A message to our grads - Superintendent's Blog

A message to our grads,

All of us have heard a story that has impacted their lives. I would like to share with you a story that I heard as a young man that continues to influence me every day.

“A highly skilled carpenter who had grown old was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house building business and live a more leisurely life with his family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire.

The employer was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter agreed to this proposal but made sure that this will be his last project. Being in a mood to retire, the carpenter was not paying much attention to building this house. His heart was not in his work. He resorted to poor workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end his career.

When the job was done, the carpenter called his employer and showed him the house. The employer handed over some papers and the front door key to the carpenter and said "This is your house, my gift to you."

The carpenter was in a shock! What a shame! If he had only known that he was building his own house, he would have made it better than any other house that he ever built!

So it is with us. We build our lives in a distracted way, reacting rather than acting, willing to put up less than the best. At important points we do not give the job our best effort. Then with a shock we look at the situation we have created and find that we are now living in the house we have built. If we had realized that we would have done it differently.

Think of yourself as the carpenter. Think about your house. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Build wisely. It is the only life you will ever build. Even if you live it for only one day more, that day deserves to be lived graciously and with dignity. The plaque on the wall says, "Life is a do-it-yourself project." Your life tomorrow will be the result of your attitudes and the choices you make today.”

Your school experiences and our faith have provided you with a wonderful foundation upon which to start building your life, so build the best home that you can!  God has given you the skill and ability to create something truly wonderful.  But just like the carpenter in the story, it will be up to you to decide how well your house will be built!

I wish for each and everyone of you the love of your family, the respect of your fellow human beings and the grace of God.  Congratulations to the class of 2020 and may God bless each one of you!

Dwayne Zarichny
Superintendent of Schools