To the Class of 2011
by Ashley Mondale, English Teacher
May 24 , 2011
When my sister and I were in high school, my mom would always say one phrase to us before we left the house: “Make me proud.” It was just three little words, but I remember blowing them off as I ran out of the house to go do whatever it was that I had planned. I knew what she meant by this phrase; I needed to be aware of my decisions and not do anything that would disappoint her.
But when I was 17, I didn’t always listen. In the 11 years that have passed since I graduated high school, I have come to realize the weight of these words, and I have come to use this phrase as a way to measure my decisions. Sure, I slipped up and made some bad choices over the years, but in even my failures I have tried to make my mom proud of me and at the end of the day, I hope she is.
In a very short amount of time, you will leave this place for the very last time. You will go out into the world armed with very little. In my favorite novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Jem Finch compares his life in Maycomb, Alabama, to living in a cocoon. The same can be said for you growing up in Leechburg. Most of you have been together since birth, pre-school, kindergarten, forever. You know each other’s little quirks and habits and you’ve accepted them. But now in the wide world those little things will be exposed. Yes, it’s scary, but you’re ready. You are butterflies waking up, ready to fly. And during that flight you will be forced to make decisions, so I am asking you to make me proud.
Now I don’t just mean me personally; I mean the entire faculty and staff of the Leechburg Area School District. Over the past 13 years, we have shed plenty of blood, sweat and tears over you (mostly figuratively, but at times literally). We fought hard battles for you. Many decisions we make during every minute of the day are in attempt to give you the best possible education. I know there were times when I wanted to give up, like most days during my eighth period class when you were in 10th grade. That was class was hands down the most trying thing I have ever experienced in my whole life, but I never gave up because as I much as I want to be proud of you, I want you to proud of me. And I have a feeling that your other teachers feel this way as well.
In some way, each of you has brought pride to us over the years. Perhaps it was finally playing that section of music correctly or making that outside jumper or remembering to limit your “be” verbs or finishing that Senior Project even at the deadline, but regardless of what it was, you made someone here proud. And when you walk across the stage on June 2, as Dr. Portman announces your name, everyone in that auditorium will be proud of you.
The years after high school can be treacherous, but your teachers have taught you well. We have done our best to prepare you for what lies ahead. I’m foolish to think that you will remember everything, but I want you to remember the important things. Remember the work ethic, the perseverance, the time it took to learn all that we taught you. If you remember those ideals, you can accomplish great things. You will make us proud.
So get out there, Class of 2011, and make your dreams a reality. And remember, wherever you go there will be people here in Leechburg who are rooting for you, so make us proud.
Sincerely,
Ashley Mondale, English Teacher and Senior Class Co-Adviser
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