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I am a FutureMaker. While many of you may not know what that means, I bet you believe in the shared vision that many educators, community leaders, business partners, and others have: to build a collaborative network to ensure all Floridians have the opportunity to achieve an education beyond high school to prosper in Florida’s dynamic economy.
To the Class of 2018: BE MORE!
Two amazing students who dream of being more!
“But dreaming isn’t enough, you have to put that dream into action. You will trip and fall, but who gets back up determines who will be successful.”
This past week I have attended several graduations and graduation parties, as it is always priceless to see the seniors who are ready to face the world as high school graduates. As I looked out at the class in the auditorium, many were anxious with anticipation for the day and what the next chapter entails for them. I also saw future doctors, politicians, teachers, nurses, community leaders, realtors, entrepreneurs, therapists and pastry chefs. As an educator, I am proud of what our students have accomplished (advanced degrees while in high school, scholarships, coveted selective school spots, and those just reaching their academic dreams), but more so are their stories about who they inspire to be. I am touched that I can be a part of their lives to help lead them down their individualized paths of success.
So as I sit here and think what wisdom I wish to impart in my students, is to BE MORE!
So many times as adults we limit ourselves in our lives because of past experiences. The negative self-talk embeds in our minds and prevents us from being what we truly can be. You, on the other hand, have limitless possibilities in front of you. Sometimes in life you will make the wrong choice, but always realize there are always more choices to make. Every day there is a new opportunity to make new and better choices.
In life, practice being more- you do this by taking risks in your life, putting yourself out there by dreaming that you can be more. But dreaming isn’t enough, you have to put that dream into action. You will trip and fall, but who gets back up determines who will be successful.
While living in Nicaragua, I climbed an active volcano. It was something I always wanted to do and heard that the journey was well worth it once you arrived to the top. We prepared, made plans, and ensured everything was in order. Water-check, hiking shoes-check, jacket-check, snacks-check. We were about to start out, and as the locals were watching us, they politely asked if we knew which path to go. We pointed to the one that looked well-traveled and said smugly, “That one, of course!” They replied, “How do you know that one gets you to the top? It actually ends quickly, you will have to take another path if your goal is reach the top.” What-another path? We hadn’t prepared for that! We had come too far to turn away now, yet, not knowing where we were going was just as daunting. We decided to hire a guide to help us, one who knew the route well and could help us along the way in case we needed it. It was long and arduous work, but the view at the top was breathtaking and inspirational.
And this is the moral of the story- everyday there are these hills or sometimes mountains, sometimes we have to go blindly through it to reach our goals, other times we find others to guide us along the way. No matter, the top is still the top. The view is still the same. There is an old Taoist saying, “There are many paths to one summit”. But if you never find that path, if you never put one foot in front of another, you will never reach the top. So dream more, love more, learn more, and be more.
Best of luck Class of 2018! We are all cheering for you to reach your own summit!
Dual Enrollment is one of several acceleration mechanisms specifically authorized by the Florida Legislature (Section 1007.27, Florida Statutes). The Dual Enrollment program allows a student to take postsecondary courses simultaneously earning high school credit needed for graduation while completing college course requirements for completion of a career certificate, an associate degree or baccalaureate degree while still in high school.
