Day 2-86 -- Another Year End Banquet

We celebrated at the year end banquet tonight. While we have 1-1/2 weeks left of term, we gathered to reflect on the accomplishments of the past academic year. There was a great turnout of students from across all four years. The program was fun and the meal delightful. Awards and scholarships were presented and professional rings distributed. Tributes to faculty members were heart-warming and also made us laugh.

This made me think back over all the academic endings throughout my career -- from elementary school to high school, from undergraduate to graduate degree programs. and of course, all of the year ends during my time teaching. Early in my school days, each year end meant that some students and teachers were moving on, a sad and happy event depending on perspective. When one of those departing students was me, there were feelings of sadness, excitement and fear as I moved on to something new and unknown. Those mixed emotions bring to mind the Chinese character for change, which actually consists of two characters -- danger and opportunity. That is what taking that leap into the unknown felt like to me. I also found it sad to be leaving favourite teachers and professors. As one of those educators now, I find it difficult to see students leave, but am excited for them to begin their careers and live their lives -- still feeling mixed emotions it seems <smile>. 

The selection for today is a song that comes to me often near the end of the school year. It is performed by a British singer from the '60s and the lyrics say a lot to me about those special people who help us to grow and develop. Enjoy! 

To Sir, With Love -- Lulu