Staying positive can be very difficult for some students under the stress and pressure of classes and extracurricular activities. It is easy for some students to fall into a black hole of negativity and self-doubt; it takes someone out of the ordinary who can maintain an optimistic attitude. It takes someone like Francis Burk.

Being involved in school activities takes on a new meaning with Burk. He participates in Thespian troupe, in which he is a treasurer, the fall play, the spring musical, Men’s Choir, Chamber singers, National Honors Society, and Student Government, in which he is a senator.

Throughout high school, Burk has participated in numerous activities outside of school including the Sanctuary United Methodist Church Choir, Young Musicians Community Orchestra (YMCO), in which he was a co-concertmaster, show choir, district and region chorus, student films at Temple University and Drexel University, violin lessons, the film “The Silver Linings Playbook,” in which he was an extra, and a book club with a few of his friends. On top of all of these activities, Burk takes several Advanced Placement (AP) classes with intense work loads.

For most students, such a busy schedule would result in stress, which would beat them down causing a negative attitude, but Burk remains incredibly positive. Burk admitted that he is sometimes stressed about things, but he is always able to put up a positive facade.

“Usually everyday there’s something I’m stressed out about, whether it be a test, a rehearsal, a violin lesson, or just some drama that is going on. Also, sometimes I’m so busy that it’s hard to have time for everything. I find that I am stressed about a lot of things, but I find that I can usually make it look like I’m not,” explained Burk.

Burk is able to control his stress and maintain a positive attitude by being as kind as possible to other people. He finds solace in the great feeling of making someone’s day better. His outlook on people is truly amazing, since there tends to be hatred and judgement in today’s society especially, when there are stressors involved.

“I have this attitude that if no one has done anything to me that I consider mean, then I don’t see why I should be mean to them, so I’m just generally nice to everybody, because I have no reason not to,” stated Burk.

Even though Burk thinks of himself as being stressed or worried fairly often, his kindness towards others makes them view him as one of the most positive people they have met. Burk admitted that the fact that people view him this way is surprising to him.

“I don’t know if I would think of myself as the most positive person, because sometimes I’m a little bit down on myself about things, and I feel like I’m not being very positive to myself,” said Burk.

Despite the occasional self doubt, Burk always treats others with kindness and positivity, because he believes that if he didn’t, he would let not only himself, but also others, down. His reputation is something to be proud of, and in the midst of a stressful day, he can look to it to feel better about himself. The more kindness one shows toward others, the better one will feel about oneself.

“Just keep on smiling. Just be nice to everyone. Honestly, people are generally very nice. They are generally very understanding. If you show them that kindness and understanding to begin with, they will quickly reciprocate it to you, and you will feel better about everything and they will have a new friend, and it will be a good day,” explained Burk.