Experiencing Tragedies Brings About Greater Inner Strength, Perseverance

I think B.C. Forbes said it best when he stated, “To succeed, we must have the will to succeed, we must have stamina, determination, backbone, perseverance, self-reliance and faith.”

The graduating seniors in Shadle’s Class of 1997 have definitely had their faith, stamina and perseverance tested throughout the past four years. Along with the typical high school activities such as Homecoming, football game pep rallies, school plays and sweetheart dances, Shadle’s seniors have attended many somber events such as a funeral and many memorial services.

Losing six members of the Class of 1997 and, most recently, a beloved Shadle counselor and coach, to tragic and untimely deaths obviously left our class with confused feelings of anger, loss and sadness. Yet we also found a renewed sense of inner strength and cohesiveness.

These past four years offered amazing opportunities to grow, learn and achieve. During our years at Shadle, the senior class has achieved local, statewide and even national recognition in a variety of areas. With award-winning photographers, orators, debaters, athletes, essayists, musicians, thespians, community volunteers and scholars within our ranks, our class most definitely exhibits signs of bright, varied and successful futures.

As graduation day grows nearer and we begin to reflect upon our years at Shadle, I know that the Class of 1997 will not only remember the lessons learned in the classroom, but also the life lessons we have acquired while living and growing together. In 10 year’s time, we might forget the main points in Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, or the specifics of the Pythagorean Theorem, but we will remember the difficult lessons dealing with the fragile nature of life and the inner strength needed to survive in this world.

Above all, we’ve learned that unrelenting perseverance will guarantee success.