Graduation wisdom comes from Dr. Seuss

It is that time of year when the sounds of “Pomp and Circumstance” fill our educational institutions’ fields and halls. Proud families will be gathered to cheer and rejoice in their child’s passage to adulthood. For those who have had a successful school experience, the hard work and long study hours has paid off.
As a teacher, this time of year is a celebration of successes and a time for reflection on the year’s joys and challenges. This graduation season marks a passage of time and a promise of new beginnings for those who have earned their diplomas.  
Congratulations and a job well done to Morgan Hill Unified School District’s graduates of Live Oak, Sobrato and Central High Schools. As Dr. Seuss proclaimed so well, “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 one who’ll decide where to go.” And congratulations to all of those teachers, support staff, administrators and parent volunteers who helped you on the path to this accomplishment.  
In this time of celebration, I offer this challenge to our graduates coupled with Dr. Seuss’ words of wisdom. Find and acknowledge someone – a teacher, a coach, an administrator, a relative, a friend – who helped you achieve your goals. Seek them out and tell them what their support meant to you and your educational endeavor.
I am always inspired when former students seek me out through a graduation invitation or send me a message telling me of their accomplishment.
I love hearing about their life and what they are doing with it. I know my colleagues feel the same way. Reach out to that special person who was an integral mentor in your life. In a “pay-it-forward” manner, try to be that supportive person for someone else.
Give back to your community by volunteering and offering community service at church, school, through sports, organizations or in our government.
Your knowledge can benefit others in need. Get involved in your community. Many community members have made your education possible.
As you become alumni of your high school, it is time to think about giving back what you can. “You’ll miss the best things if you keep your eyes shut.” Dr. Seuss reminds us to open your eyes to new opportunities and try to make your home a better place.
When you walk across that stage and begin on your next journey, don’t ever stop learning. Some of the graduates will pursue college and perhaps advanced degrees. Some of the graduates will join the military. And some will seek a position in the job market or begin a family.
Whatever your future plans, continue to learn, continue to seek out new experiences and opportunities.  Hopefully, you are leaving your time in Morgan Hill with the gift of learning for “it is better to know how to learn than to know.”
Your education here should have inspired you to continue to learn and succeed in whatever endeavor you choose. You should always be eager to expand your mind and broaden your horizons.  
For those students who will not be graduating this year with their class, I encourage you to not give up. Although you are disappointed and probably feel like a failure, you can succeed.
Continue your education and stay with it until you earn that diploma. It will be worth it. Sometimes the greatest success comes with the most difficulty. Dr. Seuss offers this, “Oh the things you can find if you don’t stay behind.” Stick with it and you will be joining the celebration.
Celebrate, rejoice, revel and cheer! Morgan Hill’s graduates have earned the right to merriment and praise.
You’ve done it! Now go and make a difference in your community and your life.
Take the words of Dr. Seuss with you, “Today is your day. Your mountain is waiting so set on your way.”
Margaret Rodrigues is now a retired teacher of the Morgan Hill Unified School District after 37 years of service.  She was the former Vice President of the
Morgan Hill Federation of Teachers and a former Board Member of the California Association for Gifted
Education.  Presently, she is the Teaching American
History Grant Program Facilitator providing in-service training to teachers in four districts that are a part of this grant.