Schmidt’s Letter to Seniors
https://www.gresham.k12.or.us/domain/1590
Bruce Schmidt, Barlow’s Principal, shares a final message with the class of 2023.
June 2, 2023
Dear Class of 2023,
Sitting down to write an open letter to the Class of 2023 is somewhat of a daunting
task. Do I get sentimental, humorous, cliché, what direction should this letter take?
Well, I hope to leave you with some parting words that will resonate with you as you
leave the halls of Sam Barlow.
A little over a month ago I stood before you all and tried to explain the importance of
finishing strong, making good choices, and following through with the task at hand.
That is a pretty standard message for a principal at the end of the school year.
However, I want you all to truly understand how much graduation means to me both
personally and professionally. Over the past 30 years I have attended 27 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 13 th.
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!
Sitting down to write an open letter to the Class of 2023 is somewhat of a daunting
task. Do I get sentimental, humorous, cliché, what direction should this letter take?
Well, I hope to leave you with some parting words that will resonate with you as you
leave the halls of Sam Barlow.
A little over a month ago I stood before you all and tried to explain the importance of
finishing strong, making good choices, and following through with the task at hand.
That is a pretty standard message for a principal at the end of the school year.
However, I want you all to truly understand how much graduation means to me both
personally and professionally. Over the past 30 years I have attended 27 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 13 th.
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!
