Things a High School Student would tell a Dare Graduate

By Jan Crocker

Speech given to DARE Graduates - Bunker School, 2004

I want you to know that we are all proud of you. But you know it is just the beginning, not the end. You are half way to adulthood and you have so many exciting experiences ahead of you.

I taught high school for many years and I want to share some thoughts with you. I want to share what I learned from my students.

1. The most successful high school students looked inside for guidance. They know that if something feels wrong, it probably is. As a very sage man once said, "nothing can make a wrong decision right." Your time spent in Dare has helped you practice what to do in important situations. What to say. Remember to use your words. They give you power.

2. Your Parents are your best friends. They know you are going to 7th grade and will have to become more independent. It is a little scary for you and a lot scary for your parents. When they want to hug you, let them. It makes them feel better. It might make you feel better too.

3. The world has people, who for some reason, are predators, users. They look nice, they often talk nice, but they are not interested in you. They are only interested in what they can get from you. The price they demand is too high for their friendship. Sometimes these people are your age, sometimes they are older but you can tell who they are because they are always selling something. Maybe it is how to be "COOL" or be their "FRIEND" or they may need you to tell them how "WONDERFUL" they are. But in the end their interest is not in who you are. They are only interested in what you can do for them.

4. Friends, true friends, are the greatest gift. You can tell a friend because when you do something stupid (and you will, we all do) they tell you and are still your friend. True friends like the real you.

5. Junior high is a great place. You get to travel to 6 different classes and have the chance to learn from many teachers. Some of your teachers will be "way different" than any teacher you have met. My high school students have told me that some of their best teachers are "way different". You will learn that teachers are teaching because they love children and want to help them learn new and exciting things.

6. To be truly successful, you need to find your passion. It may change from one year to the next, but if something interests you, spend time exploring that interest. You never know where it will lead. The most successful and happy people I know have followed their passion and dreams.

I could go on, but that is enough for today. I want to leave you a little trick that can help you in difficult situations. It is based on the truth that we all need hugs but sometimes can't get one when we need it.

So follow me. First raise you thumb. Right or left, it doesn't matter. Now close your eyes and think about putting yourself into hat thumb. That's right, you are the thumb. Now think about your fingers. The pointer finger is your closest family. Your second finger is your friends. Your third finger is Bunker and all the people who work here, your teacher, your principle, your classmates. Your little finger is the Newark community officer Boga', your neightbors.

Now when things get scary or tough and a hug would be nice, put yourself into your thumb and wrap your fingers around it. Feel the hug.! ! Feel the warmth of your support people and know that things will be alright.