Unlike graduates for decades before you, this “pandemic” set of graduates for 2021 are going out in the world with built-in and tested resiliency.
While there are complex definitions of the word, by resiliency, we mean the repeated decision to keep moving forward despite adversity.
You have experienced hardship, but you have kept doing your assignments, showing up as best you could, and making plans for a future you weren’t sure would be there for you the way you envisioned.
Before 2020, it is fair to say that while parents, teachers, and other adults always cheered the annual crop of graduates on their way, there was likely a bit more internal wincing over what older folks knew was coming for at least some of the gowned youngsters crossing the stage.
Previously, some lucky and privileged students would accept their diploma, having never really faced adversity up to that point; those kids for whom school was fun and easy — socially, academically, or in their chosen sport.
Often, the early 20s are toughest on those golden folks, as they suddenly find themselves struggling to swim in the bigger and less supportive aquarium of the full-time work world, university, in a bigger or foreign city, or in a larger and more complex dating world.
For those kids, the first setbacks can be devastating. Some never fully recover.
But obstacles are not as likely to phase you as much, dear 2021 Squamish grads.
There isn’t a student among you who COVID-19 hasn’t impacted to some degree.
There certainly isn’t a student among you who hasn’t lost out because of it — from the frightening reality of the virus in your family for some, to missing the usual trappings of prom, to field trips and sports cancelled, to family and friend social events nixed or altered.
The spectre of COVID has shadowed your every move.
While none of us would have wished for this time of trial and tribulation for our youth, it arms you with the ability to adapt and to persevere that few before you have had as a collective group.
That will carry you far.
Be proud of yourself for that, more than for your grades on your final report card.
(We don’t have a say in the matter, but if we were to vote on it, we would say burn those last report cards, they don’t reveal half of what you have accomplished just getting through the year.)
Resilience — not grades — is the key to true success in life — success Squamish-style defined as many healthy years filled with purpose, love, curiosity, and time in nature shredding, hiking, or meditating.
Whatever you do from here, we believe in you, because we have already seen what you can overcome.
You don’t have to make us all proud of you; we already are.
Well done.
