Following are excerpts from my remarks to the Class of 2017 delivered at Graduation on June 5th.
Members of the School Committee, Mr. Sicotte, faculty,
guests, parents, and members of the Class of 2017, good evening!
To
prepare my remarks for graduation I found it necessary to consult with some of
the greatest minds available.
Fortunately, Boston is home to renowned colleges and universities
staffed with leading researchers and professors. We live in a metropolitan area rich in
corporate know-how and populated with talented and world class artists,
musicians, and writers who work alongside prominent religious, civic, and
social leaders.
I
spoke with over 50 brilliant scholars, all of whom have important stories to
tell, and each one eagerly proffered pointed, salient, and sincere advice for
the Class of 2017. Frankly, I was
overwhelmed with ideas, suggestions, and insights—And I know I can’t do justice
to the sages who took time out of their research, their studies… and their
recess at High Rock School to sit with me and offer a perspective on life and
learning that only a 6th grader can possess.
Yep,
I leaned on the youthful insights of Needham’s 6th graders, all of
whom are your neighbors and even a few are younger family members, sitting here
this evening, applauding as you receive your diploma… and watching and
listening to make sure I get it right.
Now,
granted, the perspective and wisdom of a 6th grader may be limited by age,
schooling, and height. But I think the
young people I spoke with have advice that should resonate with the Class of
’17 and, frankly, with us all. The advice they shared for the graduates falls into three broad categories: The
Practical, The Profound, and The Personal.
First the Practical. Sixth graders are remarkably sensible,
and they want you to get right down to business after graduation. No wasted
time or dithering with parties, beaches, or lounging around. No wallowing in nostalgia, sipping
Starbuck’s, or Snapchatting late into a summer’s afternoon. Some of their more prudent suggestions
include:
• Keep a curfew.
• Don’t worry about the party; worry about the
homework.
• Don’t do bad things and do your class work on
time.
• Eat vegetables.
• Don’t waste your parents’ money on
unnecessary things. (Oh yeah, sure…)
• Try to network and make new friends who will
help you out.
• Drive safely around little kids and never
drink and drive. (I like that one a lot.)
• Don’t sass your teachers.
• Study hard so you don’t end up living in your
parents’ basement after college.
6th
graders can also be quite philosophical, and they offered some profound and
erudite suggestions to the members of the Class of 2017. For example:
• Stand up for your beliefs to make this world
a better place.
• Keep trying:
You never fail; you only learn that some things don’t work.
• Think about the world around you; how can you
make it greener and safer?
• In all of these years the teachers taught you
tremendous things, and hopefully you remembered how important character
is. (This, from a 6th
grader!)
• Don’t be afraid. Take risks. Climb the mountain.
• Be proud of the community you come from but
also be willing to grow and become part of a new community.
• Always remember that if you fall down, it’s
OK as long as you get back up again.
• Be kind to people and don’t bully.
• You’re going to have a hard time if you don’t
maintain a positive attitude.
• (And I like this one a lot: ) What you do
shows who you are.
A
few of the young scholars I spoke with are related to some grads, and they had
lots of personal advice and some reminders. One eager student of a grad
suggested: “You know, it’s a good time to think about moving out!” Mostly,
though, their advice was a little more personal and poignant.
• Keep in touch with the family.
• We may fight a lot but we are still sisters
and we love eachother.
• Don’t forget what mom and dad have taught you.
• I love you so much… and I hope it goes as
planned… and I’m taking over the bathroom and your bedroom.
• Like mom always says: “Say please and thank you and make sure you
include others.”
Pretty
impressive advice, huh? Advice that
comes from some of the youngest among us… the neighborhood kids and little
brothers and sisters who idolize you as heroes, emulate you, and who watch everything you do and say. As one 6th
grader put it to me: “I look up to them
to know what to do.”
Their
advice is innocent, full of wonder, and reminds us to look after one another.
Their advice suggests that the world you create is not for me, your parents, or
our generation, it is for you and it is for them. They want you to lead, create, and nurture a
world that is both exciting and innovative… and caring and humane.
Their
advice to you, spoken so poorly through me, is a wish for their own
future.
They
are depending on you, and if you have listened carefully, their voices offer
messages of courage, hope, and love.
Advice for us all, and a gift to the Class of 2017.
Congratulations!
