Early Education Graduation 2011 - Head of College's Address - Oh the Places You'll Go

One of my favourite books is one by Dr. Seuss that many of you will be familiar with called Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

Eight years ago, my wife and I received it as a gift from friends of ours when we made the decision to move away to British Columbia. We probably read this book to our kids over a hundred times and unlike some of the other books that perhaps grew a little tiring (Hop on Pop, anyone?), I always found a neat passage that resonated with me. Perhaps it was because it always made me think of our great friends who gave us the book or because living all the way across the country was always a bit of an adventure, but there was always something great to be learned from this book.

The opening pages focus on the promise of a new day and that you have the skills, knowledge, attitude and most importantly, the power to make it the best day ever:

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.

Similarly, one of the later verses celebrates unlimited potential and the fact that you are in a position to succeed:

You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed.
You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you’ll be best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

Although it may not be obvious, there is an important message here for our M9 and Grade 4 graduates. You have had a whole year where you were the leaders in your schools. You had the most experience, the most knowledge, the most maturity and the most opportunities to shine, and by all accounts you have embraced the role and done exceedingly well.

This is when good ol’ Dr. Seuss throws some cold water on us!

Except when you don’t
Because, sometimes, you won’t
I’m sorry to say so
But, sadly, it’s true
That Bang-ups
And Hang-ups
Can happen to you.

He talks about being in a Slump where out-slumping is hard.
He talks about games that you can’t win ‘cause you’ll play against you.
And he talks about being alone and that that can be a scary thing.

The good news is that he makes all that stuff okay for us (and this is where I always get goose bumps when I read it). What he tells us next is that we are prepared. We are resilient and when we are challenged, we find our best selves.

But on you will go
Though the weather be foul.
On you will go
Though your enemies prowl.
Onward up many a frightening creek,
Though your arms may get sore and
Your sneakers may leak

On and on you will hike.
And I know you’ll hike far
And face up to your problems
Whatever they are.

There is no road map of course and everyone’s experience will be different. You are all different learners with different styles, and you will all find Middle School to be a different world in a different way, and you will all figure it out at different times, so let’s turn to the Good Doctor again for some advice:

You’ll get mixed up, of course,
As you already know.
You’ll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. (I think he means Mr. Reiner)
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
And remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed)

What that success will look like for you will depend on only one person - you. I would bet that our Middle School has more opportunities than any other Middle School in the country. There will be opportunities for you to find and follow your passion no matter what it is.

Will you always achieve everything that you try for in the Middle School? No, but the success is in the trying, learning from the effort, and trying again for that opportunity or another one. It is about resiliency.

Students, we are proud of you and the progress you have made on your journey thus far. You have developed a wide range of academic skills. You have acquired a solid understanding of the world and your place in it. You have learned to work effectively with others. You have grown in self-knowledge, and you have developed your own moral compass—an innate sense of what is right and wrong.

You are meant to be here, and we are privileged to have had you as students in the Junior and Montessori Schools.

In concluding, I would like to share with you the final verse from Oh, the Places You’ll Go:

KID, YOU’LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!

So…
Be your name Rosic or Reinhart or Raffay
Or Harrington Hourigan Acierto Boucher
You’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!

Thank you, students, for a memorable year, and congratulations on your many accomplishments. Thank you, parents, for the confidence and trust you have placed in the College. Thank you, colleagues, for your dedication and commitment.