Graduation Day—It's Not just for High School Seniors

As I sat on stage at the Chaifetz Arena stage last week, I had the distinct honor of seeing the Lindbergh High School’s class of 2011 make the big leap into adulthood. Of course, it was also time for me to reminisce about my “good ol’ days.”

Not that high school was necessarily a great time for me socially—academically, yes. I was at the top of my game and earned the coveted International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. Socially, not so much.

It was great to see the young graduates as they approached the stage. I sat on the side where the young women were waiting their turn. They all looked similar in their gold caps and gowns, each one with the same look of nervous energy and realization of what was happening to them. The main difference was their personalities that showed through in their choice of cute three, four and five-inch heeled shoes (and I thought I was brave).

As a newly elected Board of Education member, I was especially proud to witness the ceremony, to hear about all the scholarships received, and to see the band and choir members captivate the crowd. I felt a new responsibility and renewal for wanting Lindbergh Schools to succeed, and the realization that now I have an opportunity to truly contribute to our future success.

The two class leader speeches reached out to the crowd in typical, futuristic graduation fashion. We were told not to waste time, live up to our potential and reach for the stars. Every face in the green and gold crowd was transfixed.

I suddenly realized that no matter what our age or season of life, we should all “graduate” from time to time. As adults, we all face challenges in life. Many such challenges seem insurmountable; if only we could be infused with some of the graduation energy I found last week. Such hope, naïveté and bliss can be helpful at different stages of our life.

So I am glad that none of the older family members shouted out “just wait until you get a mortgage” or “thank goodness you’re moving out of my house now.” Such harsh reality would have gotten in the way of the pride and honor parents and family members showed that night. There will be plenty of time for such reality later.

To paraphrase one of the graduation speakers that night, we can carpe all the diems we want in life, but it's how and when we choose to do it that makes the difference. It felt good to be reminded.