On Thurs., Oct. 12, Lisbon High School held its first Academic Aspirations assembly. Students piled into the gymnasium with a hum of words in the air, but all were silent when the assembly began.

Senator Susan Collins gave an inspiring speech that not only told how she accomplished what she has, but also stressed the importance of setting goals and taking risks to achieve them. She explained her choice to run for Senate in 1996 with this; “I knew I didn’t want to end my life sitting in a rocking chair by the fire wondering, ‘What if?'”.

Senator Collins spoke to the students about the decisions that they make everyday, and how they connect with their future. “These are not a few monumental decisions, but the small decisions you make every day that add up.” shared the Senator. She brought to the attention of the students what they may not have thought about. “You may not realize it, but you already are role models for others.”

Throughout her speech Senator Collins talked about how the younger students looked to them as leader; how the decisions they make also influence their young admirers. The students in the gym still held their attention on the Senator as she left them with these words; “Whenever I speak to students, I always find myself looking out into the audience and wondering if there isn’t a future successful author, entrepreneur or United States Senator out there in the bleachers looking back at me. I know there can be. If you seek out the best role models, set high aspirations for yourself, and pursue your dreams with everything you’ve got, I know there will be.”