|
On behalf of the Weathersfield School Board, Good Evening - and to the 8th graders -Congratulations!
It truly seems like only yesterday that I was sitting where you parents are tonight as my twin daughters graduated from the old stage. I remember that night, having flashbacks of their younger years and the struggle to figure out where the time went. When I was in the hospital with these two babies, a nurse said to me, "Be careful...don't blink too quickly because it will feel like the milestones will fly by...just that fast."
As I take in this scene tonight, it is vividly clear that I blinked far too fast as my 8th graders are about to begin their senior year and my desperate attempts to capture the last remaining moments and milestones with them collides with their eagerness for adulthood. To all the parents I really have no wise advice other than to say the obvious...appreciate it all...the arguments, tears, laughter, and most importantly, time with your children over the next, and last, four years of their journey through high school ... and blink ever so slowly.
As I had mentioned, this whole scene would feel like total déjà vu of graduations past, if it were not that we're missing a critical person to honor these awesome 8th graders.
Mario Bevacqua was born to be a principal - he lived his dedication to his career every day - but it was especially at the graduation ceremonies, like tonight, when you saw his pride and passion shine. Before giving out the diplomas, he would reflect upon a special memory or funny moment of each 8th grader that truly connected himself to the students, reaffirming the fact that he'd been watching them, he'd been listening to them, and he'd been caring about them for many years. In his eyes, each of you is unique and has amazing potential. As you go on to your next four years of high school, and figure out what you may want to do with your life - remember Mr. B. and the way he lived his life:
To him work was not work when it was something you love - when it's your passion - your calling. The most successful people in this world are the ones who figure out how to combine what they love with the need to make a living. Mr. B. loved kids. You didn't have to know him very well to know that coming to school each and every day for 20 years never got old for him.
Learn to get along with people of all sorts and there's no mountain you can't move. Mr. B. treated everyone with respect and genuine kindness - whether you were students, employees, parents, or community members. His ability to get along with others is a shining example of how human beings should treat one another. As a fellow board member said to me, "Even if you disagreed with him - you couldn't help but like him. Much can be gained in life by simply being kind."
And finally never, never forget your laugh - Personally, I will always remember the way Mr. B. smiled with his entire face. He laughed with his whole being. He told quirky jokes and was never afraid to make light of his own shortcomings. How many people do you know who would honestly admit to being afraid of green jello?!
Tonight we are here to honor you and celebrate your next step toward adulthood. If Mr. B were here, I know he would say how very proud he is of you and how he wants you to succeed in whatever paths you choose. For me, I would say remember the people you meet along this journey...your friends, teachers, principals, and even the people who really make you mad. Collectively and individually, they will help form the person you become later in life. There will be people who you would never want to be like. And then others, like Mr. B, that would make the world a better place if we just had more of them. Take the best of these encounters and forget the rest.
So once again 8th graders, on behalf of the Weathersfield School Board, we say congratulations and we wish you all the best in your next journey!
Speech written by Kelly Murphy, School Board Chairperson June 10, 2010 |
Subscribe to RSS Feed
May.10
