Column 82 for May 13, 2001

High School Seniors. What are we going to do with them? What are they going to do with the rest of their lives? Is this the first year we’ve had this problem?

Chrysalis is a word that comes to mind to define our seniors this year. Webster’s dictionary defines chrysalis as " a pupa of a butterfly", a protective covering, a "sheltered state." How appropriate! As a teacher, and as most other teachers I expect, we consider our seniors (even those over 18…) still to be children. For the most part they have been living in a sheltered state. They are in a period of metamorphis – meaning a stage of great change.

High School Graduation is a "stage" of life not an end. I really hope that for most seniors it is not the pinnacle of their life. That would be so sad. So many of them have much more to contribute to our society! This graduation is not meant to be the end of their success! I, and I hope you too, expect so much more from these young folks!

That’s one reason why they call the graduation ceremony "Commencement." Commencement means the beginning of something, not the end! I hope the seniors realize this and reach for even higher peaks.

I want these "kids" to reach beyond graduation this year and really make a difference in this world. Be a factor in life. We need to tell them this. We need them to DO this! We need them to be successful! It takes all of us to convince them how bright their future really can be.

I remember living in Florida not so long ago. Near my home was a place, "The Wonder Bar", that had a "live" band every Friday night. I was amazed at the number of people from Wewahitchka, Florida, just north of there, and from other small towns nearby that considered this evening of dancing and drinking the highlight of their lives. It really bothered me. These were talented people, just like our seniors here, but they became complacent and never strived to get out of their rut.

Seniors, make us all proud! Do things important enough that you put your class ring in the drawer!

Shalom, tomiswho@mindspring.com