June 9, 2014 at 12:30 p.m.
Turning the tassel: RHS grads encouraged to focus on character and find their sunshine
RHS grads encouraged to build character and find their sunshine as they head out into the world
Turning the tassel: RHS grads encouraged to focus on character and find their sunshine
No longer will a bell alert them to where they're supposed to be. No longer will they see the same faces day in and day out as they travel the halls of RHS moving from classroom to classroom. It's time for the graduates to join the "real world" and find their place in life.
That was the message the speakers conveyed to the graduates as they sat on the sun-filled football field awaiting their diplomas. Now is the time to truly define who you are and what you will mean to this world, the speakers told the newest alumni of RHS. Now is the time to shine.
Principal David Ditzler, after leading a moment of silence for former student Leanna Kossack who succumbed to cancer last year, shared two recent experiences with the students that he hoped would help them as they begin the next stage of their lives.
First, Ditzler told the graduates about a fortune cookie he recently opened. It told him that nothing begins without first being a dream. Knowing that, he told the grads to dream big, become inspired and live a life of character.
"Dream big. You have so many years ahead of you, ladies and gentleman, let your dreams inspire you to do some incredibly wonderful things," Ditzler told the students."While you do those things, live a life of character."
Ditzler shared a second story with his pupils. He said that while he was cutting down a tree for firewood to prepare for the winter, it fell and hit another tree that he was hoping would not have to come down, as it looked like a very healthy tree.
After it hit the ground and he inspected it further, Ditzler said he found that the tree came down so easily because it was rotted on the inside. That, to him, showed that the tree was weak because of a lack of character, something he does not want to see happen to the students.
"You will face trials in this life. They will come. As you are dreaming big, also live that life of character that will stand the test of time," he said before adding that he knows the class of 2014 will have no problem achieving their dreams.
"We are celebrating and recognizing the beginning of what's next. Wherever you go, whatever you choose to do, I am supremely confident that you will do well," he said.
"Today, we say go. Go out there and be excellent. Don't forget your Hodag roots, but go and be excellent and make our world a better place."
English teacher Allison Johnson, the faculty speaker chosen by the students and, according to the students, RHS's own "ray of sunshine," echoed Ditzler's message by telling the students now is the time to go out and find their purpose, to be open to every opportunity presented to them, to not be afraid of being undecided in what they want to do with their lives. Most importantly, though, Johnson said now is the time for the students to find their own sunshine.
"Here are my wise words: be flexible, be open to opportunities. Unexpected things that happen may allow you to realize some really powerful things. Don't be afraid of being undecided," she said.
"Your spark may hit you when you least expect it. Embrace the things that may throw you off balance and force you to see your life in a different way. Find and embrace your sunshine."
Valedictorian Amber Sheth encouraged her fellow graduates to embrace the fact that their future is now and become agents of change to make the world a better place.
"Soon we will be adults and workers and members of society," she said. "The future is happening right now. I say that the future is happening right now because it is the young people of today that will be the agents of change for tomorrow. This diverse group has great potential."
Marcus Nesemann may be reached at [email protected].
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