It is my duty, and a great honor, as superintendent to "accept" the class of 2017 as prepared to graduate.
When you entered school, Facebook was exclusively for use by students and alums at Harvard. 14 years later, those pictures of you visiting your elementary schools that your parents and grandparents have "loved" and shared could reach a network of almost 2 billion people around the world.
Until you were in second or third grade there were no iPhones. Can you imagine that? Instagram came into being about the time you hit middle school. The selfies you and your friends take of these graduation celebrations will be just one of the 100 million pictures posted today on Instagram. Snapchat...well, let's not even go there.
14 years on, the world is a very different place, and so is the workplace. Technology changes every job and jobs exist now that we’d never even imagined a decade ago. However, some really important things shouldn’t change...your values, your character, your personal code. These things are what anchors us in the constantly, rapidly changing times.
You are Knights and part of the heritage of Knights is a historical word that represents this: chivalry. Chivalry has a beautiful definition in the Webster's: The combination of qualities expected of an ideal knight, especially courage, honor, courtesy, justice, and a readiness to help others in need.
Knights of the Middle Ages had the most current and important technology of the time...armor and horses. They had the only education available and the most resources and could use them in nearly any way they liked. The code of chivalry was a set of limitations which the strong placed upon themselves realizing that living a good example is a message far more powerful than written words.
Like those knights in shining armor hundreds of years ago, I wish for you to experience the satisfaction of knowing that you have championed the right causes and embraced the right principles, not because anyone told to do so, but simply because you have chosen to follow the path of courage...honor...courtesy...justice ...helping others.
Congratulations on your achievement my Oak Creek Knights. Welcome to the next adventure of your journey in life.
Tim Culver
Superintendent
