What the Valedictorian Said

Across the country thousands perhaps millions have sat in auditoriums and football fields proudly waiting for the moment their loved one graduated. Part of that process includes listening to speeches given by various parties. Two of those speeches are presented by those who earned the titles of valedictorian and salutatorian. If you were one of the approximate 5,000 who sat through my son's graduation you heard what was probably the worse speech ever given by a Valedictorian.

The word valedictorian is derived from the Latin vale dicere, literally "to say goodbye" -- hence the tradition of having the valedictorian deliver the closing speech at a graduation ceremony. Similarly, the salutatorian -- from the Latin salve dicere, "to say hello" -- typically gives the opening speech.   A Google or Yahoo search for valedictorian speech ideas/advice tends to produce similar results. The advice given is that the speech should be reflective of the student body and your shared experiences as well as giving advice for the future. The speech is not a moment of self-promotion, or a time of exclusion. It simply is a time for one student to talk to his/her fellow students, their last shared official good-bye.

This idea of a class based speech is dwindling as is the idea of having a Valedictorian all together. There is a slow but growing trend of school districts across the country that is choosing to do away with the titles of Valedictorian and Salutatorian all together. In Arizona the number of districts doing away with those titles is growing. In an article found in The Republic many school districts are choosing to honor the top one or two percent.  Among the reasons given is the number of students transferring from other districts or states as well as those taking classes on-line.  David Hawkins, a  director of public policy and research for the National Association for College Admission Counseling said although there is little official data, the changes seem to reflect a trend across the country.  Many colleges no longer name valedictorians. In the 18th century, they began to shift to identifying a large group of honors students: high-achieving students can graduate cum laude (with honor),magna cum laude (with great honor) or summa cum laude (with highest honor).  At our high school it was common knowledge that a number of kids including our valedictorian took advantage of on-line classes and grade forgiveness options to replace every non-A grade ever received.  No wonder districts are struggling with the idea of keeping valedictorians.

    In those school districts that do still award the title of Valedictorian the speeches being given no longer seem to represent the idea that this is an honor.  While I do not expect a high school senior to be able to share the keys to a successful future in their speech I do think it is fair to expect that their speech will be one that is representative of not only their academic achievement but their fellow classmates as well.  Until I started researching for this blog I sincerely thought, well at least hoped, that the dreadful speech I sat through was unique in its ability to disenfranchise the overwhelming majority of not only the students but the audience as well.  It seems that the idea of being Valedictorian as an honor is misconstrued today as most see it as a prize won and their speech the spoils.  In California Orestimba High School Valedictorian Saul Tello, Jr gave his speech in Spanish.  He was the first Hispanic valedictorian at the school and he wanted to use his speech to honor his parents.   His original plan was to give the speech in both English and Spanish but was told there wasn’t enough time to do both.  Major controversy has erupted over the decision of the school district to encourage Saul to do this.  I am not looking to get into a debate over language and cultures.  However I go back to my statement that the speech shouldn’t be viewed as a trophy for the winner to do with whatever he wants.  When Saul delivered his speech he started off by apologizing to those who wouldn’t be able to understand.  He didn’t graduate in a predominantly Hispanic community.  The over-whelming majority of his classmates were not from a Hispanic household.  I do wish that the school board had taken the time to print the speech out so that all could be able to understand and enjoy Saul’s speech.   Chances are he had something great to say however most weren’t able to understand him. 

     So Class of 2013 valedictorians from the perspective of a parent, please take these few pieces of advice when writing your script:

ü Remember inside jokes are only funny to those on the inside ~ if more than half  your peers don’t get it don’t share it

ü Thanking your parents is expected ~ thanking every person you know isn’t

ü Being in a relationship is wonderful ~ sharing your undying love in your speech isn’t

ü You received this award based on your academics~ YOLO, BFF and such really undermine your standing

ü You will still live in your hometown after graduation ~ don’t embarrass yourself  as you’ll see us for many years to come

ü You are giving your speech as a member of your high school ~ don’t shout “Go Gators” (or any college team) when you’re on Bronco property!!

Patrick is 3rd smiling at his NJROTC friends

Two Down One to Go

    On Friday June 1st, we did it.  We graduated our son from High School.  That's right I'm using the pronoun WE because getting a child through 13 years of school is a family affair. We have successfully graduated two of our three children so far.  

     Whether your child is Valedictorian, an average student or one that barely gets by graduating from high school is a team win.  The amount of intervention changes year to year, class to class and student to student but in no way do they get to graduation on their own.  However it seems that graduation is no longer the priority in America that it used to be.  Combine that with the way today's economy stands, graduating high school has truly become a smaller stepping stone to one's success than it used to be.    

     According to America's Promise a student drops out of high school every 26 seconds.  Established in 2010 America's Promise created the campaign Grad Nation.  The two goals of this campaign is for America to achieve a 90% graduation rate nationwide by 2020, with no high school graduating less than 80% of its students and to regain America's standing as first in the world in college completion.  Currently as a nation only 75% of our students will graduate from high school.  One third of the students graduating will require some type of remedial courses when they start college.  The number of college graduates also continues to decline.  According to research done by Georgetown University more than half of the new jobs created in the next few years will require a post-secondary degree.  I read an interesting fact in a Washington Post article .  On average, high school graduates earn $130,000 more over their lifetimes, compared with peers who drop out of school. Transforming just one student from dropout to graduate would yield more than $200,000 in higher tax revenue and savings for the government over the course of that person’s life

There are initiatives across the country to help curb this crisis in graduation.  Using this map created by EducationWeek.org you can see a graduation report for your school district.  The report will include information on the number of students, schools, graduation rates and other facts.  Florida is one of 29 states that currently allow students to leave school before the age of 18.  Once a student reaches the age of 16 they can file with the school board their intent to leave the school system, parental/guardian notification is required.  I found it interesting that one of the requirements upon making this decision is for both student and parent/guardian to sign a declaration acknowledging that by leaving school the student's earning potential will likely be reduced.  Recently my son had a status on FB that truly upset a few people.  He didn't understand how someone could drop out of school being with only a few weeks to go.  He was called ignorant and closed minded, which I'll be honest totally floored me.  How can we get children, yes until you are 18 you are a child in my book, to understand the decisions they make today affect their future in untold ways.  I've heard kids say that school isn't for them, the teachers don't get me, they hate the whole culture and a number of other reasons for leaving.  In the state of Florida any resident can go online and take every required course for graduation FOR FREE.  That's right Florida has a virtual school which is offered at no charge to its residents.  Many home-schoolers use this program.

     So once again I am proud to announce that WE graduated our son from high school.  Two down and one to go.... thankfully the odds are in our favor

They Ruined the Awards Ceremony

    With the end of school upon of our schedules start to fill up with concerts, play-offs and ceremonies.  Here in our school district end of year award ceremonies are a big thing.  That is until the parents ruined it.
     In elementary school we would have award ceremonies after the end of every quarter.  Included in the report cards would be an invitation announcing that your child would be receiving an award and you were encouraged to attend.  The Kindergarten and First Grade teachers were very generous and made sure that at some point during the year each child received an award.  When Second Grade arrived additional awards started being handed out based on grades.
      I really didn't notice anything the first year and was the proud mom running up to take pictures when my daughter's name was called.  Then it happened.  In third grade she received an award entitled "Most Improved".  What seemed like a move from synchronized swimming, a group of Moms turned towards me with their "Aw glad she's doing better but not as good as my child" smile.  You know the one, where they're smiling but their heads crooked to the side.  I truly didn't know how to react.  Then as the program continued her name was called along with others for Honor Roll.  This time I was given a thumbs up from a couple of the moms. A few of them even commented to my daughter how proud they were of her hard work.  Here's the reality:  The teacher had given her the "Most Improved" award for her neatness in cursive, and unlike what those Moms thought had nothing to do with grades.
    Our children along with 800 others were sent to a brand new school the following year.  With a new school comes new traditions and it seems some of the parents had a few they wanted to start.  The first year was pretty mild however I noticed that instead of just a parent showing up for these awards entire families were now attending. Siblings were being pulled out of their classes to see their brother or sister receive their award.  Now I am all for celebrating a child's achievement.  In fact my kids know that great report cards equal a family night out.  My husband has never taken off work to watch any of our kids receive a quarterly award.  We were in the minority.  It got to where there were cheering sections when a child's name was called.  Now if you haven't been to one of these ceremonies very often multiple children receive the same award and the list of names are read off with each child walking to the stage.  So while Johnny's family is woo-hooing his perfect attendance Sue's family can barely hear their child's name being called.
     At the start of the second year it was announced that siblings could no longer be pulled from classes. The awards ceremonies were also switched from the end of the day to the middle of the morning which greatly reduced the number of attendees.  It was also announced at the beginning of the ceremony that ALL APPLAUSE would be held until the end of each award.  Of course it took a few stern looks from the principal to enforce this rule but it worked.  I guess a couple families felt that this was not the right way to celebrate their students as the next ceremony would prove.
     I thought I had missed a party or something when I arrived at the next award ceremony.  There were a couple of moms sitting together who had balloons under their chairs.  Was a teacher engaged?  Was someone retiring?  Being a pretty active volunteer at school I was usually on top of those things so I was truly perplexed.  Imagine my surprise when these Moms walked to the stage and presented their child a balloon when they received an award!  These were the kids who were always on Honor Roll, receiving perfect attendance and such.  It wasn't as if they were being nominated for a Junior Version of the Nobel Peace Prize.  Not only did it interrupt the ceremony but you know it made the other kids on stage at the same time feel bad. Of course my daughter was after one of these balloon kids.  Due to the amount of time it took for the Mom to hand her daughter the balloon I was unable to get a picture of my child getting her award.
     The craziness grew from there.  From balloons it went to flowers for the girls, candy grams for the guys.  Then one Mom finally pushed it too far.  I don't know why she did it, all I can imagine is that the balloons, flowers and candy were no longer enough.  When her daughter was called for her Honor Roll Award this Mom walked up to the stage and presented her child with a teddy bear.  To be sure you have the right image think huge carnival size, the one guys win to impress their girls.  The teacher presenting the award even stopped to comment on sweet that was. SWEET~ are you kidding me??? And yes once again my daughter's name was called after Bear Girl, the teacher truly barely acknowledged her she was so taken by this bear.  That was the last Award Ceremony the principal allowed at that school.

  Tomorrow night will be the last Award Ceremony for my son.  It is Senior Award Night and just like in elementary they all want to hear their name called.  I just hope that there won't be any balloons, flowers or bears

   .

Many Faces of Stroke

When you hear about someone having a stroke a certain image comes to mind.  That of an older person. For many Americans for the past few years on December 31 counting down to midnight we saw stroke survivor Dick Clark.  His slurred speech and drooped mouth were consistent with what we tend to think a massive stroke survivor looks like.  His battle back from a massive stroke in 2004 was a source of Hope to many who battle the same struggles of speech and mobility.

Meet Isiah, born last September he seemed to be a perfectly healthy baby.  Within 24 hours that all changed.  Less than one day old Isaiah had a stroke.   

This cutie is Brody, he had a stroke before he was even born.  He is the survivor of an in-utero stroke.  His twin sister was born healthy. While his family celebrated his sister's reaching milestones they  watched as Brody struggled due to his lack of muscle tone, balance and coordination.  

Meet Evie.  At six months she was diagnosed with right-side hemiplegia due to in-utero stroke.  She doesn't like to be told she can't do something, according to her mom she might do it differently than others but she always gets it done.

Did you know children could have strokes?  How about developing babies having stroke in-uetro did you know that?  Stroke occurs in 1 out of every 2,800 births.  To put that in perspective that would mean that here in Clay County we are graduating 2,537 Seniors from High School in 2 weeks. Assuming they will follow the current county statistics of having three children The reality is that three children born to these seniors will suffer a stroke either in-utero or at birth.  You can read more about Isaiah, Brody, Evie and other pediatric stroke survivors on CHASA  

CHASA stands for Children's Hemiplegic and Stroke Association.  This organization helps children who have suffered an early brain injury as well as their families.  Founded in 1996 by parents of children effected with brain injury the organization has grown to become an international authority on the needs and care of children living with hemiplegic(paralysis effecting one side of the body) cerebral palsy.  Not only a support group they have sponsored international symposiums to bring together distinguished pediatric stroke researchers and neurologists to share findings and developments occurring in the field.  CHASA has three different websites where families can find support and information.  They also sponsor an annual retreat for families.  They hold various fund-raising events as well like this one:

You have gotta love the name of this one :) Very simply it is people like me raising awareness of Pediatric Stroke by blogging and having a direct donation box on their page. So if you are able please click on the donate button located at the top left of this page.

Stroke Awareness 5 Faces Pledge

Help Save Lives

Today's post is short and sweet:
Take the Five Faces Pledge today and join National Stroke Association's Faces of Stroke campaign in giving lifesaving information about stroke to five people you care about.