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Congratulations
to the
St. John's Class of 2004!
(05-30-04)
The
mood at the graduation ceremony was relatively upbeat as are all
graduation ceremonies. But many in the audience were curious to
see and hear Dr. Jenkins speak for the first time since his departure
from the school almost six months ago.
As the guest speaker selected by the Senior class, Dr. Jenkins was
given a standing ovation usually reserved for dignitaries, when
he was introduced by Jorge.
Many in the audience who listened to Dr. Jenkins' speech, have dubbed
it as the 'INTEGRITY' speech ... and it's easy to see why. If you
weren't fortunate to have attended graduation, you can read his
speech in its entire format here on our site.
Many in attendance felt at least a sense of closure having Dr. Jenkins
speak for himself in front of his peers, former students and of
course parents to set the record straight. And although not all
questions were answered, many in the audience felt better hearing
from Dr. Jenkins himself, that he did not do anything to harm the
children of SJS, nor did he do anything inappropriate that led to
his sudden retirement.
Critics would say of Dr. Jenkins, that graduation was not the place
for personal vindication, but I offer this view — where else
could he have done it? No, it is clear, that Dr. Jenkins was not
only just setting the record straight, he was speaking to his last
senior class and teaching them one last lesson. Lying hurts people.
Lying disrupts lives. Lying creates mistrust. In other words, he
was pleading to his seniors, that no matter what they accomplish
in life, they should always do it with integrity.
As he congratulated and wished the class of 2004 well, many in the
audience realized that this was probably the last we would see of
Dr. Jenkins on the St. John's campus and in the gym that bares his
very name. With a simple but eloquent prayer, Dr. Jenkins ended
his speech with a definitive 'goodbye'.
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Updated
for June 08, 2004
Dr.
Jenkins says goodbye to the graduating class of 2004.
(Read his speech below.)
Good
evening Ladies and Gentlemen, BOT, Administration, Faculty,
alumni, friends, parents of the graduating class, and
the Graduating Class of 2004.
Tonight is a special evening in our lives and most special
to the parents of the graduates and graduates. It is a
great honor to be asked to speak with you tonight. To
be asked here given the events of the past year makes
this a singular honor and one that I am extremely humbled
by.
High School graduation ceremonies are among the most important
and emotional ceremonies we celebrate. In our society
these ceremonies mark the passage from childhood to adulthood.
Therefore, it is appropriate that ceremonies such as this
one are called by two names, Graduation and Commencement;
since they mark the end of one part of your lives and
the beginning of another phase. We are all here tonight
to honor the graduates and demonstrate our joy at their
achievements. However, the joy we all feel is tinged with
a slight bittersweet taste, for although we feel tremendous
joy in celebrating your accomplishments, we also feel
a bit of sadness because you are leaving us.
Tonight marks the end of one phase of your lives and the
beginning of another. However, it also marks the End of
an Era for St. John’s School and the beginning of
a new era. This is really a significant point in the history
of this wonderful institution. For not only are you, the
graduates leaving this place and moving on to others,
but also many important members of the faculty will be
moving on to new lives and experiences. These include
many of those people who have been such a major part of
your lives and also are the people who are responsible
for the creation of much of what we consider St. John’s.
They have been responsible for the development of the
curriculum, atmosphere, relationships, traditions, and
culture of the school. Their presence, knowledge, and
wisdom will be sorely missed. For due in large part to
their efforts the history of St. John’s School is
one of success, pride, achievement, and most of all people
working together toward a common goal, for St. John’s
has been, above all, a human enterprise.
I only hope that those people in positions of authority
who will be leading the school into this New Era will
treasure the jewel that they have inherited. I further
hope that they will recognize, understand, and honor the
school’s philosophy and mission, then build upon
the foundations and traditions that have been established
here over the past 42 years.
If I may I would like to express gratitude to all of those
who have gone before and have contributed to the development
of St. John’s. Thank you to The founders, who had
vision and the desire to create a school that would provide
the best education possible for the young people of Guam,
who acquired the land and established the buildings and
tents that gave the school its humble beginnings. Thank
you to The members of all previous BOT, who understood
they were trustees, not owners of the school and gave
freely of their time, talents, dedication, and in many
cases financial assistance to help the school grow. Thank
you to all of the teachers who have given so much love
and worked tirelessly to provide students with an education
that enabled them to pursue excellence in a variety of
areas. Thank you to the alumni, who have demonstrated
their commitment for the principles upon which St. John’s
was founded. Thank you to the parents who have sacrificed
so much to give their children an opportunity to grow
beyond what otherwise would be possible and who trusted
us with the education of their priceless children. And
most of all Thank you to the students, who through your
efforts, growth, successes, and development give meaning
to what we do. Thank you to all.
At this time I would like to focus this talk on what I
believe is the true foundation of a St. John’s education.
Many people think of St. John’s as a demanding academic
school where all day long students are subjected to tyrannical
teachers giving boring lectures, tons of homework, difficult
examinations, and outrageously demanding writing assignments.
And when those assignments turned in they are graded according
to some unattainable standard. While an exaggeration,
yes, to a certain extent that perception has some basis
in reality. For the development of academic talents by
experiencing a rigorous program is one of the foundations
of this school. You have benefited from that experience,
for you are (or at least should be) a very well educated
group of young men and women. I would not presume to lecture
you on mathematics, literature, composition, history,
or philosophy since you most probably know much more than
I.
However, I am firmly convinced that the development of
individual character is, without question, the most important
part of the St. John’s experience. Character development
is an interesting process. It can be taught in classrooms
and the elements memorized and recited. Unfortunately
that is not really a very effective method, because character
is not something that is easily measured by written tests
or essays. Character traits are those things that determine
our persona and how we interact with others and are learned
by living. Tests of character are encountered all during
our lives; and other people as well as ourselves grade
us based on our words and actions. We see examples of
others and learn, both good and bad from them. It is up
to each individual to determine right from wrong and decide
which path to follow. We hope that the things you have
learned here have prepared you to choose the path you
follow wisely.
Of all the human characteristics the one I hope that you
all treasure and incorporate into your beings is INTEGRITY.
Integrity is a simple concept; it means to be honest and
truthful in all you do. Integrity is more that just one
of many characteristics we possess; it is the foundation
of a sound character and the keystone of all other virtues.
Integrity is the cement without which all other redeeming
features are fractured and without anchor. A person lacking
integrity may be kind, witty, talented, intelligent, and
very capable, but the strength of character is lacking
and, as a result, we are unable to develop relationships
based on trust.
For honesty builds trust in one another, and trust is
the glue that holds individual relationships and on larger
scale societies together. Humans are social beings, and
by working together people are capable of greatness. Individuals
who are unable to trust one another can accomplish little.
For society is an intricate organizational structure of
interrelated relationships. When we are able to trust
one another the structure is sound. When trust is violated
the structure is weakened and if the level of trust drops
enough, the structure collapses. The examples of ENRON,
WORLDCOM, WATERGATE, and others closer to home demonstrate
clearly what can happen when trust is violated.
Oliver Wendell Holmes said, “Lying damages people.
Those who lie subtly allow themselves to become trapped
into hiding truth through a cycle of deceit. Thereby destroying
their self-image and credibility.”
Here I speak for myself based on what happened to me this
year. Things have been said about me that are not true
and based upon, lies, misrepresentations, innuendo, and
rumor. Those lies have damaged my professional reputation,
career and personal life. So, I urge you to consider the
damage that lies can cause and use my experience as another
reason to be honest in dealing with others. To those who
stood by me and believed in me thank you, for those of
you who believe the lies, I suggest you re-evaluate your
opinion of the people who told them to you, because you
were mislead. For those of you who created the lies, shame
on you. What you did is wrong.
On the other hand honesty, since it is based on truth,
needs no falsely created support. The old saying “The
truth shall set you free” has great validity. For
in the final analysis the ultimate judge of your integrity
is you. To be able to look yourself in the mirror and
know that you have been honest will provide you with strength
and peace of mind that cannot be taken from you.
My greatest hope for you is that you live your lives with
integrity and honor. For, know this, truth has a basis
in reality, no matter how it is hidden, ignored, twisted,
and spun, ultimately the truth will come out.
Finally I would like turn to the legacy of the Class of
2004, and to acknowledge some of what I have learned from
you. For we go back a few years and your road has not
always been a perfectly smooth one. Here are a few lessons
you have taught me:
1. A group of people from different backgrounds and different
beliefs can learn to appreciate each other and go even
farther to actively embrace others’ differences
as being of value.
2. When mistakes are made (and you have made some doozies)
face up to them, take responsibility, accept the consequences
of your mistakes, learn from them, and move on.
3. Hard work does pay off for it helps you develop your
talents to a greater degree.
4. Perhaps the most important lessons you have taught
me are these three; that it is OK to care about others.
It is important to raise your voices in protest when you
feel injustice has occurred. And it is right to show compassion
to those in need.
For those lessons I thank you. Through your words and
actions you have demonstrated the best of what we hope
you have learned in your time at St. John’s and
in doing so validate what we as educators live for. That
is what I will hold as your legacy.
Now it is time for us to say farewell. As we go our separate
ways I will be taking with me memories of you and so you
are now a part of me. I will remember you with fondness,
respect, and pride. If I may I would like to close with
a short prayer that speaks to those parting ways and expresses
my sentiments better than I.
May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
the rains fall soft upon your fields,
and, until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of his hand.
Congratulations to you all, thank you, and Goodbye.
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