2 minute read
FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
The following is an excerpt from the 2021 end-of-year award ceremony given to students in-person and parents virtually.
I’d like to acknowledge this, our 45th year, by saying a few words to the students here who will help us create the next 45 years in pursuit of our vision of a civilization based in reason.
Mr. Hubbard once wrote that:
You are receiving an education designed not only to impart data, but also to preserve and foster self-determinism in each and every one of you.
A civilization based in reason is a grand vision for a little school on a hill, but civilizations rise and fall on the accomplishments of individuals.
Individuals like you.
It has been said that it’s not what you know that’s important, it’s what you DO with what you know that counts.
I agree, and I think you do, too.
And so, our purpose goes beyond just self-determined, independent thinking. It includes the expectation that you DO, that you make changes for the better in the world around you, whether large or small.
Doing, of course, takes determination. You have it. Doing something efficiently takes self-determinism. You have that, too.
Because of you, we are optimistic that the next 45 years will be brighter than the last.
Now I want to talk briefly to the parents before moving on to the main portion of the Awards Ceremony, which acknowledges accomplishments the school’s staff and faculty were able to see throughout this unusual year.
Parents, I’d like you to consider for a moment the countless other accomplishments that we may not have seen.
Our students’ biggest accomplishments are often the subjective changes they experience as individuals here on a daily basis. There are countless examples of Delphian students making significant impacts because of who they are as individuals, empowered and capable of applying their education toward the solution of problems related to survival.
But gaining that ability doesn’t usually happen with a banner to indicate the moment it has arrived. It happens gradually over time and can go unnoticed by staff, faculty, and students alike, until, in looking back at where we started and reflecting on where we’ve finally arrived, we can suddenly see the magnitude of change.
It can be tough to see the forest when standing amidst the trees.
I heard one graduate last week say she hadn’t been home in 17 months... and yet we saw her and interacted with her nearly every day for that same period of time.
On the flip side, there are students that have been home learning remotely for an entire year.
While these may be extreme cases, some version of this is true for the majority of our students.
For many of you watching this, it has been months since you’ve seen your sons and daughters. With that distance comes perspective and the possibility of a forest view.
We will acknowledge what we can here today. But I look forward to your sons and daughters returning home and to you seeing and acknowledging all they have accomplished.
For the full recording of the 2021 award and commencement ceremonies, use this link: https://youtu.be/ShyANKRvDoI
