April 2004 1 Probably Never See Any of Them Again
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
- Non 469 4 12/2099 1 Profit Org. US P DAN DIEF'HOUSE ostage Paid TRINITY CHRISTIAN COLLEGE �*�6swH������ErER60463-1768 . Pennit 657 �- = It llssllulllsslsllussll usslllsssl sllul,,l,llullnlllssl,l 3 t (t) � �� (.;.) � z 0 .� 8 � > � "'0 -� ....>-I � � - N 0 � lj 0 � ::r � �. ....,._. V'J f""t ....,._. � � 0 V'J ��[;s ��� �� � 0 � � 0�� e:.� Editorial Integrity and Love Permit me to utter some random Not all graduation or retirement thoughts on valedictory addresses. You will at ceremonies are noble or honest events. find other writings dealing with these Closing Ceremonies Sometimes we rely on flowery language matters in this issue. to cover up some much-needed honesty Valedictory addresses are goodbye speeches. As such, any about the school, the students or the teachers. But, then, at an farewell oration, like a funeral oration or a speech for a retiring unexpected moment, the sun of truth shines through. Consider teacher, can be considered a valedictory address. Of course, most the valedictory speech given by an Ontario student a year ago at of us restrict the usage of this term to graduation speeches, his high school's graduation ceremony. particularly the ones given by student valedictorians. Andrew Ironside had been selected by his peers to be that But at the same time that we speak of saying farewell at year's valedictorian. It wasn't that Andrew had been a popular graduation exercises, we call them commencement exercises figure. (Actually, he was considered a bit of a nerd because he because graduations are the beginning of a new phase of life. But and his friends spent more time in the science lab and the library then, funeral services are also commencements, as are retirement than on the sports field or the social circuit.) No, his peers had dinners. Salvation Army people refer to the passing away of a chosen him so they could make him the butt of a practical joke. Christian soldier as a promotion to glory. Properly speaking, any Certain students wanted to embarrass him, and others went along change in the life of a Christian should be a forward-looking for the ride. They didn't think he would go through with it. affair. ''A lot of people in our grade, the grade that selected me, do In the context of education, the end of a school year is a time not know my name," wrote Andrew in a note which the principal of forward-looking events that mark both an end and a beginning. got hold of. "I am not the most popular person, not even close. I It is a time usually marked by graduation ceremonies and, am not on the sports teams. I am not on Student Council. If I can sometimes, retirement celebrations. They are both closing events, be elected, anything is possible." The principal, who had heard though of a nature very different from each other. A graduation disturbing rumors that the valedictorian that year had been chosen comes at the beginning of a career or additional studies; as a joke, called Andrew into his office days before the ceremony retirement, at the end. Retirement is exactly what it says it is: a and asked if he was going to make a mockery of the whole thing. withdrawal from the work-a-day world with all its opportunities He wanted to make sure Andrew understood the responsibility and monetary rewards. There is a certain amount of freedom in, of representing the graduating students well. They discussed the that, but it's also a mark of being sidelined, or, as some put it content of the speech Andrew was to give. crudely, put out to pasture. Some rage against dispensability; others embrace the escape from scrutiny and external expectations. Moment of truth It never ceases to amaze me how many younger workers are Come the evening of the graduation ceremony, Andrew was envious of those who retire. What's so exciting about going introduced by a young man he had chosen himself- a popular downhill unless you're a snowboarder? athlete in his class. "I'm pretty happy to say I've spent time with almost all of you," said the good-looking young man. "Sadly to Flowery language say, Andrew is not really included in this group of people. The Now, graduations are something else. They are full of hope truth is, I barely know him." He then continued to explain that and promise. Here row upon row of fresh-looking faces beam Andrew "was probably the most unlikely person to be nominated, confidence and celebration. Nice words are being said, and a let alone actually win." Everyone laughed at what one teacher formal diploma is handed out with much pomp and circumstance. described as a "malicious introduction." Sometimes funny things are said to break the pomp. A certain Then it was Andrew's turn. He said a few complimentary words Gary Bolding once told a group of graduates: "Your families are about the school, but he had difficulty reading his paper. Suddenly extremely proud of you. You can't imagine the sense of relief he crumpled his prepared speech and let go of his true feelings. they are experiencing. This would be a most opportune time to ''A lot of you were jerks," he informed his classmates. He ask for money." According to Theodore Roosevelt, ''Aman who explained that at first he thought it was funny he had been chosen, has never gone to school may steal from a freight car; but if he but it was impossible for him to pretend that high school "had has a university education, he may steal the whole railroad." been an endless stream of fond memories." He said that it was (News stories about Enron, Parmalat et al make that declaration "the cliques and the negative attitudes of his classmates that would sound prophetic.) define their legacy." He concluded by saying that he would Christian Educators Journal April 2004 1 probably never see any of them again. certainly strive for, also at graduation ceremonies and retirement In the eyes of the principal, it had not been a true valedictory events. These events may not necessarily be the best forum for address, but it had been "personally cathartic for Mr. Ironside." finding fault with a school or the people in it, but they should When members of his staff afterwards asked him to change the not be turned into public relations events either. A bit of truth way a valedictorian is chosen, the principal, much to his credit, serum goes a long way to bring integrity to our celebrations. refused. Valedictorians must represent the persona of students, Of course, it's better to make sure that the school experience not the teachers, he commented. is a positive one for both students and teachers. The challenge It is doubtful that Andrew's former classmates will ever forget for Christian schools is to create positive learning environments, their graduation. It is to be hoped that some of them will, upon places where teachers and students give and receive respect. That reflection, feel shame and regret. If the "cathartic" speech way a valedictory address given to a departing teacher or to a accomplished that much, it exceeds many valedictorian addresses class of graduates can be an honest appreciation of how God in usefulness. works truth and love into the lives of all. Most commencement addresses are rather boring and No sedatives, please! predictable, eliciting the comment from cartoon writer Garry Speaking the truth in love is something we Christians should Tr udeau that "commencement speeches were invented largely in the belief that college students should never be released into the world until they have been properly sedated." I once jokingly suggested to a group that they could safely shake the hands of a Note to Our Advertisers celebrant and mutter some thing like "My mother passed away." Nobody would notice. What Gary Tr udeau suggested, however, cannot be said of the Please make sure that all camera-ready ads commencement address given by Roy Berkenbosch to a graduating are e-mailed as PDF files to the editor class at Edmonton Christian High School in Edmonton, Alberta, before the following due dates: last year June (please see p. 12 of this issue). I doubt that any of the students and the parents felt they had been sedated. According to Berkenbosch, "the best things you learned weren't written in October Issue- August 15 books,/ As if life was a recipe and you were just cooks. I No, the December Issue- October 15 best lessons learned were more subtle and lasting,/ About living February Issue- December 15 and loving, not failing and passing." April Issue.- February 15 With that advice ringing in our ears we say "Vale" to all the departing students and teachers. God go with you! Bert Witvoet Christian Educators Journal Board of Trustees: Published four rimes a year: Calvin College Dordt College October, December, February, April Ron Sjoerdsma (chairperson) Lorna Van Gilst Jim Rooks Institute for Christian Studies Reprint Policy: Trinity Christian College Harry Fernhout We allow free reprinting or photocopying of Dan Diephouse (secretary) The King's University College individual articles that have appeared in our Christiau Educators Association Robert Bruinsma journal, as long as the copied articles are used William Boerrnan·Cornell Ontario Christian Teachers Association within the context of schooling and the source is acknowledged. Lois De Vries May Drost Rebecca Furlong Redeemer University College Managing Editor: Bert Witvoet Judy Henson Dirk Windhorst Design Editor: Doug Roorda Barbara Hoekema Christian Teachers Association British Columbia Manuscript Editor: Nelly Westerhoff Lois Smits Denver Christian School Association Production Editor: Alice R.