St. Charles North High School
by Dave Krodel, Class of 2004 Advisor
Wednesday, May 26, 2004
When I became aware that as the senior class advisor I would be speaking at the Senior Farewell, I started to contemplate what my "words of wisdom" for the Class of 2004 would actually be. I thought through the litany of books, movies, sporting events, and travels of which I had had the pleasure to experience looking for some motivational or inspirational thoughts and ideas to pass on to the most recent class of graduates from St. Charles North High School. After much deliberation I finally came to a decision as to what the framework of my address would look like. I decided to focus my thoughts for these graduates on "looking forward, but not forgetting to look back."
During my tenure as the Class of 2004 advisor I had the distinct pleasure of watching this group of students grow from being uncertain freshmen the day they first set foot in this high school to a group of young adults ready to “seize the day, “ as Robin Williams so eloquently stated in “Dead Poet’s Society.” The Class of 2004 is the first graduating class in North High School history to complete all four years in this building. I must say that as their teacher and class advisor, it has been a true honor to serve, guide, and work with this amazing group of students.
If there was a word to sum up this group’s persona, it would be “resolve.” From the day these students started high school they were exposed to a set of challenges and a learning curve that no other group in this school’s time will ever face. While having the Class of 2003 as a guide and mentor, the fact remains this year’s graduates helped to create a foundation of traditions, memories, and a culture upon which subsequent classes will continue to build. To build the foundation is never easy—without it, the building crumbles, but with a strong durable groundwork, the rest of building has the potential to remain sturdy and last for generations. Nevertheless, to construct such a foundation, especially over uncharted ground, is a remarkable challenge, and I am proud to say the Class of 2004 has more than met this charge during its tenure at North High School.
I would like to share the following short story to exemplify my thoughts and feelings about these recent graduates. Billy Mills was a member of the Sioux Indian tribe in Kansas. Mills, who was orphaned at age twelve, was a phenomenal long distance runner, and after a stellar high school career, he received a scholarship to the University of Kansas, where he starred in the late 1950’s. After a stint in the early 1960’s in the Marine Corps, Mills began training and eventually qualified in the ten thousand meter run for the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. Despite qualifying, Mills was virtually unknown to the international distance running community and not expected to do much. Despite a slow start in the ten thousand meter race, Mills’ final kick allowed him to surpass all of his opponents and win the event and set an Olympic Record. Mills’ performance coupled with his anonymity so stunned the crowd and was so unexpected that an Olympic Official asked the now famous question, “Who are you?,” as Mills crossed the finish line. I share this story because I feel it embodies the resolve and perseverance the Class of 2004 has exhibited time and again during the last four years. No matter the setback or difficulty, this group of students has continually met the challenges that have been placed upon them and usually emerged successfully.
Theodore Roosevelt said, “The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again, who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”
Congratulations to you, the Class of 2004!! Because you are the “first in four”, and because of your time, dedication, and ability to persevere, you can take comfort in the fact that your place in this school’s history will always be secure because you were the trailblazers—the pioneers—who created the path for others to follow.
While I realize that there is a heightened anticipation of what next year will bring, whether it will include attending a college or university, receiving vocational training, or entering the work force, I hope that each and every one of you will continue to look back on your experiences and memories of North High School in a positive light. My goal would be for each one of you to remember and focus on one significant occurrence in your high school career and to be able to, in some fashion, use that event as a reference for determining your direction and shaping who you will become in the future. It is my sincere wish that every graduate in the Class of 2004 be able to look back on his/her time here at North High School with pride and honor. Remember the trends, the jokes, the music, the sports, the plays, the musicals, the Homecomings, and the Proms—all of it—because it will define you forever as part of this school’s history. And likewise, each of you will, on some level, define yourselves by your accomplishments and memories of your high school experience.
So remember—while it is certainly wonderful to look ahead to what each of you has in store, do not forget to look back on your time here at North High School. With that said, I leave you with this message, the traditional Irish/Celtic blessing, as each of you sets off on your own journey after high school.
“May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
May the rain fall soft upon your field,
And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.”
Take care and best of luck to you all—congratulations Class of 2004!!
For questions, comments or suggestions, please contact Todd Hewell
