For the last three years, Barrhead Composite High School (BCHS) principal Steven Kaplan has been lying to his students.
Well perhaps not a lie, per se, but he did exaggerate.
That is what Kaplan told more than 120 class of 2017 students during their June 30 graduation ceremony at the Barrhead Agrena.
“For the last three years I have been telling you that you control your thoughts, words and actions, but that is a lie. Not a bad one, but still it is not true, at least not fully. The diploma you receive today wasn’t achieved in isolation,” he said.
Like all people, Kaplan said, all of the students in the graduating class have faced challenges and tribulations that were so difficult they found themselves on the verge of giving up.
“I want you to think carefully about the people in your life, the ones right here in this arena, who were there for you, to not only share your burden, but at times took over your burden,” he said. “Take time to thank them and remember they are part the reason of why you are here.”
In addition, Kaplan said it is through the help of these individuals that they will truly be able to move mountains.
“It may seem impossible but just think of all the things that were previously thought as impossible to achieve, but were not,” he said, giving the examples of Columbus’ efforts of finding a route to the East Indies and women’s voting right, both which were thought to be impossible.
Thinking to his own lifetime, Kaplan said there have been just as ‘impossible advancements’, like the Internet, which was only thought as science fiction.
“These accomplishments were done by every day people like you,” he said. “It doesn’t all have to be about changing all of human kind. There are many personal mountains you can choose to move. Something you’ve proven by being here today.”
Kaplan concluded his address by challenging the graduates to take advantage of helping others achieve their potential.
“Remember no person should live in isolation. Life is about relationships and community. Surround yourself with good people and go out and make the world a better place,” he said.
Class valedictorian Stephanie de Waal agreed that the grad class didn’t get to where they were alone, saying in part, the class’ theme “Kid, you can move mountains”, a quote taken from a Dr. Seuss book Oh, the places you will go, only tells part of the story.
“Everything in that story about moving on, becoming an adult, making decisions, is very self orientated. It says you can achieve your dreams and aspirations, but it never states you will need others to reach your goals,” she said. “But we all know we wouldn’t be here today, celebrating our graduation, without people helping us. So as we sit here, in our blue gowns, ready to start the next phase of our lives and tackling our next goal, just remember we can’t do it alone.”
