Magister adest et vocat te.: The reason for my hope.

I feel a little guilty giving this post the title, "The reason for my hope," given that it was in this past Sunday's second reading... and quite obviously, Christ is the reason for my hope. That being said, the reason for my hope in youth, in education, and in my career is really the students I encounter daily at SJP.

No school is perfect, and ours certainly has its share of faults and shortcomings. However, the students whose lives I am so honored to be a part of leave me speechless sometimes. The community of young people that have come together to form this school are really remarkable. In the past couple of weeks, this point has really become evident for me - my students are amazing.

In reflecting on this year, the things that have happened and what my kids have accomplished really could not happen anywhere else.

Here's just a few things...

- The prom this year, though quite stressful at times, was a success in so many ways. Minimal complaints this year, good food, great photos - but an even better group of kids. I was so impressed by how our kids treat each other, whether it was the girls gushing over how gorgeous each one looked - even if that girl was not one of their typical "friends", or the boys posing with each other for pictures. My advisory willingly gathered each one that was there to take a "Hughesgang prom photo"... Such a mixed group of kids so excited to take a picture together.

Arguably the best moment for me, however, was the awarding of prom king and queen. I think teachers aren't supposed to have favorites - so we'll say that I don't, but I'm not sure this vote of kids could be any closer to my ideal choices than it was. The young man and woman who were chosen are among the best kids I have ever taught. One an international student who impresses me daily with his intelligence, wit, and faith. He was voted this honor with a huge majority of the votes. I could never have imagined something like this happening - international student, first language other than English, however universally liked and by all types of kids, from all different "groups" of students. In my high school it never would have. In most schools, it never would have. The other student is one whom I have taught and coached. She is another, liked by all, kind to all. Hers was the class that I looked forward to my first year teaching high school because I knew I could count on their respect and openness to learning. And best yet - they are good friends. A friendship that in most schools just wouldn't happen. I seriously could not have chosen a better pair to win, if I had hand picked this myself.

- That is what is so remarkable about the community I work within. Unlikely occurances become the norm. A prom king from Korea, a homecoming king from the Ukraine. Chosen by their peers - international and domestic alike. Both remarkable individuals who deserve nothing less.

- With graduation in a day and half I have been reflecting on how much I will miss this class. Many of these students I have had in class for the past three years. I cannot imagine teaching without having them there.

...

Update.

Tuesday - Baccalaureate Mass and Senior Awards

Wednesday - Graduation

More so today than yesterday, pretty much cried a river of tears.

I'm not sure why this class' graduation hit me so much harder than last years, maybe it was just the extra year with them. Or maybe it was just the fact that have formed such close bonds with some of the kids in this class.

...Or maybe it is just that there are kids in this class who have:

- Reminded me why I wanted to be a teacher

- Reaffirmed my desire to work in a school like SJP... a private, Catholic school where each person is known and cared for; a school with a population of international students that seamlessly integrate themselves into our community; a place where I can know and am known.

- Taught me what it means to show real Christian love, and to want to love better

- Inspired me daily

Time passes so quickly and I just can't fathom that the sophomores I looked forward to teaching everyday in my first year of teaching high school have now graduated. And more importantly, have now matured into fantastic people as well.

That being said, it doesn't make it much easier to say goodbye to a student who I may or may not ever see again. That fact hurts.

I know that I am better because I have known these kids.

I could make a dollar a day and still want to be in this career because I get to know students like these.

Here's just a few pictures to show what kinds of kids I'm talking about.