Takin' the Blog for a Walk

graduation day

Posted by Brien Lee on June 11, 2011

1) sound of music, 7) I simply remember, 8) my favorite things, YouTube, Waukesha North

I'd like to congratulate all high school seniors graduating this spring; great job! Congratulations to our youngest, Nick, as he graduates Waukesha North in just a few hours, and to all his North forever friends and special friend from Pewaukee High, Emily.

I could go on and on about what his graduation means to me. Having our last child out of high school. The years gone by...  I'd often had occasion to think how some students adapt better to learning than others. Some are pushed, either by themselves or others, to overachieve and accomplish great things; I admire them, but don't envy them. Others are just doing their best with what God gave them. Not everyone can do well in school. I sure didn't.

Good grades came easily for Nick's brother. His graduation thrilled us, but didn't surprise us. The road wasn't as smooth for Nick, which in itself is a credit to his determination. It's possible this day wouldn't have come if not for all the great teachers through these last twelve and more years. The one on one help in the classroom and after hours, the tutor he had for a while, the homework help from his friends... They are the ones I personally will never forget.

As Nick got older and took increasingly more difficult classes I was no longer the biggest influence in his educational life. I didn't take Spanish, physics or chemistry in high school. I spent so much time at work that I just hadn't been around much for him. There are others I attribute with his success. I'm not mentioning them, not even sure if I know them all, but they know who they are.

Teachers are everything for getting him to this point... and beyond. Let me not fail to mention his friends, and he has a lot of them, and his coaches. A special shout out to his football, track and weight-training coaches. There's no way he'd be this well-adjusted without the possitive influence of sports, healthy lifestyle, teamwork and coaching. He's gained so much from sports, (something I tried to avoid in school), that it's left an indelible mark; he plans to attend college for physical therapy.    

To all Nick's teachers, his good friends, coaches, counselors, everyone cheering for him along the way . . . thank you . . . congratulations . . . And to Nick I say Well Done!