The Gavel: The Diploma

The stack of embossed diplomas sat carefully unwrapped and ready for signature. This year, I was first! One of the greatest honors is representing the 24 men and women of the Shorecrest Board by signing the graduating seniors’ diplomas. Along with Headmaster Mike Murphy and Upper School Head Tom Dillow, it is a singular honor and one of the many tasks that has brought joy and humility to me these past two years.

It has to be neat! And legible! And… wait, will they even notice? Do they even read the diploma? I’ll bet most seniors just look to make sure it’s there, then they are on with their lives. I can’t remember if I looked at mine or not. I certainly didn’t frame it!

As Mr. Murphy and I stand with your son or daughter during graduation, we are actually illustrating the support your child receives from the very first day at Shorecrest. Mr. Murphy represents the hard-working administrators and staff as well as the excellent faculty who catapult your child to greater things.

I represent 24 individuals, most at the peak of their professions, who believe in Shorecrest and making it the best independent school in Florida. They attend meetings, receptions, performances, planning sessions, meet with parents and faculty – all to provide the support Mr. Murphy needs to run the school.

As I watch these graduations, I always wonder if we aren’t missing the point – being a college preparatory school. After all, there may be a very good reason Peter Thiel (PayPal) offered $100K to college students to drop out and start their own ventures. Perhaps he sensed that at their high school graduations, students are actually at the point in their lives in which their potential is the highest. Listening to the accomplishments of this and past senior classes, he may be right. Whatever the accomplishments of your son or daughter, I wish them early failure (the best way to learn) and eventual success in what they choose. More importantly, I hope they are ultimately fulfilled by their careers and they like what they become.

To the students - the Shorecrest Board of Trustees wants each one of you to succeed, and, in your own way – to give back.