OSS grads are told being good people as important as becoming successful

The 50 members of the 2012-13 graduating class from Osoyoos Secondary School (OSS) were told by their peers that being a good person is every bit as important as achieving financial or academic success as they take a giant step forward in their young lives.

“Your generation has been called the me me me generation, but you all have the ability to change that into the we we we generation,” said veteran teacher John Seminoff, who presented the keynote address at Saturday’s OSS graduation ceremony along with fellow teacher Peter Gajda.

Being a kind, generous, truthful, thoughtful and empathetic person is what’s truly important in life and most people don’t find real happiness until they realize there’s much more to life than financial and material wealth, said Seminoff.

Gajda told the 50 graduates that most people have to endure many disappointments and setbacks in their life and how you rise above difficulties and develop character and integrity will define the kind of person you become when you transform from teenagers into adults.

“What lies in front of you is a blank canvas. How you paint it is now up to you,” he said.

Seminoff told the students they should all be very proud of their accomplishments in their early lives and being a high school graduate is something to be very proud of as it has taken a lot of dedication, commitment and hard work inside and outside the classroom over the past four years to attain this goal.

It’s going to take the same kind of commitment and hard work to excel in post-secondary studies and to become happy and content young adults, he said.

“Pursue your goals with passion, persistence and pride,” he said. “No matter what you choose to do with your life, pursue it with passion. Dream big, but don’t forget to celebrate the little things along the way.”

Seminoff also urged the students to pursue fields of study and careers that will bring personal satisfaction as this is much more important than a large paycheque.

“Do you have the desire to be the best you can be in your chosen field?” he asked rhetorically.

If the answer is no, then it’s time to re-evaluate and perhaps consider another field of study or career that you’re passionate about, he said.

“Some people dream of success, while others stay awake and pursue it,” he said. “It’s up to you to do something truly remarkable.”

Gajda reiterated that being a decent and kind person and treating others with respect and empathy will ultimately determine happiness and the amount of quality friends you have in your life.

Characteristics like humility, determination, pride, empathy, integrity and a good sense of humour will endear you to people who share the same characteristics and lead to many solid and meaningful relationships, he said.

Seminoff said being honest with those you care about the most will also ensure that those same people are there to support and assist you when the inevitable difficult times surface in your life.

Valedictorians Adam Crouch and Jenna Riznek reminisced about the many good friendships made by members of the graduating class.

Being able to attend a relatively small high school has meant the members of the graduating class have gotten to know each other better than most high school students do in larger schools and this has meant many solid friendships have been formed that will last for years to come, said Riznek.

There is a very tangible bond between the students, staff and parents at OSS and it has helped create a wonderful learning environment, said Crouch.

Crouch and Riznek both urged their fellow graduates to continue to work hard towards pursuing their dreams as they pursue a diploma, degree or career in their chosen field.

Marieze Tarr, the chair of the board of trustees with School District 53 and the mother of Manine Tarr, who graduated Saturday, gave an impassioned speech urging the students to be proud of their accomplishments and for overcoming the difficulties that are often part and parcel of being a high school student.

Graduation day is often “bittersweet” for students and their parents as graduating from high school is a major step forward in a teenager’s life, but can often be a bit scary as many face the prospect of leaving home and moving to another town or city to attend college, she said.

Many of these graduates will become doctors, nurses, veterinarians, mechanics and tradespeople and hopefully many will return to Osoyoos to work once their education is completed, she said.

The relationship and educational skills learned while at OSS will hopefully come in handy to assist the students when things get tough when they leave home and attend college or university, she said.

“I wish I could say to all of you that life is easy, but I can’t,” she said.

For every success and challenge overcome, there will be failure and disappointment, but it’s up to young people to develop skills that allow them to cope when things get difficult, she said.

“Life is not about how fast we climb to the top of the mountain, but about taking our time and enjoying the journey,” she said.

Tarr also commented on how important it is to be a kind and helpful person and to treat others as you would like to have them treat you.

“We have to love ourselves first before we can be loved,” she said. “Be curious about everything around you and enjoy life.”

Mayor Stu Wells congratulated all of the graduates and said every one of them, and their parents, should be very proud of a job well done. He wished them all good luck in the future.

“Your school has done its best to help all of you make good decisions, now it’s up to you,” he said. “I urge you to become active in your community and get involved. By giving of yourself, you get so much in return. I wish all of you all the best and nothing but happiness.”

BY KEITH LACEY

Osoyoos Times