It’s been a few years since the Panther Pit burst back onto the scene to everyone’s delight. The food and friendly faces every afternoon by Chester Gym have served as a refuge from the stresses of daily life at Potomac. To celebrate its continued success, we interviewed several people about how the Panther Pit has changed their lives.
Note: These transcriptions have been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.
The first interview was with famous actor and Potomac student Grady Robbins:
Josh Reinecke: What was one time the Panther Pit changed your life?
Grady Robbins: Well, I had just finished a fight with the rabid weasel that lives in the wrestling room, and let’s just say, it didn’t go too well. That wicked weasel bit my nose clean off! So there I was, walking dejectedly out of the wrestling room, nose in hand, when one of the parents running the Panther Pit noticed me. He called me over and said, “What’s wrong, buddy? And what happened to that great snout of yours?” After I explained the whole ordeal with the weasel, he handed me a piece of duct tape and gave me the best advice I’ve ever received: “Pick your head up, tape your nose back on, and head in there again. That weasel may have defeated you in battle, but it didn’t take your spirit!” So that’s exactly what I did, and I eventually strode victoriously back into the Panther Pit.
JR: Has that interaction with the parent had a lasting impact on your life?
GR: Other than finally getting rid of the rascal who had plagued the wrestling room for years, I find myself coming back to that advice whenever I face challenges. The idea of not giving up is something I’d never considered. It truly can solve all kinds of problems!
JR: Thanks for speaking with me today!
The second interview was with Margaret Cooper, someone’s distant aunt who volunteers at the Panther Pit on Thursday afternoons:
JR: Has volunteering at the Panther Pit taught you any lessons?
Margaret Cooper: It’s as simple as this, Josh: I found God in a bag of Peanut M&M’s.
JR: Can you explain that a little? What was so profound about the Peanut M&M’s?
MC: Something about the glossy yellow bag made me pause and think for a moment, and that’s when the indomitable spirit of the divine hit me and hit me hard. When I came to, I knew that God was a zany, magic person who only appears once a century. Ever since then, I’ve been preparing for God’s inevitable return by selling as many Peanut M&M’s at the Panther Pit as I can.
JR: Wow! That’s an incredible story! Thanks for the interview.
The final interview was with a student who asked to remain anonymous:
JR: Can you describe your first time visiting the Panther Pit?
Anonymous: I had never seen anything like it, Josh. The menus lining the walls were filled with delicious snacks, some of which I’d never even dreamed of. I bought two bags of chocolate-covered thumbtacks, a handful of candy canes, and a complimentary bag of Peanut M&M’s. It only took me a few minutes to devour all that I’d bought, so I went back for more. The second batch was gone as quickly as the first, and I repeated the process again and again until it was dark outside and the Panther Pit was locked up for the night. I found out that sleeping in the Panther Pit is beyond restful, as I woke up fully refreshed for the day ahead and excited for the future now that I knew about the Panther Pit.
JR: So would you say that the Panther Pit has heightened your Potomac experience?
Anonymous: The Panther Pit didn’t just heighten it; it completely revolutionized how I approach my academic career. Now, instead of having to contend with the loud, hectic environment of my home to get my homework done, I can just stay in the peace and quiet of the Panther Pit. My grades have improved so much!
JR: Thank you!
As you can see, the reopening of the Panther Pit has touched lives in a variety of ways for people throughout the school community. Simply showing up and having a good time at the Panther Pit can reveal to you a valuable and moving cross-section of Potomac!
