What He Said
I've had the opportunity to attend a whole series of graduation ceremonies this spring - I know, a dubious honor by most standards,but they are growing on me. I am there in an official capacity, as photographer to the grads, and during the requisite speeches and awards I have little to do but sit quietly and respectfully.
There is such a range. The inner city high school, where pale faces in the rows are few and far between and kids have surmounted not only the demands of high school but the clutches of poverty and violence. Where a history of failure is faced straight on and challenged every day. These kids got some serious scholarships... they must have beaten every bush for a few dollars to pave the way to college. These kids mourn a classmate lost only a week ago to a bullet. These kids celebrated in the aisles. A gritty city auditorium, folding chairs, and Pomp and Circumstance on a boombox.
The medical school, where a brilliant mind and years of grueling work don't spare you the nearly a quarter of a million dollar tab, but life stretches ahead now filled with opportunity. Adults walking across the stage, many with families. A class committed to issues of global health, and compassion, and service. An elegant concert hall, Pomp and Circumstance on the bagpipes, and colorful hoods adorning their robes.
The speakers are varied, from the droning principal who doesn't know when his time is up, to a global leader in health care for third world countries, who charges his listeners "whatever you do, give your heart away." But my favorite so far was last night, at Cleveland High School. Steve Duin is a columnist for The Oregonian, and was a mentor to a small group of creative writing students at the school. He spoke to the graduates with honesty and care, with wit and compassion. He was succinct. He was smart. The graduates listened, they smiled, they groaned a few times, but their eyes brightened and their backs straightened as they caught a new glimpse of this wide world ahead of them. I was delighted to find the full text of Mr. Duin's address on his blog this morning, so I am going to share it too - http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/steve_duin/index.ssf/2009/06/cleveland_2009_commencement.html#post
There is such a range. The inner city high school, where pale faces in the rows are few and far between and kids have surmounted not only the demands of high school but the clutches of poverty and violence. Where a history of failure is faced straight on and challenged every day. These kids got some serious scholarships... they must have beaten every bush for a few dollars to pave the way to college. These kids mourn a classmate lost only a week ago to a bullet. These kids celebrated in the aisles. A gritty city auditorium, folding chairs, and Pomp and Circumstance on a boombox.
The medical school, where a brilliant mind and years of grueling work don't spare you the nearly a quarter of a million dollar tab, but life stretches ahead now filled with opportunity. Adults walking across the stage, many with families. A class committed to issues of global health, and compassion, and service. An elegant concert hall, Pomp and Circumstance on the bagpipes, and colorful hoods adorning their robes.
The speakers are varied, from the droning principal who doesn't know when his time is up, to a global leader in health care for third world countries, who charges his listeners "whatever you do, give your heart away." But my favorite so far was last night, at Cleveland High School. Steve Duin is a columnist for The Oregonian, and was a mentor to a small group of creative writing students at the school. He spoke to the graduates with honesty and care, with wit and compassion. He was succinct. He was smart. The graduates listened, they smiled, they groaned a few times, but their eyes brightened and their backs straightened as they caught a new glimpse of this wide world ahead of them. I was delighted to find the full text of Mr. Duin's address on his blog this morning, so I am going to share it too - http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/steve_duin/index.ssf/2009/06/cleveland_2009_commencement.html#post
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