Experiencing failure is not a barrier to success, Dianne Kauth told a group of select Iola High School students Wednesday.
In fact, she said, it’s almost necessary.
Kauth, a math teacher at IHS, was the keynote speaker at Wednesday’s National Honor Society induction ceremony. Fifteen new inductees were honored, as were the 14 outgoing seniors who have been a part of NHS through their high school careers.
“All of you are here tonight because of your hard work,” Kauth said, while offering a challenge.
“You know technology better than all generations before you,” she said. “However, ever, I’m going to make a comment. I think your parents and grandparents have a better work ethic.
“You have the opportunity to be the best there is,” she continued. “If you can take your parents’ and grandparents’ work ethic, and combine it with your technology know-how, you’re going to be a generation that nobody can touch.”
Success can be measured in lifetime achievements, or through the many steps it takes to get there, Kauth continued.
She mentioned several celebrities, from Michael Jordan to Dr. Seuss, who experienced failure at various points in their lives.
Jordan was famously cut from his high school varsity basketball team.
But by dedicating himself to the sport even more, he eventually became a gold medalist, college and NBA champion, and perhaps the most renowned athlete of all time, Kauth noted.
Others, such as Oprah Winfrey, Madonna and Elon Musk overcame horrific childhood experiences to make it in their respective fields.
Even the founders of Starbucks were rejected 217 times for their vision of a global coffeehouse system before an investor said yes.
Kauth’s point?
Do not expect instant gratification when you enter the workforce, she cautioned.
“We are so programmed to think you have to have everything now and quickly,” she said, from cooking food in a microwave, to hitting a couple of buttons on a dishwasher.
