Superintendent's Message to the Class of 2025: A Million Dreams

Good afternoon to the Hudson High School Class of 2025. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to congratulate you, and welcome all our guests who have taken time to join us! Today is a special day!

These past few weeks, days, and even moments have been filled with both reflection and anticipation. We’ve looked back at the journey that brought you here. And now, seniors—the Class of 2025; you stand on the edge of something new. We are all eager to see what unfolds as your dreams become reality. 

As your superintendent, I have held a unique role in your lives. Granted, to some of you I may be bit of an enigma, a mere presence always in the background. But I have been here since you took those first steps in your formal education. From my seat in the balcony it has been a thrill to cheer you on and it has been an absolute joy to watch your grow from tiny young people to the impressive individuals you are today, ready to shape the world. 

Indeed, I can remember watching, as you ran around our gym—not yet old enough for school, without a care in the world, and wondering what mark you would make on the world.  

There was also the time I took a phone call from your parents before the first day of kindergarten. They were worried about where the bus would stop and anxious about whether or not we would be able to get you safely to and from school. 

I also saw you that day in the nurse’s office, with tears in your eyes from an injury on the playground. 

Then along with your parents, I held my breath on the day you got your school permit. 

I’ve shared in your triumph and beamed with pride when you were selected to All-State, competed in the state tournament or qualified for the Drake Relays. We have had a remarkable journey together. While watching you over the years, I’ve often wondered what your dreams are for the future. What will you become? How will you leave your mark on the world? 

So then we arrive together, one final time: at today. Today you stand on the precipice of possibility, poised to embark on a journey as unique and compelling as the dreams within each of you. 

For most of your young lives, this school has been your home. Within these walls and amidst the rhythm of each academic year, we’ve watched as your dreams have begun to take form. Some of you had clear visions, unwavering from your earliest of recollections. Many found their passions gradually, whether it was a spark ignited by an engaging lesson in the CAPS program, or finally mastering the hand-eye coordination that is so crucial to a successful welding career. 

Think back on your time here with us. What was your spark? Was it simply navigating the journey from the junior high to the high school for 8th grade algebra? Maybe it was the exhilaration felt with the curtain parting and the lights coming up on the stage? Or perhaps it was finally understanding the nuances of conversational Spanish? All of these aspirations in their own way have been woven into the fabric of your growth and have helped determine who you are. And now as we gather here this afternoon those aspirations have coalesced into something magnificent—the potential to turn those dreams to reality. 

Consider the dreams that are now within your reach. Some may envision careers that reshape industries, innovate sustainable solutions, or to become a doctor that tends to the vulnerable. Perhaps you dream of artistic expression—finding your home at the potter’s wheel or performing melodies that stir the soul. Others of you will be called to service, taking the noble path of education or social justice, eager to make a difference in the lives of others. 

Yet, I encourage you to be flexible for the dreams that you have today are not static entities. They will evolve and adapt as you encounter new experiences beyond our walls. Outside this institution, there will be moments of uncertainty and detours that were never anticipated. Yet it is in these moments that the strength of your dreams will be tested, and ultimately revealed. 

Our journey together ends today. When you pass through those doors one final time together here momentarily, what happens next will be up to you. I know the world can be a big scary place! But remember the lessons that we have taught you. We’ve taught you to question, analyze, collaborate, and persevere in the face of adversity. Not only do you have the academic skills to succeed, you have the essential tools that will be necessary to navigate the complexities of life and to actively shape your future. Approach your dreams with intention, dedication, and a willingness to learn and grow. 

So then, as you look toward the horizon and the dreams you have beyond these walls, I encourage you to acknowledge your shared journey and experience during these formative years. You have laughed together, celebrated together, and grieved together. This class is bound by a unique set of experiences, memories that will be forever etched in your minds and hearts. It is with that sense of poignant reflection that the memory of your absent classmate will forever be part of your story. As you step into adulthood, carry those memories with you and allow them to inspire you to live your own dreams with greater purpose and meaning. 

Your future beyond Hudson High School is one of unprecedented change and opportunity. Technology is rapidly changing and reshaping our known paradigm. Global challenges demand innovative solutions, and the interconnectedness of society calls for empathy and understanding. Therefore, your dreams cannot exist in a vacuum; they must instead be informed by a sense of responsibility, and a commitment to make the world a better place for generations to come.

So then, today is an important milestone. It marks both and ending and a beginning. We have taken you as far as we can on this part of your life’s great adventure. Welcome to the great unknown. I realize it is both exciting and scary at the same time. But you are ready! Remember the power of connection. The relationships you have formed here will continue to be invaluable sources of support and inspiration. Stay in touch with one another—celebrate each other’s successes and offer comfort during times of difficulty. 

Yes, today our time together ends. But you are ready. The diplomas you will receive momentarily are not merely pieces of paper; they are symbols of your dedication, hard work, and the potential that resides in each one of you. They are a testament to the dreams that have been nurtured and the futures you are poised to create.

As you leave our care, I hope you do so with gratitude for the past, courage for the present, and an unwavering belief in the power of your dreams. Your world awaits, so go Class of 2025 and weave your own extraordinary threads into the ever-unfolding tapestry of the future. 

Congratulations and good luck. It has been a thrill to watch you grow up!

Can You Believe It?

It's almost a cliché, that collective gasp of "Can you believe it's already [insert month]?" We see it parodied everywhere, like in Jimmy Kimmel's opening monologues where he playfully mocks the utter astonishment people express at the calendar turning. He often follows this up with clips of local news anchors earnestly exclaiming, "Can you believe it, it's already..." And yet, despite the humorous repetition, there's a genuine feeling that resonates as another school year draws to a close. It truly does feel like just yesterday the school buses were making their first rounds. Can you believe it? The school year is almost over. Yes, I can certainly believe it. We have experienced much together this school year.

I don't really think it's a 'Can you believe its already....' but rather an acknowledgement that if we're not paying attention, we will wake up one day and wonder where all the time went. I do often remind our employees to make sure they take advantage of each and every day, because before we know it the school year will have evaporated. Even today, with just a little less than three weeks remaining I continue to remind our staff to keep their eye on the ball and to take advantage of each precious remaining minute of instruction. 

There is no doubt that we are on the final approach and the runway is coming up fast. Indeed, we'll bid farewell to the Class of 2025 this Sunday and final exams are underway for our older students. Pirate term starts very soon and there is a palpable excitement in the air for the promise that summer will bring. 

As the final papers are graded and our students (and teachers) begin the countdown of days that bring the promise of summer fun and flexible schedules, it's natural to take a breath and reflect on the journey that we've navigated together. Indeed, at the beginning of the school year none of us could have imagined the complexities and challenges this school year would bring. We've witnessed profound moments of growth, sparks of intellectual curiosity, and deep sadness. In this school year, we've faced unexpected obstacles and moments of frustration, uncertainty, and perhaps even hopelessness. It's in this intricate blend of highs and lows where the true essence of a school year lies. 

The point is this: during our opening convocation at the beginning of the school year I try to paint with a broad brush the hope and promise that a new school year brings. I wrote this in my opening address: 

The start of a new school year is like a blank canvas stretching before us, ready to be filled with the endless possibilities and dreams of our students. My dream is for all Hudson students to leave here with the skills and tools they will need to transform our world for the better. I feel confident that our students will succeed in the future because of the hard work and dedication of our teachers and staff. The work they are putting in today will enable students to fulfill their dreams tomorrow. 

As we close out this school year that canvas is blank no more. I do hope the lessons that were learned this year provide for reflection and contemplation. Hopefully the knowledge gained and the relationships that were formed will continue to shape all our students as they contemplate their future dreams. Let us celebrate the journey while acknowledging the challenges we have overcome. This year that is ending in just a few short weeks will continue to shape us all. Then we can look forward with anticipate to the opportunities that lie ahead, armed with the wisdom and resilience gained from this school year.