the word ‘inundate’ – my current favorite word for reasons unknown. Therefore, I definitely need my dictionary.

You know, dictionary.com is awesome and all…but I love the feeling of an actual dictionary. Yes, I still have one. Actually three. Don’t ask. But nothing beats opening the covers, turning the actual physical pages looking for an ‘IN…’ word, laughing quietly when you realize you’ve gotten all the way to ‘IR…’, and quickly turning back before anyone sees and tells you to go back to kindergarten.

Anyway, I actually managed to get to ‘inundate’ after a short excursion to ‘irony’ (how ironic). In case you’re wondering, inundate means to flood, and is in fact pronounced how my best friend thought it is. Which, of course, she’ll never find out from me.

Hmm. Well, that wasted about five minutes. Guess I’m done with the dictionary. Let’s flip back through the pages, just for fun. ‘INU’, ‘INT’, ‘INS’…wait a minute.
in-spire’ v. 1 stimulate, as to a creative effort 2 arouse (a feeling) 3 inhale

Well. One is definitely true. We’re all examples of that, right? Look at all of the posts on the discussion board, all of the teams we’ve created for projects, how many points we’ve acquired. It’s amazing. It took effort. It’s stimulating.

Two seems true too (is it just me, or is that a really entertaining sentence?). I don’t know about you, but my curiosity is aroused whenever I look at any page in the OLC. As is my wonder, my competitiveness, my desire to learn, my…

Three. Hmm, this requires a little more thought. I guess when you get down to it, I do take a nice breath when I come into INSPIRE. I love looking at the discussion boards or doing a nice quick activity…it’s a nice break from homework, studying, and more homework.

Well. Fifteen minutes later. But somehow…it seems like longer. That one little definition in my (physical) dictionary has produced more actual thinking than any homework could have. I think I finally realize how much INSPIRE is. It’s not just something to put on our college apps…it’s not just a site to learn more about science, technology, engineering, or math…it’s not just a place to meet other students interested in what we’re interested in. It’s all of those. And so, so much more.

This is my third year in INSPIRE. I’ve done activities, I’ve talked to engineers and astronauts and amazing people, and I’ve met lifelong friends. I’ve even designed a new ISS – just in case, of course. And it – all of it – has been incredible.

in-spire’ v. 1 A community of remarkable students, held together by four interests and a million desires, all inspired and inspiring.

Thank you, INSPIRE staff and students, for two amazing years, half of a third, and hopes of an inspiring fourth.


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