Graduation 2012


Last night was Commencement at the high school where I work. It was one of those early evenings which looked like it could rain. Little do future school superintendents know that one of the most perplexing duties of their position is to be a weather predictor. A rained on graduation, not a good scene. Disastrous actually. Safe or sorry, outside or inside? Should school be cancelled because of snow in the forecast? Stuff like that.

The decision was made to hold Commencement outside. The meteorological Rubicon was crossed. As it turned out, it was a lovely evening. Not sunny and warm, but partly cloudy, cool, with a smattering of sun. Ominous clouds, like sharks, circled the skies but kept their jaws closed.

When the staff walked into the stadium, I and another counselor were at the end of the line and sat at the final row of chairs. When Commencement ended, the staff lined up and faced the stands and the seniors, now graduated, walked by us one last time. I had to step back a bit to create an opening for the seniors to pass through to receive their flowers.

It turned out to be a prime location for hand-shakes. It wasn't my plan or intention. However, one of my students, a young man who struggled greatly but finally triumphed, stopped and said "Dr. Bierker" and held out his hand with a big grin. I could not refuse. Then, that set off a chain reaction of many hand-shakes. I decided to conclude that at the end of my caseload (A-G) but would be willing to shake other seniors hands if they were inclined. A few were.

The future forecast for these kids is not exactly sunny skies and warm breezes. They face a challenging task where the world is cloudy and threatening. Yet, I have a lot of hope for them. They are energetic and bright, full of the idealism of youth. I heard it said that we know that God has hope for the world every time a baby is born. I would say the same for when those babies grow up and graduate, and take those first steps of adulthood at Commencement.

Best wishes to the class of 2012. You take us with you, yet leave a part of yourself behind. Godspeed and God Bless.

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