Dear Graduating Seniors,
The past few years, I have made a habit of writing a letter to the senior class as it departs the building and journeys off to the great wide open. Generally this letter congratulates them on graduating and gives them a little advice as they take the next step in this journey. This year, I have 4 thoughts that I want to share with you. They are actually four numbers that I think are relevant to you. I hope you read this letter understanding that my intentions are not to scare you about "the real world", but more to open your eyes and give you some thoughts to ponder as you continue on in your adventure. So let's get right to the advice.
2 - Directions you should look. At this point in your life, you are all just looking straight forward to whatever lies ahead of you, which is perfectly acceptable and you should do. However, you should take a moment and look over your shoulder at all the people who helped you get to this point. You may not understand right now, but it truly does take a village to raise a child. There have been so many people who have pitched in to help you accomplish your goal of graduating high school. Whether it be a relative, teacher, coach, pastor, friend, or anyone else, take a moment to thank those in your life who cheered you on when you were at your best and picked you up when you were at your worst. While the future holds great things for all of you, you should not forget the ones in your life who helped make that future possible. I know they will be incredibly proud of you when you walk across that stage and get your diploma and that is probably all the thanks that they really want, but a quick note or conversation would mean more to them than you would believe.
0- This is precisely the number of things that you are entitled to in your life. You aren't entitled to a passing grade in college. You aren't entitled to $15 an hour. You aren't even entitled to be happy. When the Founding Fathers wrote the Declaration of Independence, they did not say that happiness is an unalienable right. They said the PURSUIT of happiness is the right that all people have. As a society, we have too many people who believe they have the right to things just because they exist. They couldn't be more wrong. Existing simply gives you the opportunity to pursue what you want and what makes you happy. The sooner you realize that you earn everything in this world worth having, the sooner you will feel true happiness.
1- The exact number of people who are responsible for your actions. No one else in this world has more of an influence on your success from this point on than you. Your professors don't "give" you poor or good grades, you earn them. Your boss doesn't fire you or give you a raise, you earn it. Your parents have done pretty much all they can to raise you, and most have done a wonderful job. It is your time to take all the lessons you have learned over your 18 or 19 years on this earth and apply them. Stop blaming other people for your failures. Look in the mirror and realize that your actions and the consequences of those actions are solely your responsibility. You will screw up. You will catch bad breaks. You will also succeed. In all that you do, take responsibility. If you don't like the way things turned out, figure out what went wrong and fix it. If you do like the way things turned out, then figure out what you did right and repeat it. Never, under any circumstance, point a finger at anyone other than yourself though. If you learn to take ownership of your actions and consequences, you will be far better off than most people in our current society.
6- The number of years that many, probably most, of you have been a student at Southern Wells Jr/Sr High School. For every single one of you, you have seen the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. You have made wonderful, life long friends who have stuck by your side through it all. You have had people who you thought would be those friends who slowly, or quickly, faded from your life. You have been pushed, challenged, applauded, punished, and most importantly loved by members of the faculty and staff. Some of you have seen tremendous success publicly on the athletic fields or courts, and some have achieved more silent success in the classroom. Others have failed very publicly on those same fields and courts and privately in those same classrooms. The last six years have been a whirlwind of experiences. Congratulations on surviving. It truly is an accomplishment. However, don't let this be your greatest accomplishment. The last six years shouldn't be the best years of your life. Leave this place and go out and make better memories. Make better friends. Make a life in the future and don't live in the past.
So there it is. That is my advice to you. It has been a pleasure to teach, coach, and get to know you over the past four years. As a group, you have left an incredible legacy on this school and community. Good luck to all of you in everything you do and if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask.
Best of Luck,
Mr. Burman
PS- Hey Class of 2016....
(Got you)