Thank You

 

Many of us started the school year early.  We did some virtual work over the summer to get a head start on the new year.  When classes officially started, we were all wearing masks and truly happy to be back in person again.  Most of us wondered what the new normal would bring.

While this year has been stressful for many of us, I truly appreciate the effort that you have put into class.  It could be coming in early for reviews, zooming at night, or meeting in the ARC.  Your commitment to master the material has been the best.

I have been impressed by those of you who have improved tremendously during the course of the year.  Despite getting some poor results on assessments, you continued to press on.  This demonstration of grit not only served you well in this class but also will be help you throughout your life.

I also want to thank the people who mastered the material and then explained it to fellow classmates.  The fact that you took the time to help other classmates demonstrates the type of person you are.

Now you are moving on to the next step in your journey, so I want to give you this parting advice. If you are not sure what you want to major in, do not worry about it.  That is what college is all about.  Take different classes and see what interests you.  Do a summer internship but keep exploring until you find what you really want to do.

When you are in college, sit up front, raise your hand, and go to office hours.  The more you engage in the class, the more you will get out of the class.  Remember that colleges offer many resources and that it is your job as a student to use these resources efficiently.  The skill you always want to improve upon is your ability to learn.

When you arrive at college, find a high school or middle school close by.  Donate one hour a week to work with one student.  It might be in a favorite subject of yours, a sport, or an extracurricular activity.  While the teacher might want you to work with many students, try to keep it to one.  You will be truly amazed at how much you can help a student improve in just one hour.

Lastly, as you are closing your high school journey, take the time to write a gratitude note to the teachers who have influenced you (your parents should also get one).  They will truly appreciate it.

 

With gratitude and deep admiration,

What the World Needs Now

A friend recently asked me what I would talk about if I were to give a commencement speech.  That is truly a tough question. A lot of thoughts ran through my mind.  Finally, I settled on a couple of points that I think would help the country become a better place.

My first point would be to listen like you’re wrong.  Too often, we are not listening to the other person’s viewpoint but rather are formulating an argument to prove them wrong.  When I listen like I am wrong, I find that I learn a lot, and it often allows me to change my perspective.

Secondly, make generous assumptions.  Do not believe that other people have bad intentions. They likely want the same outcomes that you do.  When I talk to parents, most want a good education for their children, a safe place for them to interact with their friends, and a happy, fulfilling life for their family.  The differences of opinion are usually about how to get these outcomes.

My last point is that sometimes we talk about making the world a better place.  That seems like a daunting task to many of us.  You can, however, make the world better by just making someone smile or opening a door for another person.  The other day I was eating out when I saw a daughter go help her father up out of the chair.  The older man was using his daughter as a crutch as they walked to the bathroom.  I asked the woman, “Do you want me to go into the bathroom with your dad?”  She was so thankful, since she now did not have to worry about him falling down.

In summary, what the world needs now is love. Take the time each day to reach out to someone.