By Tim Gresham
Powhatan County School Board Chairman

Editor’s Note: The following remarks were delivered by School Board Chairman Tim Gresham at last Saturday’s Powhatan High School graduation ceremony

Good morning class of 2010…  The Perfect 10.

2010 is one of those years that always seemed so far away – and here we are.

Even 10 years ago, when we hit the year 2000,– 2010 seemed so far into the future.

This has probably been a year of many questions for you. 

What are you doing after graduation?  Where are you thinking about going to school?  Where are you applying for jobs? What do you want to do for a living?

And so many more questions.

You know, I was thinking about questions you may have today – compared to questions you may have asked just ten short years ago and even questions you might have 10 years from today.

Ten years ago, when you were 7 or 8 years old or so, you had lots of questions.  And your mom and dad were the “go to people” with your important questions.  You may have asked earth shattering questions like…

Is this shoe on the right foot?

Is 2 times 6….. 10?

After swallowing a watermelon seed, you may have asked – “Uh, Mom?  Will a watermelon grow in my stomach if I swallow a watermelon seed?

Another seed question, “Dad, if I plant flower seeds and flowers grow, what happens if I plant bird seed?”

Your mom and dad were smart and you knew it!  We’ll come back to that in a minute…

Today, you might be asking – “What is FAFSA?”

“Can you have a car on campus as a Freshman?”

And , let’s face it, you will be asking lots of questions over the next ten years…

Some will be scary, some exciting.  Some major and some minor.

Questions like…

“Will you marry me?”

“Should I marry him?”

“Should I accept this job?”

“Should I consider moving across the county to accept this job?”

“Should we think about having another baby?”

“Should I have this surgery?”
 
“Should I join this church?”

“Is this the right house for us?”

And there are also some questions, you may ask of your mom and dad, who - - - by the way - - in 10 years will be smart again!

Questions like:

“How do I teach him which shoe goes on which foot?” and…
“Do I want a 30 year fixed rate mortgage or a variable rate, low cap loan?”

So – a little advice as you move on from being a High-Schooler as you face these many questions and decisions. 

You will make good decisions if you build your life on a strong foundation.
A strong foundation educationally, spiritually, and physically.
 
President Ronald Reagan said, “If you stand for nothing, you’ll fall for anything.”  In other words if you don’t have beliefs, values and family that you believe in and care for, you can easily be convinced to make decisions that may not get you where you want to be.

A wise man, fellow Powhatan resident Eric Haney recently said, “The greatest fear in life is not how far you can climb the ladder of success.  It is that you get to the top only to find out your ladder is leaning on the wrong wall.”  Wouldn’t it be ashamed to make it to the top of your ladder of success, look around and realize, for example, the people you care about aren’t there with you?  Or your success led you somewhere you really did not want to be.

A strong foundation with beliefs you hold to will help you do the right thing.  Doing what is right is not always the easiest.  Doing what is right is not always the fastest or cheapest way to do something.  In fact, often doing what is right takes courage, strength and perseverance.  But doing the right thing will help you get where you really want to be – your ladder will be against the right wall.

With that, on behalf of the Powhatan County School Board, congratulations on a job well done.  You have made it.  Graduation day 2010 is here! 

I wish you well – and May God bless you.