What is Success?

The word success has different meanings depending on who you ask. The definition in the English dictionary is: “the fact that you have achieved something that you want and have been trying to do or get.” Some authors and speakers define success more in terms of the professional field – starting a company, receiving a promotion, or an award. Others may say success is abstract and not limited to one specific area. They say you may be successful in your family, friends, career, and life in general.

Life Vision

Cumorah Academy’s purpose is to create a healthy environment where our students may reflect on deep questions themselves. Indeed, one of the very first assignments is Life Vision. Students are to reflect on their own definition of success and the steps they will take to accomplish it. This task is not only for grading on campus – it is a blueprint for their lives once they graduate.

As the semester progresses, they can adjust their original idea and add new insights as they learn more about themselves. Surely, another important influence on our students is our mentors and their teachings. They bring to campus their experiences, charisma, leadership, stories, and love to inspire our students to become the best version of themselves.

Good Habits for Success

Philippe and Ghislaine Simonet, our mentors for this week, came from France full of expectations to teach our students about Habits of Success. And this couple knows what they’re teaching!

Philippe has a Master’s degree in Instructional Design and has been working in Seminaries and institutes for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for nearly 30 years. Ghislaine has a Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics from BYU-Provo and decided to be a stay-at-home mother.

Philippe and Ghislaine have raised a happy and beautiful family with their three children. They are aware of the challenges of the world and are aware of the habits needed to become successful in whatever area they are committed to.

“O ye that embark on the service of the Lord”

The couple decided to embark on our program after one of their institute students, Rebecca Fewou, mentioned Cumorah Academy. Later, they attended YSA Conferences in Hungary and the Czech Republic. There, they met Lubash, who at the time was working as a photographer for Cumorah Academy.

What inspired them to come?

“The accounts and testimonies of former students – a lot of them have shared that ‘It is too good to be true.’ We came and saw that it is very good and true,” says the couple. They decided to join this adventure in the service of the Lord and serve the rising generation of leaders.

Helping Students on their Journey to Success

“I have a lot of respect for new mentors. They became very close to me from our first meeting. They are close to God and I can feel it. At the same time, they respect me when I say that I am a Catholic, not a member of the church. They are always interesting to talk to. They give insightful answers and ask the right questions.” Olga, our student from Ukraine, felt respected and loved by Philippe and Ghislaine.

Other students also shared how this special couple from France made them feel during their stay on campus:

“It was my pleasure to meet and attend Ghislaine and Philippe’s class this week. They are shining examples of kindness and active listening. Even though they have only spent a few days here, they are so friendly that it seems like they have been with us the whole semester. They have the kind of personalities that make you feel like you’ve known them for ages, and you can trust them completely. Ghislaine’s amazing work as a volunteer is a great example of working for a higher purpose than just money. Philippe’s decades of experience with young people make it easy to converse with him.

What I admire about our French mentors is that they were so generous that they shared the tough experiences of their lives with us. I am truly grateful for that; it helps me learn deeper from their experiences and classes.”
– Heela, from Czech

“They are so lovely with people; we can see the charisma, enthusiasm, and love that they feel about us.” 
– Sarah, from Peru

These are just some of the quotes our students shared about this special couple. They highlighted their qualities, service, time, and stories. Philippe and Ghislaine are the quintessence of what Cumorah Academy stands for.

After All, What is Success?

Philippe and Ghislaine came to campus and taught us about Good Habits for Success, meaning that our habits either take us closer or not to our success.

Even though putting into words what may be difficult for some, if we look at the picture below we can tell what success looks like.

Watch Philippe and Ghislaine’s testimonial:

Written by Fernando L. Ferreira Junior. Supports by Delton Sambo.

Supervision: Kamila Uberto Fullmer.

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