Kalamazoo Central High School Graduation, Monday June 7, 2010

 

 

 

Reflections by William H. Mayes, MASA Executive Director

Awesome—no other word comes close to describing the Kalamazoo Central High School graduation last Monday evening. As guests of Dr. Michael Rice, superintendent of Kalamazoo Public Schools, Karen and I had a front row seat for this celebration of the dedication and commitment of the senior class of Kalamazoo Central. This class, this school, this district has impressed the whole world. They are all awesome. 

Inspirational—to see the President of the United States praise a group of students that had dedicated their high school years to excellence on the promise that—if and when they graduate—they would be the beneficiary of the Kalamazoo Promise of a college education.

The students were respectful, considerate and obviously committed. They were ambassadors of Michigan’s strong commitment to education. They were on cloud nine-and-a-half—and moving higher. The evening was about them and their accomplishments—not about the President. He was the bonus.

The President’s comments were right on—he praised and challenged the students to be the best they can be and make “no excuses.” And as Dr. Rice said so eloquently in a passage from a Langston Hughes poem, life will consist not of “a crystal stairs” but of hard work.   Kalamazoo Central has provided the help—and some of the giants—to help them on their way. The encouragement was to keep on and keep climbing that stairs.

What an evening. What a celebration. What an honor. The feeling of pride and awe was truly fantastic.  

Congratulations Dr. Michael Rice and staff.  Congratulations Class of 2010 Kalamazoo Central.  You have made our whole state proud.