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June 4, 2010

 

Senator Lloyd Smucker

School-to-Work Graduation 

Throughout your lives, people with the best of intentions will drill into you the importance of first impressions.  The experienced leaders at IU 13 obviously practice what they preach, because the first impression of the school-to-work program is favorable on all counts.  As are subsequent impressions.  Seeing the results, it is clear you picked the right word in tagging this event as a "celebration."  There is much to celebrate.

For this is more than just a matter of academic and technical instruction and mastery.  There is a lot of caring and compassion and cooperation poured into this program.

A graduation ceremony represents an important threshold crossed, one of those forever moments in your lives.  At most events, the speakers try to say something inspiring or uplifting to the students.  That is true here too.  But something is different.  Because of the individual hurdles students overcome, you are an inspiration to the speakers. 

The focus is on ability.  Putting together what you can do, what you like to do, and what you are given the chance to do.  Taking down physical and emotional barriers that stand in the way of participation and accomplishment.  That is key to leading a meaningful and fulfilling life.  When you can see people believing in you, it is much easier to believe in yourself. 

Attitude, perspective, outlook, these things matter.  As Helen Keller put it: "No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new heaven to the human spirit."  She knew that optimism can unlock a world of opportunity. 

Education is supposed to be a purely positive undertaking.  Yet, in these contentious times, there always seem negative clouds hanging over the arena, as adults argue over everything from cost to curriculum, from taxes to teachers.  Even the landmark education law is written in negatives – No Child Left Behind.  Today, we underline the positive – each child deserves an opportunity right for them.

For many years, those seeking to improve education and to boost the economy have worried about the seeming disconnect between the classroom and the workplace.  Here, that connection is well-made.  A job opens doors.  Too many people size up a job by the title and the salary, what you are called and what you make.  But a job has all sorts of benefits we tend to take for granted – pride, self-worth, skills enhancement, a sense of independence.  So there is value to work that we simply cannot hang a pricetag on.

Even when formal schooling is in your rearview mirror, the lessons in living never stop.  The late Fred Rogers, folksy star of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, told a story about a young apprentice who applied for a job with a master carpenter.  The carpenter asked: "Do you know your trade?"  "Yes sir," the young man proudly replied.  The carpenter then asked: "Have you ever made a mistake?"  "No sir," the young man confidently asserted, thinking that would clinch the job.  "Then there is no way I am going to hire you," the carpenter said, "Because when you make one, you will not know how to fix it."

We all have limitations.  We all have holes in our repertoire.  We all are imperfect in our efforts.  Our capacity to overcome limitations, to fix and learn from mistakes, to display the perseverance necessary to achieve results, those elements distinguish us.  Many successes are scored by individuals who disregard the naysayers and move forward, willing to make mistakes in trying to achieve worthy goals and in pursuing intriguing interests.

Today, we celebrate the student-workers who have successfully completed the program requirements.

We celebrate the education professionals who provide superb instruction, guidance, and encouragement.

We celebrate the employers who offer these kids the chance to show what they can do.

We celebrate the communities that are home to educators and employers who realize the virtue of this constructive collaboration.

Most of all, we celebrate that you, very special young people, have the prospect of fulfilling your potential and being contributors to our productive future.  We are happy for you, we are inspired by you, and we are very proud of you.