FOR TAMMY AND HER FRIENDS

Do you know what an S-U-M-P-I-T (spelled out) is? That’s ‘sumpit’ (pronounced ‘soom pete’), a makeshift weapon, much used in my classroom some years back. A weapon? In the classroom? – you may ask. It’s like this …

When I was but a high school teeny bopper, we just loved playing tricks on our teachers (Over the years, not much seems to have changed.). We enjoyed that, either because the teacher was so ‘game’ and approachable, or he or she was cranky or plain boring. One of my more daring classmates would then get his ‘sumpit’ ready. He’d hold his empty BIC ballpoint pen tube, take one from the ready supply of small seeds (that served as pellets) from his pocket or pencil case, and inserted the seed into the tube. When the right moment came, that is, when the victim was facing the chalkboard, he’d hold his ‘sumpit’ up to his mouth, and with the wider opening next to his lips, aim at the clueless figure, and blow! Then out would go the pellet and … BULL’S EYE! The startled teacher would turn his back to the chalkboard and, often enough, would see 25 equally guilty faces or equally innocent ones …

One’s high school years are usually punctuated with mischief – some deeds graver than others. Whether it is with fondness and laughter that you recall an incident, or remembering it makes you blush or nearly faint with embarrassment, consider one thing: Mischief is reasonably seen as connected with immaturity. You would not want to stay in that ‘sumpit’ stage.

In connection with this, allow me to share with you three ideas and accompanying pieces of advice.

First, after high school graduation, time flies even more quickly. Learn to savor the moments with those you love and care about. College may pull you out of the home. Make sure you regularly visit your family, and that your time with your parents and siblings is always well-spent … You have friends in one another. College life will provide you with opportunities for even more. The next few years are extremely demanding academic years. Learn to be true friends to your friends. In this way, the needed moral support will be there to make things work. Remember: Time will begin to fly more quickly.

Second, at 18, it is quite common not to know for certain what career you’d like to pursue. THINK: What do I seem to really want? NOT: What do Mom and Dad want for me? I do not intend to look down on what your parents have to say. After all, it is they who saw you grow up. They are witnesses to your strengths and limitations. To a large extent, they are aware of your interests and aptitudes. And most importantly, what they want is what is best for you. Better said – what they think is best for you. You should consider their advice as extremely invaluable. But ultimately, what should matter the most is what YOU want. A word of caution here, though -- Don’t commit the mistake committed often enough – basing one’s decision on what appears to be or not to be lucrative. For many people, what comes out most lucrative is what they REALLY enjoy doing. The passion for their occupation results in competence, initiative and creativity, and their work ends up excellent and well rewarded! After all, isn’t there immeasurable value in work well-done?

Now to the third and final point -- you will discover a higher level of freedom. I don’t mean license to do whatever you feel like doing. I mean your realizing that you have a GREAT capacity to see what is good for you – not just apparently good, but truly good – and to behave accordingly. Never lose sight of the fact that every act of yours has consequences. For example, choosing to eat twenty cups of your favorite ice cream flavor one after another could send you to the bathroom all night. Or deciding to stay in the dorm and study, and not to go out with friends during final exams week, could mean your passing the course instead of having to repeat it. Taking the road to maturity entails learning to use your freedom with a sense of responsibility. Reflect. There is much to gain from doing that. At the same time, learn to seek advice from people who will help you make sound decisions and catch you when you fall. Do not be so proud as to think you can always manage on your own. For me, that has been the greatest challenge. I urge you to squarely face that challenge! I am confident you are prepared to do that.

Since this is getting quite long, I think I’d better wrap it up. Tammy, time has really gone by very quickly. February 4, 1987 seems like yesterday. Since then, I am sure you have had to hurdle countless things -- some successfully, others, not. Let your experience of those successes spur you on to try even harder. Many good things await you. Identify them well and go for them! Prayers of those who love you are going your way! A big hug to you!

To you, Tammy, and your classmates, a BIG, FAT CONGRATULATIONS!!!

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