Turns out I never posted my 2021 speech. We had just come out of “distance learning” and were blessed to utilize Leigh High School to have our promotion while still having space for everyone to attend.
The build up to this promotion was pretty intense. Everyone had questions… students, staff, parents, me. Lots of people on very different sides of the coin regarding Covid. It was a very unique time.
Fortunately, at the end of the day, everything seemed to be okay. Our focus was ensuring our students had the safest, best promotion experience possible. This much-publicized hope/expectation really brought the community together for our students… and everything worked out great.
A good portion of the speech acknowledged our outgoing superintendent. Mrs. Coleman (like the superintendent before her and the superintendent after her) really poured her entire heart into the Union School District. This speech honored her work and tenure in USD.
Here’s the speech.
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Good Evening Everyone,
For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Todd Feinberg, and I have been privileged to have been the principal of Union Middle School for the past nine years. It is an honor to stand in front of you all today. Being here with each and everyone one of you means a great deal to me. I truly care about all of our Union Tigers. I hope you all will keep in touch.
The class of 2021. Here we are, minutes from finally being able to walk across the stage and begin your high school journey. Usually, I joke that we’re always a bit surprised that some of our 8th grader students were able to participate in this promotion ceremony. This year, however, I’m quite happy to share that the entire 8th grade class was eligible to participate. Congratulations Students.
Due to time constraints, I’m unable to share my usual diatribe-type sermon today for our promoting class and guests. Instead, let me just leave you with three words. Words that define what you’ve endured, where you are today, and what will be in your future. The three words are Determination, Compassion, and Vision.
The past 15 months, which accounts for approximately 10% of your life to date, have been challenging for all of us in many different ways. However, class of 2021, you’ve been determined to make it through.
On April 12th and again on May 10th, our campus began to feel like a school again. As we welcomed our students back, we were reminded of just how kind and compassionate this 8th grade class truly is, to themselves and to one another.
And as you move ahead to what lies next, please remember to keep your daily and long term goals within your vision. Stand for what’s right, for what you believe. Go be great.
I’ve shared this with your parents before... we almost didn’t have a promotion ceremony this year. No gowns. No amazing Leigh Football Field (thank you again to Leigh for allowing us to host our ceremony here). No classmates. No guests, limited to two or otherwise. Like last year’s unfortunate outcome in missing our chance to have an in-person promotion ceremony, this year came perilously close to the same result. Probably closer than any of you may realize.
But the reason we are able to be here, together, to celebrate your rather unique middle school journey is largely due to those three words I mentioned above: determination, compassion, and vision… and by the effort of one person. And while I never shy away from such accolades, I’m not referring to myself. I cannot take the credit for us all being here together today. Likewise, while our entire staff truly rebuilt the proverbial plane mid-flight this past school year, I’m not speaking about them either.
The individual I speak of has spent the past 15 months, almost from day one, determined to figure out ways to bring our students back on campus, recognizing how important in-person instruction is for our youth.
Their compassion for our students, staff, and school community is perhaps unparalleled. They are a large, often unrecognized, reason why our school district is beloved.
They have worked tirelessly to provide a vision of not only the “how” to make your return to campus this Spring happen, but the relentless “why” we needed to do so.
They have made Union School District their everything for the past six years. And without a doubt, without their leadership, we would not be here in-person to celebrate your promotion from 8th grade.
So, and I hope our 8th graders will join me by standing up and applauding, let’s please take a moment to recognize our superintendent, Denise Coleman, and wish her the best as ventures into the land of retirement.
Thank you.
And so, class of 2021, enjoy your ventures wherever they take you. Always be compassionate. Stay determined. Don’t lose sight of your goals, your vision. I trust your journey will be memorable.
Thank you once more to the class of 2021. We will miss you. Congratulations on your promotion.
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