This past week, I had the great pleasure of watching the Class of 2010 celebrate the beginning of the end. On Monday, girls fretted over what outfit to wear and boys complained about having to wear ties and dress shoes. On Tuesday, they came into the library dressed up and looking great. But it was there. If you looked really close, you could see behind the smiles, the bittersweet feeling of the ending a chapter in their life. They ate breakfast prepared for them by the faculty, and took lots of pictures to commemorate the day. They received a gift bag containing some important items. The first thing they pulled out was the very exciting Kennedy Alumni stickers and pencils. Oh the excitement of finally becoming an Alumni! "Whew, we are going to be alums!" They dug deeper in the bags and found a collection of letters written to them from the Kennedy community. Teachers, staff and underclassmen wrote goodbyes and affirmations to the senior class. I watched as some opened every letter right where they stood, some move off to a quiet corner to open each letter carefully, some left the library without opening a letter.
Next, off to put on caps and gowns for the senior award recognition ceremony. Boy, did they get into those quickly. We only had to tell them once- they were ready. In the theatre, there were lots of cameras, lots of poses, and most importantly, lots of smiles. We teachers lined them up, told them to spit out their gum and now it was their moment. It was at that moment that I left them. I entered the gym and sat in my assigned spot with the sophomores. I spotted a seat front center amongst the parents and took it quickly so that I could get some great pictures for the yearbook. At least this is what I convinced myself of at the moment. In retrospect I think that I, like the seniors themselves, just wanted to hang on until the very end. As the seniors walked in, I was ready to take those great pictures, but wait- what happened to the smiles? Ten seconds ago they had smiles. Now they walked in like they were on death row. Ok, so I could get some smile pictures a little later.
As is the tradition, the Senior Class President got up to address the Senior class. Now this speech is typically light and humorous, but is very high on sentimental value. Not to disappoint, Kearney Cole met all the expectations. As Kearney delivered her speech something was happening to me. I forgot about taking pictures for the yearbook and I let Kearney's words guide me down that sentimental journey with the Class of 2010. As the parents laughed at the appropriate places, it occurred to me that while these moments were humorous to hear, I had an advantage over the parents. I was witness to many of those moments. I was part of them. Yes indeed, I had gotten attached. I don't why this came as a surprise- it happens to me every year. You see, all teachers get the pleasure of molding young minds. But as their Religion teacher, I get the pleasure of helping to mold their spirit- the very essence of who they are.
We get them as freshmen. They are dorky, insecure, and think high school is so awesome. I get to teach them some habits that they can hold on to and then make sure they have all the fundamentals of the Catholic Church. They learn that "God is good… all the time" and once they know that, they learn that they too, are good. We talk about having good values and how they can solve the problems of the world. What's great about being their Religion teacher, is that not only do I get to share the goodness of God and the world with them, but that they get to share the goodness that is them with me. In Religion class, I get to learn as much as I get to teach. I get to watch them find out who they want to be and what difference they want to make. I only learn about them what they want me to know. I get to help them find answers to life's most important questions- the kind of questions that don't have logical explanations-. I help them find faith. It's not the kind of faith you have when you're a little kid and you learn about the wonders of God in Religion class. No, I get to help them find the kind of faith that will get them through the hard times, the kind of faith that fills their heart so that they know they are worth something in this world- that they matter. It is with this thought that it occurs to me that my logic is not that of a teacher, but that of a mother. After all, isn't that what every parent wants more than anything for their child. A mother's job is to guide her child into the world so that they will be the best person they can be. While the math, English and History teachers focused on specific skills that will make them successful in careers, I have focused on skills that can only be measured in time and by the relationships they create. I too, have to have faith, just like a mother, that I have done the best I can to help form the people they will become.
Kearney finishes her speech and I feel a lump in my throat. The Seniors names are called out one by one. The mothers start to cry as they watch their precious babies walk across that stage. I wonder what they are thinking, but then again, I know, because they are like my babies too. I sit and cry with the moms and I am proud of them, I am happy for them, I will miss them. But unlike the parents I sit amongst, I know that I will be lucky to hear from them. They will call their mothers from time to time and their mothers will continue to watch them soar. I, on the other hand, let them go and get ready for the next class.
It's not over yet. There is still Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation to come. And I will sit with the teachers who smile at the kids, but I will cry with the parents whose hearts are filled with joy and hope for God's greatest blessing. Good Bye Class of 2010. I will miss you greatly. Remember that Kennedy is part of who you are- go out and make us proud. Go out and make me (Mom) proud.
