Seniors: Lead, Finish!

Note: This is the talk to the senior class of St. Michael on October 21, 2019

This humorous video actually says a lot about leadership. When the first guy starts dancing, he looks like a nut job, subject to ridicule. No doubt being the first to do something is important, but I believe the most important person in the video is the second guy to join in.  He’s the one who assures everyone watching that the first guy isn’t an idiot to be laughed at, but instead, to be imitated. He’s the guy that now sends a “trend, ” and through his example, makes it easier for the rest to join in. Pretty soon, everyone’s dancing. 

No doubt, seniors, you grew tired of hearing all throughout your careers at St. Michael that last year’s seniors were “first.” Yes, they were. And yes, you are correct to respond that YOU are the first “four year” class to graduate from St. Michael, the first to enroll as freshman and graduate as seniors. On May 14, 2020, your graduation night, I will emphasize this point.  You will always have an important place in the history of this school! 

But this morning, I want you to consider this proposition: Your senior year will have enormous impact on the history of this school and what we’ll become, precisely because you’re the second class. 

Like the 2nd guy in the video, you will determine if the first class is an outlier, the dancing idiot in the park, or whether St. Michael truly becomes what it wants to be. The underclassmen are watching you, waiting—to see if they’ll join in, too, or just make fun of the first guy. 

A mentor of mine once said that it takes about 3 minutes of walking into a new high school to evaluate it, because the fundamental question is simple: Is it an “adult” culture, or a “adolescent” culture? Are there standards of conduct around the building—language, dress, relationships, respectful interactions between students with students, students with teachers, litter—that reflect a decorum that is indicative of adult behavior, or do the standards suggest the opposite? 

The answer to that question usually depends on the senior class and what it will or won't allow of the underclassmen. Here’s a fact I don't like to point out too often:  You have us out-numbered! Counting all the adults who work here, faculty and staff, there are 38 of us and 321 of you! That means it’s impossible for the adults alone to “set” a culture here. It depends on you, the seniors, mostly through your example.  

Underclassmen are often “monkey see, monkey do.” If you are doing it, it’s OK. If you cheat, by your example, you tell the underclassmen it’s OK to cheat. If you routinely violate the school’s cell phone policy, then underclassmen will follow. If you skirt the dress code, or speak poorly of your teachers or classmates, or curse, or leave trash around the cafeteria or courtyard, so too will they. They’re watching you closely, even though they’d wouldn't admit to doing so.  You create the culture here. You really do! 

So first off, I want to thank you for your leadership that you’re ALREADY shown here this year. I’ve been impressed with you. You guys really HAVE picked up the mantel and become an example for underclassmen. But this morning, as we begin the second quarter, I want to encourage you to continue doing that, and to ask you to avoid FOUR trends that I often see develop in seniors as they move through the year. 

• The first is a kind of selfishness--it's all about me.  You may see this from time to time in your classmates, and you’ll see it often in college next year. It’s easy for school to become “all about me”: my grades, my test scores, my applications, my friends, my classes. We put on narrow blinders and can't take in the panoramic view to includes others, or recognize classmates having a bad day, or notice the underclassman who needs a comforting word. Do you know how powerful you are? Do you know what effect you can have on younger students, simply noticing they are sad or unhappy, and asking them if they’re  is OK? They will likely remember that kindness the rest of their lives!  Reach beyond yourself.  That’s how we become joyful and happy—by giving. Don’t fall into the temptation to become selfish in your senior year. 

• Gnosticism”—OK, let me revert back to my theological training to explain. Gnosticism is one of the most persistent heresies in the Christian Church, dating back to the first century. You can detect its influence through out history in a lot of the behavior of politicians, kings, and other people in power, and yes, in seniors in high school!  Gnostics believe it is the KNOWLEDGE of the truth that is most important—that knowledge, not our deeds, “save” us. So rules of behavior, a moral code—that’s for the ignorant masses (the uneducated, the peasants, the underclassmen)—not for we who are enlightened. In seniors, there’s a strong temptation to start believing that school rules really only apply to underclassmen, that "yes, we understand that the school has to have rules, but hey, we no longer need to follow them."   Resist that temptation please. I will find ways to acknowledge your status as seniors here, but I ask that you respect the rules set in place regardless. If you give in to gnosticism, you will instantly cease to become the leaders the school needs you to be.

• Defeatism and Apathy—“We can’t make a difference, and furthermore, who cares? I’m out of here in a few months anyway. “  Wow, this is always sad for me as principal when I see students with this attitude. We humans have a tendency to rush ahead to the next thing, always believing the grass is greener, but then regret we didn’t enjoy what we once had. I see this in parents, sometimes, who focus on work, then regret they didn’t spend more time with their children once they leave for college. ENJOY these last months of high school! Stay active! Make a difference, so that when you DO look back on the high school years, you’ll do so without regret, knowing that you threw yourself into it, made good friends, and did good things there. Don’t “check out early.” College comes quickly enough, with new pressures, new stresses, changing friendships.

• “Senioritis”—Though we often joke about it, “senior-itis, ” is a real thing. You’ll feel its tug more and more powerfully as the senior year progresses, especially after you get accepted into the college you want. But it is a shame to run a really strong race, even leading around the final turn, and then limp to the finish line and watch everyone pass by you! Finish strong. Remember you must send your final grades to your college in June. Though it’s rare, I have seen colleges withdraw their scholarship offers based on 2nd semester grades. But even beyond that, I think you want to look back on high school and be proud of what you’ve accomplished. It’s mind over matter—you can will yourself to do what you don’t feel like doing. Work hard. Finish strong. 

I want you to have a fun senior year! Yes, there’s work to do, Many of you are taking more A.P. classes than ever, but you’re handling it well, because you’ve matured, and because you know how to study, and use your time well. Senior year is special. Make sure you include each other in your activities. Look for ways to pull those on the outside into the inside, to be able to say, "He or she is a little different, but he/she is one of us. Don’t exclude each other in your graduation parties, for example. Say  "We're seniors, and this is our class and our school! " Celebrate your standing as our first four year class, but also embrace the idea that as the #2 class, you set the trend!  It'll be up to you guys if the rest of the school follows. 

God bless.