Middle School Closing Remarks

Palmer Trinity is about community---we have said this all year, and it is a hallmark of our School. Today’s Ceremony is yet another small indication of just how powerful that Community is, for you are surrounded by:

People who love you.

People who care for you.

People who want only the best for you. 

What an incredible gift, and a moment for you to remember. 

Soak it in!

We have made it a priority to be with you this morning, and for that, I say “thank you”.

Please also note the name of this ceremony---

This is simply a “Closing Exercise”.

This is NOT a Graduation. It is Not an Ending…Rather, it is a Beginning…

A step---on your greater path to development.

Of the many gifts you receive today, perhaps it is the simple remembrance that today, you are taking with you the sacred memories of your Palmer Trinity Middle School experience and with that, the relationships formed, the struggles overcome, accomplishments achieved, and ALL the good--and challenging moments...All of these things will be a part of you forever. 

Your class has completed most successfully your “Mission”, and collectively, you have left your impression upon our School, and for that, I say “thank you”.

Accordingly, as you take this important step today, I ask that you begin with “thank you”---to anyone and to everyone who has made this opportunity possible for you. Maybe it’s mom and dad. Maybe it’s a grandparent or an Aunt or Uncle. Maybe it’s a Godparent or a dear Friend of your Family. 

Whoever has supported you along your journey, I am asking that you find that individual and make sure they know just how grateful you are.  As the well-known author, Alice Walker furthers this point: 

Thank you is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility, understanding.

So, please take a moment in the coming weeks and write a note of thanks, or even better, tell those folks who have supported you just how much you appreciate them and love them.

And while I’m speaking of gratitude, let me also say “thank you” to everyone gathered in this room---to all of your Parents, and for those whom we partner with on a daily basis…

I’d like to especially say “Thank you” to Mr. Tolmach, and our amazing Middle School Faculty and Staff---I am most grateful for the hard work and leadership of your teachers, especially in this most unique “Year of Covid”.

Secondly, let me remind you that: 

There are 86,400 seconds in a day…

How do you plan to use those wonderful gifts of time?

Certainly, you will rest and relax this Summer, as you should. Finding a moment of solitude to disconnect,  or “sleeping in” will be important and vital…You’ve certainly earned that right, and I sincerely hope you will enjoy those moments of well-earned repose.

However, I’d also like to encourage you to utilize some of those precious seconds to “challenge” yourself...To fully immerse yourself into something that will require you to keep alert and active, in whatever way you can.

Maybe it’s a new project or something that has been on your “To Do” List for some time…Whatever the case may be, I sincerely hope you’ll be persistent, and take time this summer to test yourself! 

As a legendary filmmaker, George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars and Indiana Jones, recounts,

“When I was in film school, the big issue was ‘When are we going to get to make a movie?’

They gave us 32 feet of 16mm film which was exactly 1 minute of film...I turned it into a 1 minute movie.

If somebody gave me 100 feet of film, I made a movie out of it...And the other kids basically didn’t. They had the same 100 feet of film. They had the same camera. And they just said, “When I am going to get to make a movie?’...

And I just kept making them.”

Challenge yourself to experience something that you might not initially feel comfortable trying…

Maybe it’s as simple as tackling a tough read that you have been putting off…

Maybe it’s learning to play a new instrument…

Maybe it’s the creation of new art, or an engineering project you’ve been waiting to start...

Maybe it’s signing up for an activity at camp, or reaching out to that new camper who looks a little lost…

Maybe it’s mending an old wound by simply apologizing---saying “I’m sorry”---which, as we all know, is often one of the hardest things to do...

Maybe it’s reconnecting with an old friend or family member…

Maybe it’s as simple as making a Short List of Goals to achieve during these next two and a half months, and “sticking” to them--truly giving it your best...

Whatever you choose, remember that real progress and development occur when you are being truly challenged, and might feel a bit uncomfortable at times.

“Stretching” your brain--your heart--or, even your soul---can be a bit painful, but, in the end, it will lead to amazing results…

True growth only occurs during this process…

As noted author Harriet Beecher so eloquently claims:

“An acorn is not an oak tree when it is sprouted. It must go through long summers and fierce winters; it has to endure all that frost and snow and side-striking winds can bring before it is a full-grown oak. These are rough teachers...but rugged schoolmasters make rugged pupils…”

Accordingly, I am confident that each of you is well on your way to finding “success” in your respective areas of interest. 

I--along with your teachers, your parents, your mentors---will continue to “push” you to hone those weaknesses; to smooth out those rough spots in your areas of challenge; and, most importantly, we’ll encourage you to “stay in the struggle” and be willing to try new things. 

Congratulations again, Middle School Falcons, to each of you today for completing the “first leg” of this exciting journey, and to each of you for an outstanding year.

As you continue on your journey, as you grow and develop, please do remember to be Grateful---to be persistent and willing to “stretch”.

All the best for a most relaxing, restful, enjoyable---and---dare I say, challenging---Summer Break!