Graduation 2009

One of the pleasures of how Pilgrim does graduations is hearing the fathers of the homeschoolers talk about a positive character quality they see in their graduating son or daughter. The counterpart to that is that the principal of the high school and the principal of the grade school tell about the graduating class in their respective schools, although usually not naming individual students or their characteristics.

What the fathers' speeches show me is that these students have a significant and productive life outside of academics. Often, fathers speak of a strong sense of responsibility in their children, especially with regard to getting their schoolwork done in a timely manner. I know personally that one graduating homeschool senior is an accomplished seamstress. She has been sewing for other people for several years. Yet she accomplished high school in three years, took voice lessons, coaches me on growing African violets, and scored very high on her college entrance exams. One eighth grader loves to draw, another often cooks delicious meals for her family, and yet another is predictably cheerful and sparkly. She loves growing things. A young man who displays a lot of initiative, often fixes things on the farm that need fixing. I rejoice with these parents whose considerable efforts are rewarded by seeing their children's development up close, in the context of many shared hours.

Another thing I liked about last night's graduation was how Zachary's graduation was handled. He did not fit into either of the tidy categories the other graduates fit into. All the others were either enrolled in Pilgrim Christian High School, Pilgrim Christian Grade School, or were in a family that is a member of Pilgrim Christian Home Educators--an accountability/support group with an elected administrator who represents this group to a school board charged with taking oversight and making provisions for all three organizations. Zachary's family homeschools their children, but they do not attend any of the churches that support Pilgrim's educational programs financially (although I believe they make private donations to Pilgrim programs, as agreed upon with the board treasurer). As do many other homeschooling families, they sent Zachary and his sister to the high school for individual classes that they felt unable to teach well at home. I had Zachary as a student in typing, accounting, composition, and Anabaptist history. I know that he also took music classes, and I presume he took speech.

When Zachary's diploma was given, the high school principal was in charge. He made a brief explanation, saying that, although Zack was not an enrolled student at Pilgrim High School, he took a number of classes there. Since his parents affirm that he has met the requirements for graduation, he will be awarded a diploma. Zack's relatives from New York were there to witness the occasion. Nothing was said about how Zack works with their beef herd and helps his father trim the hooves of diary cows, but everyone who knows Zack knows that these kinds of hard physical labor have been a great benefit to a child who had energy to spare and a quick, restless mind with which to attack and devour his schoolwork. One year he bagged three deer, and processed them all himself for the family's food supply.

And now, about those Pilgrim High graduates. . . . That class made a big happy splash coming into school four (or three) years ago, and they'll leave a big wake going out--all twelve of them.
Last night I couldn't help feeling regret at not having been there for their final year. It would have been a good time. But they were well-cared for in my absence, I'm sure. I contented myself with looking at each one of them, knowing something about how they struggled and labored, and excelled or just "got it done." I went through the greeting/congratulations line and hugged the girls and shook hands with the guys. They're a dear bunch. I don't know if the world is ready for them, but I hope it is kind to them.

Arlyn N. had a wonderful commencement address. He is a former Pilgrim student, a former Pilgrim teacher, a former NYC school principal, and a current Pilgrim board member. He has substituted several times in the past few years, and the students were involved in choosing the speaker. He talked about success--his own hunger for it, and the soul-diminishing cost of pursing success according to "worldly" definitions. Without belaboring the point, he made a compelling case for selfless service, offered with excellence and humility as a reliable route to important kinds of success--far more effective than seeking success itself. He read a poem that encapsulated these ideas, but I did not hear the title or poet's name, and I can't remember much of the content--only that it was profound and on-target. (The sound system is due for replacement, and last night I found myself wishing heartily that it had already been done.) I remember a line about a "soul-encrusting shell." I'm going to ask Arlyn about the poem.

Twenty-seven people's names were on Pilgrim's graduation bulletin, and 500 people were invited to a party afterward. A good time was had by all.