This is graduation season and I've received several graduation announcements, lauding the students and their many achievements. These students certainly deserve the honors and recognition they are receiving for all of their hard work. They are at the top of their classes and will most likely go on to make their marks in the world. One of the announcements struck me as bordering on being over the top. The student was graduating from high school and going to a prestigious college. I understand the parents' pride, but he hadn't won a Nobel prize or made a landmark scientific discovery. I started thinking about all the "average" kids.
I want to recognize all the kids who didn’t win an award, make the honor roll, and those who struggled and had difficulty, maybe just barely making it through the school year.
Big hugs and a pat on the back also go to the moms, dads, grandparents, caregivers, and foster parents that stuck by them, offering help, support, and encouragement as they guided their students through the school years.
A lovely sentiment, Bonny, and so true. Many wonderful qualities that make the world a better place are not valued.
ReplyDeleteWell said, Bonny
ReplyDeleteYes. Yes. Yes. What a beautiful graduation message . . . for ALL the graduates and their families. XO
ReplyDeleteA huge YES to all of this. This is the best graduation message of all, Bonny! :)
ReplyDeleteSo much this! Everyone thinks that they (and their kid) are above average, but the reality is that most people are exceptional. And everyone deserves recognition for finishing school.
ReplyDeleteApplause!!!! As the years go by, I am increasingly uncomfortable with the over-the-top celebrations. Where I work, it starts with Convocation, where we are "introduced" to the incoming class, and usually hear that there are already students who have cured cancer or raised $1 million or something like that. It's ludicrous.
ReplyDeleteYour graduation message is beautiful and true. Everyone who works hard enough to graduate deserves to be celebrated. My sister ( a university professor) always says that her students who work hard for B & C grades are the ones who are most likely to go on to successful, interesting, and satisfying careers.
ReplyDeleteNot everybody needs a trophy for everything they do, but sometimes it's good to recognize the hard work involved and not just the top grade. I'm glad to hear that your sister confirms this!
DeleteAMEN! To all of this. What a great post Bonny!
ReplyDeleteI wish you could be on the podium and read this aloud at all those graduations, or print out copies and hand it to everyone in attendance!
ReplyDeleteI'd be glad to give this speech at a few graduations! (There could even be a few kids who would be glad to hear it!)
Deleteso beautifully said, and yes so many need to hear this Thanks Bonny
ReplyDeleteThank you, Grace!
DeleteYes that was lovely. These students never get the praise they deserve. In the end, we all put our pants on one leg at a time. Here's to the mediocre, may they inherit the earth.
ReplyDeleteAs adults, we know that what and how you do in high school and/or college is not directly correlated with whether you are a good person or care about your fellow human beings. Here's to the average and those trying their best!
DeleteI was at that top graduation and I remember it like it was yesterday. I find the 'average' kids way more interesting. They are often the ones with the best stories
ReplyDeleteAh, yes, and you are somewhat familiar with Ryan's story now! Gettysburg was a great place for him, but we can't all excel in everything all the time. Cheers to the average kids and the average adults!
DeleteYES! Thank you for sharing this reminder to honor all kinds of achievements. Some kids succeed with ease, some struggle, and those kids deserve ALL the recognition for their triumph despite obstacles.
ReplyDeleteI love this time of year! My neighbors just put up a lawn display celebrating two graduations in the family and I smiled. What blessings! Awards or no awards there is hard work living in these times.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great reminder, Bonny, and well-said!
ReplyDeleteWhat an excellent post. Sometimes the kids that don't shine in high school bloom later and other times they are just ordinary decent human beings. We need all of them.
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