Marti Champion, Head of Middle School

I think it would be fair to say that each of you has encountered a challenge or two in your fourteen years of life. Think about the moment you saw your first set of monkey bars. They were so far off of the ground. There were so many bars, and they were spaced so far apart. There was no way you were going to make it across, ever. However, after a couple of deep breaths and a pep talk of sorts, you decided to give it a go. You were going to show those monkey bars who’s boss. Did it happen the first time? The second time? The third? How many times, blisters, falls and bandaids did it take before you were comfortable on those monkey bars? How long did it take before you were so comfortable you were able to skip every other bar? What lessons did you learn? It took practice to own those monkey bars, but you wouldn’t have conquered them if you hadn’t met the challenge and believed you could do it. It took practice to become comfortable, but that comfort didn’t necessarily mean you were doing it wrong. It just meant you were ready for the next challenge.

Lesson number two: “You know what the happiest animal on earth is? It’s a goldfish. You know why? It’s got a 10-second memory.” 

I am not quite sure how accurate the “10-second memory” part is, but the sentiment is fitting. You are human beings doing your best to be good humans, and right, wrong or indifferent, you are bound to make mistakes. In fact, I suspect each of you has made at least one mistake. Regardless, there is one thing I know to be true. You are not defined by your mistakes, especially once you’ve owned and repaired them. As you move beyond the gates of Graland Country Day School, believe in the power of the “10-second memory.”  To wallow in your mistakes keeps you from learning and moving forward.

Lesson number three: “Be curious, not judgemental.” 

When you’re curious, you ask questions, and the answers to those questions have so much potential. Do not underestimate yourself, and most importantly, do not underestimate others. You can waste so much time and energy when you believe you have everything figured out. Enter high school with a curious mind. Ask that burning question. Engage in that conversation. Become part of the community. Your story. My story. Our story. Each of us is better for knowing someone who is different from us. Believe in the power of digging just a bit deeper. Be curious, not judgemental.

And lesson number four, maybe the most important: “Believe.”

To believe is to accept something as true (Merriam-Webster). I will spare you a complete grammar lesson, but suffice it to say that believe is an action verb. However, unlike the verbs run, jump and swim, you cannot see someone believing… or can you?

The act of believing does not happen in a vacuum. A number of seeds must be planted, and action is required by an individual or a group. At Graland Country Day School, we believe. We believe that being together is far better than being apart, and for the past two years we worked hard to make it happen. As a school community, we believe in each of you. The biggest evidence of that is our presence here today. Your family members and teachers believed you could do it, and you have. Congratulations.

Now, I will say what have become my parting words to each graduating class. Sawubona (sah-woo-bone-ah). I see you. I see your personality. I see your humanity. I see your dignity. As an educator, I am in the precious position of working with young people who possess many unique qualities, needs and dreams. I see you. I see you as a complex young person trying to find their way as a student, friend and family member. You are enough and you have so much to offer those whose paths you’ll cross in your lifetime. I see you.

Here’s to a good summer and a whole new adventure called high school. I believe in each one of you, and I look forward to hearing about the amazing young people you become. Good luck.