Wagner's 2011 Graduation Address: The Thomas Jefferson School: Concepcion, Chile

The Thomas Jefferson School

Graduation Remarks 
Class of 2011

Saludos, los estudiantes, profesores, padres, parientes, e invitados.  Es mi gran honor estar en la graduación de la clase de 2011 la Thomas Jefferson School.

To the 22 students in the senior class, it is a great personal honor to be invited to share this evening with you.  On behalf of the students, teachers, and families of The Miami Valley School in Dayton, Ohio, I bring congratulations on your accomplishments in graduating from The Thomas Jefferson School.

There is something very special about a graduations that brings to mind advice and words of wisdom.  When we contemplate transitional moments, such as this graduation, we often focus on the past (our beginnings, from where we have come; your accomplishments as students at one of Chile’s best schools) or the future (our expectations, where we are headed; your preparedness for college and future careers).  Strangely, we often overlook the present, (the right here and now, this moment, this instant) which is, in truth, perhaps the most accurate reflection of who we are and where we are heading.

I stand before you as high school principal, English teacher, honored guest, and most importantly, as parent of two children, including Jackson, who is a senior at MVS.  Graduates, you must understand, it is not so much that us “so-called adults” can offer guaranteed volumes of wisdom in the advice that we generously bestow upon you.  In truth, we are jealous of your relative places in time, are envious of the vast potential that extends out before you.  Your perspective, in graduating and setting out, is certainly as valuable as ours, in reflecting and looking back.

So in honor of this moment, let’s slow down, stop the clocks, suspend time for just an instant, for right now, to celebrate the present, this moment; your graduation from TJS.

Seniors, look to the person on your left; look to the person on your right.  Soak in the positive support of your classmates. Savor the relationships, friendly encouragement, and experiences you have shared with this remarkable Class of 2011.  As much as college, careers, and life after TJS is destined to foster new relationships, forget not the fellowship and bonds that unite your class.

Now close your eyes for a moment; recall your “all-time most challenging or worst-moment” in high school.  OK?  Nod if you have a clear image.  Now, take a deep breath; fill your lungs, and smile.  Remember how you made it through; who provided the stable shoulder of support and hopeful words of encouragement.  Recall what you have learned leading up to this moment, today; how you will be better prepared should a similar situation arise in the future.  Delight in the friendships and shared experiences that have gotten you to where you are now, today, in this present moment.

Think now of the younger students, those who have looked up to you as role models, observed your examples of what it means to succeed at TJS.  You have proven to be excellent students, have scored well on your PSU and National SIMCE tests.  You have also worked together on community service projects, like “Un Techo por Chile,” showing your commitment to helping others.  As a class, your teachers mention the qualities of respect, honesty, commitment, and good humor in describing you, very important traits to model for the younger students of your beloved TJS.  This is your legacy; the reputation you have built leading up to this moment.

Now look out at the faces of the faculty, your teachers, those from the lower, middle, and upper schools.  Realize that “teaching” is indeed a two-way street; they have benefited from your wisdom, as they hope you have from theirs.  Understand that a diploma is not a “good-bye,” but rather a “hope to see you soon.”  Remember to return and visit.  TJS is missing you already, waiting expectantly to hear the news of your future successes.  They look forward to hearing, first-hand from you, up-dates during your journey.

Now look out into the audience; make eye-contact with your parents and siblings, family and friends.  Give them a wink or a wave; acknowledge the love and support that binds you together.  Know that they too are juggling a mixture of emotions: great pride, yet profound nervousness at what this transition means.  While they unconditionally hope for your future success, they also are not fully ready to see you leave.  Help us today to better understand how to provide the best support for you in the future; so in setting out, we also keep you close.

Now return to you, today, this hour, this moment; your graduation.  Take time to have fun, to savor what you have accomplished, to dream about and plan for the exciting future still ahead of you.  Take risks, challenge yourselves, listen to your reliable “gut instinct;” know that our future is in your hands.

Remember from where you have come: don’t forget the support that contributed to your success; likely it is available still, should you need it again.  In the present, keep a clear view of where you are going; consider that there are more than one path to arrive at your destination safely and successfully.

At the Miami Valley School, I begin each school year by reading a poetry section from Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet.  With your permission, I would like to read a selection by renowned Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, specifically his poem: “Oda al Presente.”  With respect to Mr. Neruda, I will attempt to read the final section of his poem en Español.  While my Spanish is certainly not as strong as your English, please know that even if my pronunciation is questionable, my goal in honoring you, here on this day, is sincere.

  

Este                                        This
presente                                moment
liso                                          as smooth
como una tabla,                   as a board,
fresco,                                     and fresh,
esta hora,                               this hour,
este día                                   this day
limpio                                      as clean 
como una copa nueva          as an untouched glass
—del pasado                          -- not a single
no hay una                            spiderweb
telaraña—,                            from the past:
tocamos                                 we touch
con los dedos                        with our fingers
el presente,                           the moment,
cortamos                                 we cut it
su medida,                             to size,
dirigimos                                we direct
su brote,                                  its blooming.
está viviente,                         It’s living,
vivo,                                         it’s alive:
nada tiene                               it brings nothing
de ayer irremediable,           from yesterday that can’t be 
                                                        redeemed,

de pasado perdido,                 nothing from the lost past.
es nuestra                               This is our
criatura,                                   creation,
está creciendo                         it’s growing
en este                                      this very
momento, está llevando        instant, kicking up
arena, está comiendo            sand or eating
en nuestras manos,               out of our hands.
cógelo,                                      Catch it,
que no resbale,                       don’t let it slip away!
que no se pierda en                Keep it from vanishing into 

         sueños                                      dreams
ni palabras,                             or words!
agárralo,                                  Grab it,
sujétalo                                    pin it down,
y ordénalo                               and make it
hasta que te obedezca,         obey!
hazlo camino,                         Make it a road
campana,                                or a bell,
máquina,                                a machine,
beso, libro,                              a kiss, a book,
caricia,                                     or a caress.
corta su deliciosa                  Slice into its sweet
fragancia de madera            scent of wood,
y de ella                                  and from it
hazte una silla,                     make yourself a chair,
trenza                                     then weave yourself
su respaldo,                           a seat.
pruébala,                               Try it out--
o bien                                     or, better,
escalera!                                try a ladder!

Si,                                            Yes,
escalera,                                 a ladder,
sube                                         rise
en el presente,                       out of the moment
peldaño                                   step
tras peldaño,                          by step,
firmes                                      feet firmly
los pies en la madera           planted on the wood
del presente,                          of the moment.
hacia arriba,                          Up and
hacia arriba,                          up
no muy alto,                           not too much--
tan sólo                                   just high
hasta que puedas                  enough to
reparar                                    patch
las goteras                              the holes
del techo,                                in the roof.
no muy alto,                          Not too far;
no te vayas al                       you don’t want to reach 

 cielo,                                       heaven.
alcanza                                   Climb up
las manzanas,                       to the apples
no las nubes,                         but not as far as the clouds
ésas                                          (let
déjalas                                     them
ir por el cielo, irse                  cruise the sky, drifting
hacia el pasado.                     towards the past).

Tú                                            You
eres                                          are
tu presente,                           your own moment,
tu manzana:                         your own apple:
tómala                                    pluck it
de tu árbol,                            from your apple tree,
levántala                               hold it up           
en tu                                       in your
mano,                                     hand:
brilla                                      it shines
como una estrella,               like a star.
tócala,                                    Stroke it,
híncale el diente                  sink your teeth into it,

       y ándate                                now off you go
silbando en el camino.        whistling on your way.

Gracias.




Samuel Wagner, V

Upper School Principal

The Miami Valley School

2011 Graduation for The Thomas Jefferson School

Concepcion, Chile   Friday, 18 November, 2011