He Said ~
(Below is the Senior Spotlight letter written for my daughter, as she nears graduation) …
I remember rushing back to my car as quickly as possible. I did not want the tears to be seen. They were rapidly running down my cheeks at a rate I’d never experienced, in what seemed like a never-ending flow.
Why? What precipitated this river break?
I had just dropped my daughter, Isabella, off in her first classroom. Once we entered the building the instructor said, “leave fast, it’s easier that way.” Heeding her call, I exited the premises, but not before taking a sneak peek back at my little girl. She was strongly sobbing. It took herculean strength to continue exiting, but I did.
By the third day, Bella did not even look back when I dropped her off. She just ran into the room to begin her educational escapades.
And the journey commenced. I was fortunate enough to work from home, so breakfast, lunch prep, and chauffeur duties were mine. Countless Eggo mini-waffles with buttery syrup were part of your mornings throughout grammar school, as well as endless Capri Suns and snacks being tightly stuffed into your Dora the Explorer lunchbox.
Throughout your primary and secondary schooling, you embraced learning and demonstratively dove deep into extracurricular activities. During your many memorable years of softball, social events, and recreational hobbies you perpetually provided purpose and passion, in all adventures.
And then, your odyssey led you to your love – music, theater, and performing. Fast forward to your selection for higher education; an arduous undertaking to say the least. However, when the red doors of Muhlenberg beckoned, you answered the call, and thankfully decided to pursue your devotion to the creative arts, in good ol’ Allentown, PA.
When asked what it is like to be a dad years ago, I replied, “it feels like Christmas morning, every day.”
So, at this most important time in your evolution, I want to Thank You.
You are clever, curious, insightful, inspiring, loyal, resilient, witty, and you possess the most benevolent heart.
On my graduation day your grandfather, “poppi,” shared this quote:
“By your own soul, learn to live.
If some men force you, take no heed.
If some men hate you, have no care.
Sing your song, dream your dreams
Hope your hopes, and pray your prayers.
By your own soul learn to live.”
I believe it suits you well.
So, sweet Bella, as we swell with pride over the next several months, remember to soak in every second and never stop embracing all that lies ahead.
She Said ~
During the course of my lifetime, I have been the witness to many wondrous things. I have traveled high surrounded by clouds, hovered above cities, dwellings, and oceans. I have marveled at cathedrals, redwoods, redrocks, and mountaintops. I have buried my feet in hot summer sand, played in wintry snow, and danced in the rain. I have watched wild horses run freely, and puppies do “zoomies.” I have made strangers into friends and distant places feel like home.
I have been blessed with the kindness, humor, and stories of strangers. I have stood shoulder to shoulder bopping, jumping, and swaying to the universal language – music. I have been moved to critical thinking, inspiration, and tears by movies with subtitles. I have crooned to tunes I do not understand. I have heard languages that sing in a rhythm unfamiliar to me, yet sound like romance. I have felt admiration, empathy, and sadness for people I do not know and never will. I have bore witness to the generosity of strangers through charity. I have witnessed courage and love and sacrifice exemplified.
All of this has me feeling blessed, hopeful, and nostalgic. I have come to the realization that there are no guarantees, just inevitable change.
Did You Know? Research.com reports the following statistics across different categories and demographics that show what percentage of American college students graduate:
- Only 1-in-4 high school graduates who enrolled as college freshmen this year will graduate after four years.
- Only 18% of bachelor’s degree graduates finished their studies within four years.
- Only 31.6% of associate’s degree students, (two-year courses), graduate.
- In 1900, 80.9% of graduates who earned bachelor’s degrees were male. Only 19.1% of graduates in 1900 were women.
- Starting in 2015, there have been more female bachelor’s degree holders than male.
- White or Caucasian students in bachelor’s programs have a five-year graduation rate of 62.2%.
- Hispanic or Latino students in bachelor’s programs have a five-year graduation rate of 41.5%.
- Black or African American students in bachelor’s programs have a five-year graduation rate of 40.5%.
- Asian/Pacific Islander students in bachelor’s programs have a five-year graduation rate of 69.3%.
- Students of two or more races enrolled in bachelor’s programs have a five-year graduation rate of 50.4%.
- American Indian/Alaska Native students in bachelor’s programs have a five-year graduation rate of 39.3%.