Riverside: Well done, graduates, and be thankful
“So, what did you do in school today?” “Nothing.”
Sounds familiar? Yes, I can play all day and think nothing of the smart things that I learned that day. Recently, I mused over an instance that happened during recess about seven years ago. I overheard an unsavory comment that I am not as smart as my siblings. My happy-go-lucky persona was being deliberated. I am the fourth of five children. Two were valedictorians and another magna cum laude. Did I push myself after that comment? Maybe. Maybe not. But little would this judgmental person know that I rank second in my class of 2007. I had bloomed, or should I say am a work-in-progress.
Graduation seems to be the time when we put in perspective and take stock of years past. At the same time that I was “branded” not smart enough, the news that there was turmoil in my school district administration and not doing too well was going on, too. I was, of course, oblivious to important events and trivia, such as a $1.5 million budget deficit, until later when I realized that “Wow, we have new editions of textbooks,” upgraded curriculum to keep pace with standards and advancement, exemplary technology and career programs, college courses on campus, even a Fire Science Academy at the fire station on campus that is also attended by Mead and Deer Park students, to name a few.
Leadership flows from the top and the duo of a team, Mr. Galen Hansen and Mrs. Janet Kemp, deserve more than a pat on the back. Alongside the school board, dedicated teachers and staff (despite budget cuts) and supportive parents and community, they are all think tanks. In a short time, our school district is “in the black.” We are doing fine, if not better.
We have educators, who teach intimidating subjects, like AP History, college English, math in a way that makes it accessible. Those (almost-daily) essay tasks assigned by well-meaning teachers, while I still consider them as unpleasant tasks, became manageable in time. The same goes for my father, who would remind me to stay in focus, and my mother – oh, does she love the Power School Internet access and keep my procrastination in check.
It has been said that 20 years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. For every 4.0 gained, I surged and so the burning question if I should take AP and college classes dreaded me at a time when as junior class president, I would be immersed in a lot of happily distracting activities. Is the competition to be at the top of the graduating class more important? Losing point zero something of a percent was not all that bad; the journey was worth taking.
High school has been something different for every one of us. Some are driven and involved in sports, academics, music, clubs, or merely struggling to survive. If I could have my way, I would include all the names of my classmates who have done so well as to achieve all sorts of recognition in their endeavors. Their passion is amazing and so is the camaraderie.
I am not experienced enough to give advice, but it is fitting to borrow some of my parents’ words. To my co-graduates – several reminders:
“Remember to thank especially those teachers who compel us to go on even when every fiber in our bodies yearns to quit. They gave us tools for greater thought.
“Someone once said that education is the only thing that you can take all you want and there’s plenty left for everyone else. So make sure you take your share.
“It’s OK if you haven’t completely decided on your career choice. Be open to changes.
“Don’t forget your inner child. Play. Laugh. Avoid humorless, negative people.
“”There’s no switch inside you that magically flips when you turn a certain age or graduate from some institution. You start being an adult when you decide to take responsibility for your life.” (Paul Graham) Duty and dignity go hand in hand.
“How can I forget this – it has a permanent place on our refrigerator: “Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the wrong. Sometime in life you will have been all of these.”
“Thank your parents. They helped you soar, with feet firmly on the ground.
And finally, with your newly experienced freedom from parental control, your life is about to get faster. Learn to use the breaks.
As I say adieu to high school, I can assert that I did not just do “nothing’” but I “learned to learn.” And on behalf of the community, I give our thanks and best regards to Mr. Hansen, who would be retiring next month, and to Dr. Roberta Kramer, our new superintendent – Welcome to progress at work!