Graduation
Tonight was Odyssey’s graduation. We had nearly 80 students show up to walk. I am so proud of this group of students.
The whole evening was focused on the kids. There wasn’t a speaker that went much over five minutes, and if you’ve been to a graduation you know that dangerous things happen when you give an adult a microphone and an podium. Somehow the night becomes about them. This didn’t happen for a single second. I think I had perm-a-grin all night long. I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed a graduation so much.
One of my favorite parts of Odyssey is the diversity in our student population. Although most of our students are white, they have such a wide background; from students working full time downtown, to students nearly dropping out, to professional actors and athletes. There are still many people in online learning who believe that only the best and the brightest can make it in in this venue. Here’s the deal: Those students can make it anywhere. The challenge is to get all students to succeed in this environment. I believe that all students can succeed in online learning and tonight was an affirmation of that.
It’s been so amazing watching this school grow. I remember, just five years ago, having a graduating class of less than 30. It’s going to be amazing to watch this school continue to grow and to be a direct part of that process.
Next year I’m shooting for 100. It’ll happen. Wait-and-see.
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Alia responds:
Posted: June 5th, 2007 at 11:19 pm →
I’m so glad you were there tonight, Mr. Moses!
Thanks for the sweet yearbook message
Craig Butz responds:
Posted: June 6th, 2007 at 8:01 am →
Glenn, I appreciate your comments on last night’s graduation. You are right, Odyssey’s graduation is a special event, seeing these young people who have such success in our school is wonderful. It has always been my favorite day of the school year.
Cory responds:
Posted: June 6th, 2007 at 11:55 am →
Last night was the best of the three at OCHS I’ve attended. Its great to see the kids be able to enjoy this moment and not be “silenced” like many graduations in a big district. I applaud our admin team for that.
Almost everyone had huge smiles on their face, there was one girl in the back row who Ive never seen before that looked like she was either gonna fall asleep or hurt someone. I felt bad for her, wondered what made her so sad on such a great day. I tried to find her afterwards but she was gone. Next year Im hoping that all kids smile, and all have passed their proficiencies.
Belinda responds:
Posted: July 11th, 2007 at 10:27 am →
Cory,
The girl you are referring to was my student this year – someone else asked me about her at graduation, and she’s been like that all year long, no matter what I did or said to try to pull her out of her self-constructed “box.” But, she’s a very good student and will do well in college. She needed this right of passage just as much as the other graduates who were deliriously happy. It was a great ceremony and really makes teachers and students feel like all the hard work really does pay off in the end.