The following is a copy of the speech that was delivered Saturday to the graduating seniors of Kennedale High School by retiring James Arthur Principal Danny Greenfield (Class of 1972).
“Thank you Emily and it?s true. I really don?t know what I am going to do next. I try not to think about it too much because it?s a little overwhelming. And I am probably addressing a group of students who know exactly what I mean. {{more}}But you know what; I bet we both are going to be just fine. What I do know is that I am humbled to start a new chapter in my life by congratulating the 2015 KISD Graduating Seniors for a job well done and wishing you the best as you begin a new chapter and adventure in your life.
Make it a good day! If you went to James A. Arthur you may remember that at the end of the morning announcements I would say, “Make it a good day.” It wasn?t always that way. When I first started as principal I would end the announcements by saying “Have a good day.” Leta Leisure, my counselor for a number of years, suggested I change it to “Make it a good day.” It makes sense. When you say have a good day it leaves room for luck. But when you say make it a good day, you are the person who determines the kind of day you have.
Make it a good day. You did that at JAA for two years. In 2009 we received a National Academic Award called Just for The Kids. The sixth grade band earned a first division trophy at Sandy Lake. Many of you were involved in two awesome musicals, “Seussical, Jr.” and “Once Upon a Mattress.” Last week I watched your Camp Grady Spruce video. Johnson?s Peak, you conquered! Devil?s Island, you conquered! The Achy Breaky Heart line dance, you — well — let?s just say, I?ve never seen it done in such a unique way. The world?s largest puzzle is hanging in our foyer. Did it involve math, reading or science? Probably not, but it was fun, it provided a memorable goal for students and staff, and as a TEAM we made it happen!
Make it a good day! The fact that you are being honored today tells all of us that you did just that after leaving James Arthur. Individual and team accomplishments are numerous. It was about four years ago when I first heard that Kennedale had a shot at earning the Lone Star Cup. I had no idea what that was. My first thought was that it had something to do with horse racing. For those of you who might not have heard of the Lone Star Cup, it is perhaps the most distinguished award a district can earn. It is based on points awarded for both academic and extracurricular accomplishments throughout the year. I believe that Kennedale will earn the Lone Star Cup in the near future, and when we do, you need to give yourselves a pat on the back. You have raised the bar and set a standard for students who follow in your footsteps. The Can Do Attitude and Wildcat Spirit you have exhibited while at Kennedale High school will inspire others.
Make it a good day? Yes, you have done that. So now what? I wish I could tell you the hard part is over, but we all know there are going to be challenges ahead. How you approach the each challenge will determine who you are next year, 5 years, 20 years, or even 43 years from today.”
Years ago we had sixth grade graduations at JAA. Students would get all dressed up and then I would make them sit on the cafeteria floor. It just doesn?t get any more special than that. I would close with a poem. It would be a symbolic full circle for me if you would allow me to share that poem with you. I believe it has a message for everyone in this auditorium, whether you are the graduating senior ready to embark on an incredible new journey, or you are the parent, grandparent, relative, or friend, cheering them on from the side. The name of the poem is called The Race.”
The Race attributed to Dr. D.H. “Dee” Groberg
Whenever I start to hang my head in front of failure?s face, my downward fall
is broken by the memory of a race.
A children?s race, young boys, young men; how I remember
well, excitement sure,
but also fear, it wasn?t hard to tell.
They all lined up so full of hope, each thought to win that
race or tie for first,
or if not that, at least take second place.
Their parents watched from off the side, each cheering for
their son, and each boy hoped
to show his folks that he would be the one.
The whistle blew and off they flew, like chariots of fire, to win, to be the
hero there, was each young boy?s desire.
One boy in particular, whose dad was in the crowd, was running in the
lead and thought ?My dad will be so proud.?
But as he speeded down the field and crossed a shallow dip, the little boy who
thought he?d win, lost his step and slipped.
Trying hard to catch himself, his arms flew everyplace, and midst the
laughter of the crowd he fell flat on his face.
As he fell, his hope fell too; he couldn?t win it now. Humiliated, he
just wished to disappear somehow.
But as he fell his dad stood up and showed his anxious face, which to the boy
so clearly said, ?Get up and win that race!?
He quickly rose, no damage done, behind a bit that?s all, and ran with all
his mind and might to make up for his fall.
So anxious to restore himself, to catch up and to win, his mind went
faster than his legs. He slipped and fell again.
He wished that he had quit before with only one disgrace. ?I?m hopeless as a
runner now, I shouldn?t try to race.?
But through the laughing crowd he searched and found his
father?s face with a steady look
that said again, ?Get up and win that race!?
So he jumped up to try again, ten yards behind the last. ?If I?m to gain
those yards,? he thought, ?I?ve got to run real fast!?
Exceeding everything he had, he regained eight, then ten… but trying hard to
catch the lead, he slipped and fell again.
Defeat! He lay there silently. A tear dropped from his eye. ?There?s no sense
running anymore! Three strikes I?m out! Why try?
I?ve lost, so what?s the use?? he thought. ?I?ll live with
my disgrace.? But then he
thought about his dad, who soon he?d have to face.
?Get up,? an echo sounded low, ?you haven?t lost at all, for all you have
to do to win is rise each time you fall.
Get up!? the echo urged him on, ?Get up and take your place! You were not meant
for failure here! Get up and win that race!?
So, up he rose to run once more, refusing to forfeit, and he resolved
that win or lose, at least he wouldn?t quit.
So far behind the others now, the most he?d ever been, still he gave it
all he had and ran like he could win.
Three times he?d fallen stumbling, three times he rose
again. Too far behind to
hope to win, he still ran to the end.
They cheered another boy who crossed the line and won first
place, head high and
proud and happy — no falling, no disgrace.
But, when the fallen youngster crossed the line, in last
place, the crowd gave him
a greater cheer for finishing the race.
And even though he came in last with head bowed low,
unproud, you would have
thought he?d won the race, to listen to the crowd.
And to his dad he sadly said, ?I didn?t do so well.? ?To me, you won,?
his father said. ?You rose each time you fell.?
And now when things seem dark and bleak and difficult to face, the memory of thatlittle boy helps me in my own race.
For all of life is like that race, with ups and downs and
all. And all you have
to do to win is rise each time you fall.
And when depression and despair shout loudly in my face, another voice
within me says, ?Get up and win that race!?
