Pomp and Circumstance

Graduation season is now upon us.  For those of us in the education field, it's easy to forget how special graduation really is for the individuals walking across that stage and their families because we see it year in and year out.  Even though I still think of myself as a newcomer to the teaching game, I can already sense that there isn't much of a difference from one graduating class to the next--they have similar distributions of personalities, problems, and aspirations.  It's funny how both everything and nothing changes.  However, I am also aware of what an exciting and emotional time this is for the kids--full of a sense of nostalgia, aaccomplishment, and hope.  Indeed, I can still vividly remember each of my graduations, and I don't think I'll ever forget them for as long as I live.  I'll try to keep these thoughts in mind as I sit through hundreds of names being called ... while the audience rudely chatters the whole time ... only stopping to scream hysterically for their own friends and children ... okay, I'm getting off track.     

The faculty advisor for my school's student newspaper asked me yesterday if I could write up a short message (no more than 350 words) for seniors to be published in the final edition of the year.  I was honored that he would trust me with such a weighty task, even though I'm still not sure that I'm old or wise enough to offer up anything extremely profound.  In the end, I decided to forego being "deep" and just speak the truth to these 18 year olds.  Below is what I submitted:

"Congratulations, Class of 2011!  You have finally reached the end of your journey through mandatory education, where other people (adults) have told you what to learn, when to learn it, and, usually, how to learn it.  You have met all of these requirements, and all of us salute you.

Now, here’s where it gets fun.  Instead of listening to adults, you now get to be an adult.  Being an adult means taking personal responsibility for your decisions and their consequences.  You are no longer allowed to blame anyone or anything for things that don’t go your way.  Conversely, you get to take the credit when things go smoothly.  You now get to own your future, good and bad, and the ball is always in your court.     

Next, being an adult means taking responsibility for your community and for our planet.  You are now joining us other adults as the keepers of this world, and the younger generation depends on your responsible actions and leadership.  Always think about the impact that your actions will have on others and on our environment, and never forget that you—as important as you are—are a part of a larger, more important community. 

Finally, and most importantly, being an adult means being an original version of you.  Starting now, no one will really care much about what your reputation in high school was like (adults who still live in their high school past are generally considered pathetic), so this is a great opportunity to create a fresh, authentic, and completely unique identity for yourself.  You—not your peers, the media, or even your family—get to decide who you are.  As you figure it out, take risks, try new things, visit new places, make new friends, eat new foods, and keep track of how all of it makes you feel.  Your conscience will let you know if you’re on to something or not.  And the best part?  Things that people regard as “weird” or “nerdy” in high school are eventually regarded as “quirky” or “interesting” in adulthood.  Embrace your idiosyncrasies, because they will eventually be seen as assets.

Best of luck to you, Class of 2011, and welcome to the adult world!"

What would YOU say to the Class of 2011?