Middle School Awards Ceremony - May 2023

As we enter the Assessment period and put the finishing touches on the year here at Palmer Trinity, I commend all of you for your dedicated efforts, your commitment to excellence, and your completion of what has been an outstanding year. 

Pause, stop, take a moment to look around you today…You are surrounded by people who care about you. People who love you. People who are proud of you. 

And while we are all certainly proud of your achievements--as you should be as well--I would like to take a moment to share with you what I believe to be a few of the “key ingredients” for success, at any activity, at any level. 

While there are certainly many formulas for success, I believe, first,  that attitude is one of those “key ingredients”.  You choose your attitude every day, plain and simple. Your outlook can be either positive or negative…Choose to be Positive.

Take that positive attitude of yours, and stick with it, no matter the consequences or the situation. As we are reminded, by noted entrepreneur, Natalie Massenet, 

Positivity is like a muscle: Keep exercising it, and it becomes a habit.

 

Don’t let things get you down…Remember, Choose to be Positive.

A second ingredient for success is perseverance…hard work…persistence…As Benjamin Franklin, notes, 

Energy and persistence conquer all things.

As you know by now, things don’t always go our way…How we respond to those challenges is critical, and will ultimately pay dividends…In fact, I would argue, that’s where the opportunity for real accomplishment lies. For it is in those valleys---those downard moments in which we are truly tested.

Those times in which an easy answer is NOT an option and a straightforward route is NOT possible...Moments “in the crucible”...Those are the times in which we learn, grow, and evolve. 

Each of you has experienced those moments in your time here…Think about the challenges you faced, and some of those defeats you may have overcome—the losses you have “rebounded from”; the pain experienced in failure; the tough lesson learned from something that didn’t go as you planned or hoped for…Be persistent—keep going! As legendary Jazz performer, Miles Davis encourages us, 

When you hit a wrong note, it’s the next note that makes it good or bad.

 

Stick with it…Keep playing, and go for it! 

Your attitude, and your approach, are completely up to you. Use both to your fullest advantage.

Finally, let me encourage each of you to take time this summer to “stretch” yourself—try something new. Force yourself to think in new ways, and to try new things! Test yourself! 

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 signing up for a new activity at camp…

Maybe it’s simply finding time to disconnect---putting away the mobile device and shutting off Social Media for a few hours, or even better, a few days…

Maybe it’s as simple as spending a few extra minutes each day on that Math Summer Packet…

Whatever the case may be, find something that forces you to think, stretches your mind, and grow, for, as Edna Ferber, noted playwright and novelist claims,

A closed mind is a dying mind.

Please remember today also to say “thank you”. 

As I mentioned earlier, you are supported and loved, and you have an entire community behind you.

Don’t forget to let the people who have helped you know just how much you appreciate their support. You can never say “thank you” enough!

And while I’m speaking of gratitude, let me say “thank you” especially to our amazing Middle School Faculty and Staff.

I am very grateful to all of you–and to you…And, Mr. Tolmach, and Mrs. Schael, Rev. Cassini—for all your leadership this year.

Thank you, as well, to all of our parents—your caretakers—those who have made Palmer Trinity a possibility, and who are always working hard to help you in so many ways…

Congratulations again, Middle School Falcons, to each of you for a great year, and as you continue on your journey; as you grow and develop.

And, remember---Be Positive, Be Persistent, and Be willing to “stretch”!