The Courage to Stand

Robyn Jacobs has made the cheerleading squad, and suddenly the popular crowd wants her around - lunches with the in-group, trips to the mall, and an invitation to head cheerleader Shannon's big Friday night party. But then the truth comes out: Shannon's parents are away, there will be no chaperones, and Robyn is expected to keep her mother in the dark. Robyn refuses to lie... and just like that, Shannon scratches her from the squad and turns the whole group against her. Over cocoa at Whit's End, Connie shares how she once lost friends the same way, and why doing what's right matters more than fitting in. Then comes news from school: the party ended with police cars, arrests, and a heap of grounded kids - but not Michelle, who saw Robyn stand her ground and found the courage to stay home too. Now Robyn has a true friend, and maybe a new face at church on Sunday.

Found on It All Started When... Album 13 · 13 episodes

The run See every episode

0182 The Scales of Justice When two thousand dollars in found cash sparks a courtroom showdown at Whit's End, Isaac must prove the money is rightfully his against the scheming Rathbones.

0183 Tales of Moderation When Connie asks why a wealthy man like Whit lives so simply, he hands her a book of three tales that make the case for moderation better than he ever could.

0184 Isaac the Chivalrous When a legendary knight steps out of the Imagination Station and into modern-day Odyssey, young Isaac gets a firsthand - and unexpectedly challenging - lesson in what chivalry really means.

0185 A Question of Loyalty When shy newcomer Emily's hidden writing talent blossoms under Lucy's mentorship, a countywide newspaper contest puts their new friendship to the test.

0186 The Conscientious Cross-Guard A by-the-book middle school crossing guard must decide whether to abandon his post or face down the school's meanest gang alone.

0187 An Act of Nobility A young American traveler in a small foreign kingdom discovers he bears an uncanny resemblance to its prince - on the eve of a coronation someone is plotting to prevent.

0188 The Courage to Stand A girl's shot at joining the popular cheerleading crowd hinges on one party - and one condition her mother won't bend on.

0189 No, Honestly! The town's least trustworthy kid becomes convinced a charming newcomer is up to no good - but who's going to believe Rodney Rathbone?

1 of 2 0190 Moses: The Passover On his son's birthday, a workaholic father chases the boy into an Imagination Station adventure and finds himself trapped in ancient Egypt on the eve of the tenth plague.

2 of 2 0191 Moses: The Passover Trapped in different corners of ancient Egypt on the night of the first Passover, a father and son each discover that finding their way back to one another will take more than their own strength.

0192 Modesty is the Best Policy When her father vetoes her trendy new dress, a teenage girl discovers that turning heads at school is easier - and more complicated - than she expected.

0193 A Tongue of Fire When aspiring kid broadcaster Jimmy Barclay takes career advice from Odyssey's most notorious shock jock, his quest for laughs puts his friendships - and his show - on the line.

0194 A License to Drive When Connie is challenged to prove she has what it takes to be a teacher, her first pupil is the last person she'd choose: Eugene, who needs to learn how to drive.

Featured characters

Minor characters & crew 2 more roles

2 supporting roles

Shannon Everett (Ellis) Stacy Alcorn Michelle Kelly Luttrell

Made by

Chris Anthony Host Paul McCusker Writer · Producer Phil Lollar Director Bob Luttrell Sound Designer · Producer Chuck Bolte Executive Producer

The story

Read the full synopsis 2 min

Over a mug of Whit's special cocoa at Whit's End, Robyn Jacobs pours out a troubled story to Connie Kendall about the week that just ended. It began when Robyn tried out for cheerleading, hoping to join the cool crowd at school. Right after the tryouts, Shannon, the head cheerleader, and her friend Michelle sat down with Robyn in the cafeteria. Shannon praised her routine but hinted that being a cheerleader means fitting in and being "one of us" - and she invited Robyn to her party on Friday night.

Robyn's mother, Ann, agreed to let her go on one condition: the party had to be chaperoned. When Robyn nervously asked about it, Shannon scoffed at the idea of "babysitters" but assured her there would be chaperones. For a few days everything seemed perfect. Robyn sat with the popular girls at lunch and went to the mall with them, though they thought it was odd that she went to church midweek, and Michelle quietly warned her that Shannon likes to have things her own way.

Then, on Friday, the truth came out. Shannon's parents were out of town, her college-age brother was bringing his friends and planning to open the liquor cabinet, and there would be no chaperones at all. Shannon admitted she had "stretched the truth" and pressured Robyn to simply keep her mother in the dark. Robyn refused - going would be wrong, and hiding it would be like lying. Shannon coldly cut her off, scratched Robyn's name from the cheerleading list, and turned the whole group against her.

Connie assures Robyn that standing firm took real courage, and she shares her own story: she once caved in to her drama club and played crude characters she knew were wrong before finally finding the courage to quit, losing those friends too. Connie explains that the things that feel so important right now are only a small part of a much bigger picture, and that doing what God wants is what matters for eternity. Robyn understands, even if it doesn't make her feel better yet.

Later, at school, Michelle surprises Robyn at her locker. The party turned out just as wild as promised - the neighbors called the police, some of the college guests were arrested, and everyone who went is now in trouble with their parents, especially Shannon. But Michelle wasn't there. After watching Robyn stand up to Shannon, she found the courage to do the same, and she apologizes for ignoring Robyn. Who needs that kind of popularity anyway? As the two head to class, Robyn invites her new friend to come to church sometime, and Michelle says she just might.