I have been thinking quite a bit about this newsletter in the hopes that I could leave you with a few parting words as you finish your tenure at Sam Barlow High School. Even though I have been a part of 25 graduating classes, crafting a message never gets any easier. So here it goes……

Over the past 28 years I have attended 25 high school graduations. Not because I have had to, but because I have always wanted to. It is what I work for as a professional. To see students smile, take their diploma, and walk off stage in front of friends and family is an awesome experience to be a part of. On a personal level, I measure my success as a professional based on the number of students who graduate. I feel both a sense of pride and accomplishment knowing that the students I have worked with have completed their mission and will have earned something that no one can ever take away. I also reflect on what I can do better to improve our school programming so more students can join their classmates at graduation. Your success and experience means that much to me and I can’t wait to share this with you on June 15th.

To leave you with a parting thought, I want you to consider the following. For the past four years you have heard the phrase “Bruin PRIDE”. This may have been as the member of a team, in a classroom, or during an assembly. Regardless, you have heard this phrase multiple times as a student at Barlow. I encourage you to think about how the PRIDE concept applies to life as you move beyond Barlow. Trust me, it is not just a cute little acronym. First and foremost, always lead your life with Purpose. Be focused, chase your dreams; be purposeful by setting a goal and going for it. Always Respect yourself and others. Understand that there are three things all people want in life. They want to be known by name, they want to be valued, and they want to be respected for who they are, not for what they may become. Knowing this now will help you become the type of person others want to be around. Be an individual of Integrity by saying what you mean and doing what you say regardless of who is watching. Show Determination in all you do. Life is not a spectator sport and those that are determined in all aspects of their lives will always be successful. Finally, strive for Excellence not perfection. Perfection is simply a snapshot in time, while excellence is a way of life. Bruin PRIDE is more than a tagline; it is an outline for five key skills that all successful people exhibit.

Each and every one of you has the power to actualize your dreams and make this world a better place for all. It is up to you to make that happen. I wish you the very best in your future, and Go Bruins!