I'll never forget my amazement when my favorite jazz vocalist, also my teacher, revealed that even as a veteran musician, she still gets nervous on the stage. "Nervous energy encourages me to take chances" she said, emphasizing that taking chances is key to the musical improvisation for which she is known to this day. I enjoy finding opportunities to quote or otherwise thank a teacher who has had such profound impact on my life and my work, like my music teacher, and I look for opportunities to apply these valuable insights to new situations and in new ways. The Marysville School District was a client who requested--demanded--these particular words of wisdom: be brave, take chances. It was a great fit. ["A Brave New Campus--Marysville Getchell High School Campus 2011 MacConnell Award Winner" was written with support from Craig Mason.]