By Bill Barth
A career in journalism involves, over many years, attending lots of high school and college graduations.
This year was personal, taking Stephanie and I to Altamonte Springs, Florida, for granddaughter Cate’s graduation from Lake Brantley High School. Like every grandparent, we beamed with pride watching her walk the stage. She’s a bright student, planning to study business and finance (like her mom). She’s a talented athlete, earning a softball scholarship to play ball at a school in South Carolina.
I could brag all day about Cate. Granddads are like that. But let’s switch gears.
A common refrain these days asserts there’s something dreadfully wrong with America’s young people. They are lazy and unable to focus. They are impertinent and disrespectful. All they care about is electronic devices. They don’t have what it takes to build better lives than their parents. Mom and dad can’t even get them to leave the nest. They’re too anxious and fearful to try out their own wings.
We found the Lake Brantley experience – the ceremony was held at the University of Central Florida, to accommodate 700-plus seniors and their families – illuminating, inspiring and a sharp counterpoint to the negative narrative about kids.
That is not – repeat, not – intended to be read as a backhanded swipe against Beloit Memorial, Beloit Turner, South Beloit, Hononegah, Janesville, Clinton, Parkview or any other public system in our region. It’s not a zero sum situation. Praise for one experience is not criticism for another.
In many ways Lake Brantley High School is a microcosm of America. Demographically, it’s about half White and half minority, with Latinos making up the largest share of the latter. It’s one of 19 high schools in Seminole County and ranks a little above the middle among Florida schools, outperforming 53% of state high schools. Like most American schools, it struggles to lift up historically underrepresented students, underperforming 75% of Florida institutions. Readiness ratings, though, are well above average for college-bound students. The school tops state averages in language and science, but lags in math.
In other words, Lake Brantley is not a special school academically. Good, but not elite.
Here’s what moved us.
Spirit and decorum.
With 700-plus kids one might expect some embarrassing moments. No. Filing in and filing out the kids were both enthusiastic and polite. They were quiet when they should be, and loud when the time was right. The word orderly comes to mind.
Student speakers were surprisingly deep and exceptionally comfortable and skilled while conveying messages that landed, not only with the kids but also with adults. One speaker even talked about the perception of being spoiled, and how students can step up to make the world better.
Lake Brantley’s sports teams are the Patriots, and there was a sense throughout the evening that students knew the deeper meaning of that word and embraced it.
Officials and faculty members addressing the students – notably Principal Brian Blasewitz, who was particularly impressive – expressed joy and pride, but made clear high expectations are part of the deal.
And it was impossible to miss the sheer size of the crowd – parents, grandparents and no doubt, in today’s America, step-parents, step-grandparents and all the other variations – wildly cheering their loved ones. There is no substitute for loving encouragement.
Here’s what was on display. Respectful kids who had reached a milestone in life, ready to transition as productive adults. Authority figures who create an environment of expectations with both a firm hand and loving arms. Families that are invested in their kids’ success.
It’s a formula that worked for generations of young people in America. It’s a formula that can work today.
There’s no magic. No place is perfect. Kids come in all colors, sizes and backgrounds. Some have advantages. Some don’t.
But all have potential.
Adults in every community have the responsibility to foster that potential by providing the resources and guidance necessary to direct students on the path toward becoming independent, competent adults.
Remember that, when you are tempted to condemn a school or system as a failure. In a very real sense it’s not the students or the school that are failing. It’s the community. It’s all of us. A smart, judgmental mouth is no more attractive – or helpful – on an adult than it is on a kid.
Steph and I came away from Florida thinking the kids are doing better than a lot of folks think. They’re better equipped to meet challenges than popular opinion suggests. The future is not yet written. These kids will be its author, and maybe we should spend more time helping them and less time criticizing them.
Bill Barth is the former Editor of the Beloit Daily News, and a member of the Wisconsin Newspaper Hall of Fame. Write to him at bbarth@beloitdailynews.com.
