The
2015-2016 school year has been one of extreme highs and lows.
At the Lawrence County Career and Technical Center we have
seen unprecedented growth. Our school has swelled to over 440 students for the
first time in more than a decade. In the era of the Keystone exam no class has
ever done academically better. Our NOCTI scores should be over 90% proficient
for the 2nd consecutive year. We had a Skills USA state champion for the first
time in a generation.
We were a school where over 67% of the students NEVER
received a behavioral referral. They were never late to school or class, never
caused a classroom disruption. They did what they were supposed to do. We were
a school where 80% of the students received 3 referrals or less. Maybe they
were late to class or school too many times. We were a school that sent 80+
student to a hockey game as a behavioral incentive. We were a school that sent
80+ students ice skating as a behavioral incentive. We were a school that sent
80+ students to a baseball game as a behavioral incentive. We had over 200
students who were office discipline referral free participate in a picnic
lunch. We gave away 34 gift cards and an I-pad.
This was also a year of behavioral lows. It was 180 days of
"take your hat off." Three seniors had 20 or more office discipline
referrals. Whether you were chronically disobedient or occasionally disruptive,
for the most part it was choice. You were deliberately defiant. The school was
often mired in student conflict related to inappropriate posts on social media.
Understanding one another was not a priority. We became less tolerant of those
who didn't look like us or act like us. We took a step backward when it came to
respect for the decency of humanity. Self was far more important than selfless.
With such a dichotomy of characteristics that define the
legacy of this class, I stand before you nervous. These graduates are at a
crossroads in their lives. Some are the first to graduate high school in their
family. Some are the first to advance to any form of post-secondary education. Many
have established full-time employment or are going to the military. But some
sit here and their long term plans are what they intend to do this weekend.
In order to calm my nerves and perhaps provide some last
minute guidance I refer to the words of Bill Keane. "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a
mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present.” Make the
most of your TODAY!!! You are entitled to nothing. There is no extra talent
needed to work hard and smart. Dot the I's and cross the T's of life.
You chose as your class motto: Chase your dreams but
always know the road that will lead you home again.” These words my Tim McGraw
encourage us to dream and we should. But we need a plan. A dream without a plan
will never be an accomplishment.
Your class song was My Wish from Rascal Flats. My
wish for you is to discover your potential. Be a contributor to society.
Everywhere you go leave it better than you found it. Dare to be the best child,
friend, worker you can be. Dare to expect more from yourself and less from
others.
In summation I leave you with 3 simple rules that
will guide you in life:
- Go where you are supposed to go!
- Be there on time!
- And when your there, use your God-given abilities to the very best you can.
Congratulations class of 2016!
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