On a warm, sunny, Friday afternoon the campus Chapel was filled with students, staff, and faculty to celebrate all the hard work the students and teachers of HopeTree Academy had put in throughout the past ten months. The ceremony serves as a consummation of the school year before the students move on to summer jobs, summer vacations, or summer school.
One at a time, each teacher presents several awards to various students based on criteria such as highest grades, best behavior, and most improvement. This is one of my favorite parts of the school year because it reveals a moment of transparent candor among the students. Even the most resistant and apathetic student shows a noticeable appreciation when they are recognized for an award.
A lot of our students also deal with issues of self confidence. The wide scope of awards given allows for students who might not have the best grades to realize that they do possess value. There is a quality about them that others can see and appreciate.
Too often in life, we do not stop to appreciate these qualities in the people in our lives. Whether it's the person in the office who always has the coffee pot freshly brewed (thanks David!) or a coworker giving you a ride to pick up your car at lunch, a simple "thank you" always goes a long way.
To this year's graduates, I wish you the best of luck. Keep in touch.
