Well this will be my last blog of the year and as I usually do, I like to say goodbye to our graduating seniors. I don't really know how we summarize all that this class has been through. It started last year when they were sent home on March 13 to finish off their junior year at home. We came back with masks on and adjusted schedules and a whole new routine. The students were separated into four different lunches and only two people to a table. Each student got very good at wiping down their desk and computers after every class and using hand sanitizer throughout the day. This is a lot to deal with besides all the regular things a high school senior has to deal with. However, I will tell you that this class is so special to me and will be remembered for a long time. When we started back in August, I wouldn't have thought we would have made it through Christmas without having to shut down. I also thought we would have to deal with the students not wearing the masks or not wearing them properly. I can only say that this class acted so mature and so grown up through everything they had to deal with. Very rarely did we have to correct them about wearing their mask properly or having to tell them to sanitize their hands before lunch. They were so cooperative and abided by our rules that we are now finishing out the complete year without shutting down due to Covid. Truly from the bottom of my heart, I wish I could personally thank each and every one of you for what you had to go through and how you handled it. 100% class act!
Well as I also do every year, I like to include one of my favorite songs as a way to wish you all the best. This song goes way back, probably when most of you were about three years old. It was sung by Rascall Flatts. If you get a chance, listen to it on YouTube or Apple Music. It starts out:
"I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow, and each road leads you where you wanna go, and if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose, I hope you choose the one that means the most to you. And if one door opens to another door closed, I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window, if it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile. But more than anything, more than anything... My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to, Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small, You never need to carry more than you can haul, and while you're out there getting where you're getting to, I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too, Yeah, this is my wish".
As the words say, I really do hope you enjoy life, take it one day at a time and don't get upset by some of the little things you will face. I hope you never give up when you run into trouble. You have proven this year that you can face troubles and survive. Please don't give up on your dreams, use them as motivation. I also want you to know that wherever you end up or whatever you end up doing, I do care for you and I do want the same thing for you. My door is always open after you leave. Feel free to call or email me anytime. I welcome it.
"I hope you never look back, but you never forget, All the ones who love you, in the place you live, I hope you always forgive, and you never regret, And you help somebody every chance you get. Oh you find God's grace in every mistake, and always give more than you take".
Some pretty simple rules that will help you as you head out into the "real world". Don't hold on to grudges or hold on to your anger just because someone may have made you upset. You will find that when you forgive, you will be released and set free from an invisible prison. You will be a better person because of it. Please continue to give back to the community in which you live. You will not believe how good it feels when you reach out and help someone.
I know that some of you reading this may have been in my office because you were upset about a mistake you made or something you regretted doing. Remember that I have always told you that you learn from your mistakes. We all make them but it is the mature person who learns from it and grows as a person. Hold on to this bit of advice and don't forget it. I guarantee you will need it again some time in the future. We all make mistakes. Finally as the lyrics above started out with, I hope you never forget. Come back and visit us or send us a quick e-mail to let us know how you are doing.
So there it is, my wish for all of you seniors who are leaving us in a few short days. I thank you for trusting me with your friendship, your troubles and your last two years of high school. Good luck in all you do. You are an awesome class and a tough, resilient class. I hope to run into you somewhere down the road and we can hug, shake hands or just chat. Thanks again for making this a great year. To everyone else, thanks as always for reading the blog, the kind comments and the inspiration. Have a great summer!
