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Welcome Everyone to Graduation.

Graduates, this is your day. It is your day to celebrate, to have a lot of fun, and to hopefully rake in a lot of cash.

It is also a time, as our late great superintendent, Dr. Jacobson used to say “to pull yourself up be the bootstraps and make something of yourself”. Be thankful that you live in a country where you have the opportunity to do that.

Speaking of opportunity, education is opportunity. Dr. Frick often speaks about being a lifelong learner. I agree 100%. My dad played 6 years with the Chicago Cubs. He always told me that in the minor leagues, you were either moving up, or you were done. In terms of lifelong learning, graduates, that means as you go thru life, you are either getting smarter or you are getting _______.

(I’ll let you fill in the blank)

Education can mean many different things and it certainly does not mean that everyone has to go to a 4 year university. First of all, there isn’t room for every high school graduate to go to college. Don’t be afraid to go to a tech school, join the military, or take an apprenticeship, or jump right into the work force.

Your parents and the teaching staff have worked very hard to prepare you. We have an excellent teaching staff at Holmen High School. We have really enjoyed working with the class of 2008. Well, most of you. Some of you like to whine or pout when things don’t go your way. Or you have an excuse for something that went wrong when the real reason can be found by looking in the mirror. This can be said about most senior classes. You need to take responsibility for your actions. Be critical of yourself first. The world does not owe you a living.

With whatever you choose to do, I would give you two words of advice:

1. Enjoy what you do—Someone once said that if you enjoy your job, you will never work a day in your life.

And secondly. Be good at what you do.

Education gives you the opportunity to have more choices in life, but whatever you choose, strive to be good at it. There are good doctors and bad doctors in this country. There are also good custodians and bad custodians. Personally, I have much more respect for a good custodian than I do for a bad doctor. Never measure a person by their paycheck. Rather, measure people by their effort, by their desire to be good at what they do, and by how good they are to the people in their lives.

Graduates, an example of that is Mr. Ferry. I want you to realize what an awesome principal you’ve had. Mr Ferry has been great at what he does and has earned the respect of the staff, students, and community because he has worked hard and has been genuine in everything that he does. So, if you get a chance, wish him luck in his retirement and credit him with a job well done.

This can also be said about Mrs. Johnson. Mrs. Johnson taught 34 years at Holmen. What a nice tribute her AP students gave her at the Senior Banquet on Wednesday night. Mrs. Johnson, it does not get any better than that.

Decisions. You will have many huge decisions to make in the next 5 to 10 years. Colleges, jobs, etc., but the biggest decision you will ever make is who you choose to be your lifelong partner. Choose carefully. This decision will have a greater impact on your life than any other decision you will ever make. Did you hear that?? Who you choose will have a greater impact on your life than any other choice you ever make. Many decisions should be made with your parents in mind. Appreciate their wisdom.

My mom and dad are in the audience today. They have been married for 56 years. My inlaws are also here—57 years. I think they made some pretty good choices back in 1950 and 1951. And I know one graduate sitting out here today who’s glad that I chose the right lifelong partner.

And lastly, remember the main message here—opportunity is nothing without some ambition and some hard work. Strive to be better each week, each day. And someday, when some one is impressed with you and asks you “where are you from”? And they will. You can proudly say “I’m from Holmen”. And Holmen can proudly say this is one of ours.

Thank you.