Moving Up

Graduation is next Friday.  After that, you are the new eighth graders.  While you may not realize it, being the most senior class in the school carries a tremendous responsibility.  Every class, from the 7^th to the kindergarten is looking to you for direction and as role models. 

Even though the school has been around for over a hundred years, the culture and personality of the school is determined first and foremost by the students.  And the group of students with the greatest amount of influence is the eighth grade.  You will set the tone for the entire 2012-2013 school year.

I believe in the idea that it is each of our responsibility to make whatever it is we start better when we leave.  That should apply to everything we do in life.  If you happen to agree with me, your responsibilities as an eighth grader just increase.  You have made the school, teachers, and parents proud for the previous 8 years, so I know you are up to the challenge. 

It is also time to have fun.  Your eighth grade year should be your best.  You have reached the top of the pile and it is time to enjoy the view.  You have worked hard to get here and should enjoy the privileges of being the most senior class.

What are you looking forward to the most as you enter eighth grade?  What tone do you want to set for the rest of the school and how will you do it?  What will you do, both individually and as a class, during the next year to make St. Joe’s better?  

May Day 2012

I typically refrain from giving my opinion about the topics I write about.  I would rather read what you think than have my thoughts and opinions shape your ideas.  While I still hope for that, after reading about some of the lunacy of May 1, 2012, I can no longer hold my tongue.

On May 1^st across the country May Day protests, some tied to the Occupy Wall Street protests, declared this a day to up the public protests against the 1% of the population controlling the wealth of this country.  Great.  It is each person’s choice to stand up for what they believe in and question our society and government in the face of anything which may infringe on our rights and our liberty.  That being said, this constant protest has reached the point of absurdity in many places and with many people.  They have taken this idea of equality and fairness and turned it into a ridiculous rant against the wealthy.  Many have chosen to make their protests violent, disruptive, and chaotic. 

If you read the papers or search the internet you will find multiple stories concerning arrests, disruptive protests, and other gathering coordinated by the Occupy Whatever City groups.  What fascinates and irritates me is, “What do they want?”  They are concerned about the 1% of the population controlling the political and economic systems of our country.  If this is there problem, what is their solution?

Regardless, I am not one of the 1%.  But I do not believe or plan on giving any one group, wealthy or not, the power to decide anything about my life, liberty or my pursuit of happiness.  This country was built on the beliefs of valuing and respecting each individual.  I know this because I can vote.  I know this because I get to choose my profession.  I can be whatever I want to be and so can my children.  They are not held down or limited based on their economic status.

 The United States of America is the greatest country in the world.  For hundreds of years we have been evolving into what we are, but our foundation is still in line with our founding fathers.  That does not mean we do not have problems.  We do.  Giant problems that need to be resolved.  But the idea of redistributing wealth goes against everything our country was based on.  You can do anything you want to if you are willing to work hard and dedicate yourself to your goals.  That to me is the bigger problem in our country. We have lost our will to work hard.  We want things to be given to us and everything to be fair.  All I know is that the things I really have had to work hard for or continue to work hard with are the most precious things in my life.  The hard work is what makes it all worth it.

I am impressed with some of the protestors.  I think they have valid concerns and would like real change.  Unfortunately it is the knuckle head antics that are getting the press.

What in your life have you had to work hard for?  What challenges did you face when trying to achieve your goals?  How did you overcome the obstacles?