Most of us have to dig deep to reach memories of high school graduation. TODAY’S HIGH schools deserve applause for how they educate the whole student. In addition to a core curriculum of science, English and government classes, students also can receive instruction in life skills such as parenting, balancing a checkbook, and in relationships. Kudos are in order for the Iola High School student council for addressing bullying between students as something that should not be tolerated.
But no matter how far back the journey, similarities exist. For most, high school ends the years of living under your parents’ roof. It marks the beginning of studying for a career or leaping into a job right off the bat. Graduation can also bring the end, or beginning, to a relationship. And for those who grow up in small towns like Iola, it likely means the start of an adventure to bigger towns, other states or even far-away countries.
So right there are four requirements to a successful graduation: Be equipped to function in a bigger world; be able to manage relationships; be ready to snip the parental strings; and be focused on a way to earn a living.
That’s so much more than mastering a Regents university curriculum, although college scholarships are essential these days to help ease the burden of higher education.
Of course, with age comes the advantage of perspective. What was important at age 18 — really, such a tender age — rarely survives the next decade. Going steady in high school only proved to be a rocky road when tested by the bigger world. The money for a car loan should have been spent on tuition. Accounting pleased the parents as a sensible major, but failed to trigger the needed interest to stay the course.
Step by step, through failures and successes, the lucky ones carved their ways to satisfyingly productive and purposeful lives.
Second chances are a wonderful thing — and don’t stop with youth, as proved by Monday’s graduation of non-traditional students through the General Education Development program at Allen Community College.
As a community we can help draw back our talented youth by investing in them now. Support your schools, way past the time your own have left their mark. Give to the youths raising funds to attend competitions and summer camps. Those are gifts long remembered and perhaps one day will come right back at us.
— Susan Lynn
