(Reflection) Mitchell's Great Calabasas Escape
In the voice of Macklin
The narrative is changing, and some people aren't ready for it.
You know, Mitchell wasn't like other kids in Calabasas. I've seen it on the ice too - where some guys just follow the system, Mitchell saw possibilities that others couldn't. While everyone else was chasing approval, he was hunting for truth. Those gated communities? They weren't just physical walls - they were like mental penalty boxes constraining all that potential inside him.
Here's what I learned in hockey that applies to Mitchell's story: empowerment isn't handed to you; you've gotta take it yourself. The authority figures in Calabasas - coaches, teachers, community leaders - they only saw what they wanted to see in Mitchell. Just another prospect they could develop into their idea of success. They missed that real potential comes from within, from having the courage to skate your own path.
"Your drawings don't fit our playbook," they told him. "Your stories don't follow our systems," they kept saying.
Mitchell faced a crucial decision point - like when you decide whether to shoot or pass in the final seconds. He could either buy into their limited vision for his future or create his own plays toward something real. This wasn't just about where to live - this was about taking control of his own development.
Leaving Calabasas wasn't a retreat - it was a strategic advance. Community college gave him what all that privilege couldn't: real diversity of thought and experience. That's where Mitchell discovered that having the courage to be yourself is the ultimate power move against conformity. His art connected with people not because it checked all the boxes, but because it came from an authentic place.
In hockey or in life, success happens through daily decisions, consistent effort, and total commitment. Mitchell's transformation wasn't luck or some outside intervention - it came from his choice to push beyond comfortable boundaries. His paintings started winning awards. Publishers wanted his stories. His vision - once dismissed - now inspired others to find their game.
The best part wasn't even about Mitchell leaving, but what happened after. Some of those Calabasas guys, humbled by seeing Mitchell's success and guided by faith, recognized their mistake. Real strength isn't about controlling the play - it's about acknowledging when you need to adapt your strategy.
"Calabasas wasn't ready for your style of play," one admitted, "but more importantly, you were meant for a bigger arena than Calabasas."
Mitchell's journey continues - two years into this new chapter, seeing the world through different eyes. What some might call disorder, Mitchell understands as his unique perspective - a different way of reading the game that gives him insights others might never have.
To everyone following Mitchell's story: the next period doesn't belong to Calabasas, or even to Mitchell alone - it belongs to anyone brave enough to break out of the systems holding them back.
The question isn't who's ready for the next chapter - it's who has the guts to write it themselves.
Essay Questions: Finding Your Voice & Standing Out
Think of a time when you had an idea that was different from everyone else's. How did it feel to share that idea, and what did you learn from that experience?
If you could change one rule at your school that you think is unfair, what would it be and how would you convince adults to listen to your suggestion?
Imagine you notice someone in your class being treated unkindly. What might make it difficult to speak up, and what could help you find the courage to say something?
Who is someone you admire because they weren't afraid to be different or stand up for what they believe in? What qualities do they have that you would like to develop?
Sometimes standing out can feel uncomfortable. Describe a situation where being different might be challenging but also important. What could you do to stay true to yourself even when it's difficult?