Local Radar

---

---

---

“In the Hills of Carolina Lies the School I Love…”

by Frank G. Roberson, Ph.D.
web posted May 25, 2007
GUEST COLUMN – More than 40,000 young men and women will exit the halls of South Carolina high schools over the next few days.  Many of them will have graduated before this column appears in the press.  We wish all of them well, as they embark upon the journey beyond high school.

As this journey is taken, I encourage the graduates to remember their school, the teachers and staff, and the lessons taught.  Remember the good times and cherish them.  Remember the not-so-good times and learn from the experience of them.

I write these words mainly for the parents and close relatives of the graduates, because I realize that the internal mixture of excitement and celebration will repel any well wishes that may be expounded from graduation speakers and will be automatically expunged into forgetfulness.  Such will be the case even for considerate speakers who obey the three-minute delivery limit.

I will be speaking to several groups of graduates over the next several days, knowing from the beginning that the few words that will proceed from my mouth, no matter how possibly profound, will be heard as “mwa-mwa-mwa, ma wa wa wa wa.”  I forgive the graduates.  I could not to save my life tell you one thing that was said at my graduation.

So I will pen my advice to graduates and leave it with their parents to convey to them during more settled moments:

May your journey beyond high school lead to a quality of life;

May the road not be so bumpy, but narrow, leaving little room for strife.

May your journey be worth the while at its end, that you will be able to stand tall among other women and men.

May the education that you received in your thirteen years of schooling be more than sufficient, lifting you high above your challenges, that it makes you intellectually efficient.

May the journey in later years contain a road back to home so you can show friends how successful you have become -- dressed up like a business person, even old acquaintances asking, “Where are you from?”

And may you always love your school from which you are graduating, that it has provided the foundation for a bright future that you are anticipating.


I do remember at my graduation, however, before leaving the auditorium, before singing the school’s anthem, “In the hills of Carolina lies the school I love…,” that someone encouraged us to be safe when leaving the school, and to obey the speed laws. 

Finally, I implore parents to tell their sons and daughters to be safe in their activities as they celebrate this outstanding achievement.

 

EdgefieldDaily.com is a member of the
Edgefield County
Chamber of Commerce
New Link Below
Information and Activities

---

-----
Parting Shots
A new book by Columnist Carl Langley

---

JAM Straight Customs

---

Featured Dining

La Cantina

---

---

'08 Debate
Get involved

---

NOTICE:
We still need recipes for Cooking Section
WEBNEWS –  Send in your favorite or favorites. There is no limit to the number of recipes you can send in. With the Editor’s wife being the driving force behind her own personal section, help her create an exchange of local favorites, home cooking, grilling, sauces, and deserts!  Send in your submissions here.