| "School's out for the summer.. . school's out forever!" | | | | "Would you like fries with that, ma'am?" or "Do you |
| - Alice Cooper | | | | prefer paper or plastic, sir?" |
| It's hard to believe that it's been 30 years since we | | | | What you do next can increase or limit the range of |
| played Alice Cooper's song over and over again at | | | | options you have in life. As you consider what your |
| graduation. It's amazing to me how it's still played | | | | next move might be, think about this quote: |
| across the country every year at graduation time. | | | | "If you do now what other people are not willing to |
| "No more pencils, no more books, no more teachers' | | | | do, you will be able to do later what other people |
| dirty looks." | | | | can't do." |
| So congratulations! You made it through 12-plus years | | | | And here are a few words for the parents of the |
| of publicyour brains intact. For 12 years they have | | | | graduates. I trust by now you realize that the world |
| told you where to be and what to take, with bells to | | | | they are about to enter is dramatically different than |
| remind you where to go next. | | | | the one we entered 30 or more years ago. |
| Rarely in life will everything be so neatly laid out for | | | | As you prepare to launch your child/young adult into |
| you again. Unless you join the military. | | | | the world, remember the words of Mark Twain: |
| So now what? Some of you may have that all laid | | | | "When I was 17, I thought my old man was the |
| out and planned as well. Good for you. Others aren't | | | | dumbest person in the world. Then when I turned 21, |
| so sure. | | | | it was amazing how much he had learned in four |
| What you have really accomplished is that you have | | | | years." |
| earned your beginning "ticket" for the rest of your | | | | They will still have difficulty listening to you. They will |
| life. | | | | make mistakes. Give them room to do both of those |
| Here's what I mean. | | | | things and to find their way back to you when they |
| My family moved to Orlando in 1971, six months | | | | need you. |
| before Disney World opened. Back then you didn't | | | | And they will. |
| just pay one general admission and ride anything you | | | | It's also time for parents to begin to shift their focus |
| wanted. | | | | a bit. Instead of concentrating on what you might |
| You had to buy a coupon book, with tickets that | | | | want to make them do, begin to consider what you |
| ranged from A to E. An A ticket would get you on all | | | | are going to do. |
| the little stuff like Dumbo's Wild Ride or the carousel. | | | | In closing, here are a few more tips for the graduate. |
| You had to use an E ticket to get on things like The | | | | Although you may have a dress rehearsal for |
| Haunted Mansion or 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. | | | | graduation, there is no dress rehearsal for life. This is |
| It's much the same with education and life. By | | | | live and real. |
| passing all those courses that you may never use (it's | | | | Before you receive that diploma, find someone who |
| true), you have gotten your A, maybe even your B | | | | invested in your life during these past four years and |
| ticket for life. | | | | simply thank them. |
| Those who don't get this far stand a fair chance of | | | | You'll make their day, or more. |
| spending a good part of their working lives saying | | | | |