Page 10 - Priorities #31 2005-July

Woodside Priory School began its graduation of the class of 2005 on Saturday, May 28 at 10:00 a.m. with the traditional procession led by bagpipers, and concluded with the faculty “congratulations circle” on the basketball court and reception in the Gambetta Gymnasium.
The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, Steve Young, was the guest speaker speaker. He brought his four-year-old son and they sat together on the podium until time for Steve’s remarks to the graduating class. Young sponsors and supports a wide variety of charitable causes, most dealing with children. He told graduates about two great lessons he learned from football. First, he said, when you mess up, people don’t care about your reasons. Just say you did it, you are sorry, and here’s what you will do next to make it right. Second, he said, have faith that you can do what you can’t yet see. His football metaphor was learning to “throw blind” to a receiver he knew was there but who was blocked from his vision by some very large player on the other team.
Finally, he reminded the graduates to keep things in perspective. He relayed the story of being at the head of a parade in Disneyland’s Main Street, sharing a float with Jerry Rice and Mickey Mouse. The parade was to celebrate the pinnacle of Rice’s and Young’s professional success. But to two little boys watching from the sidelines, the exciting figure was the one with the big ears. “Let’s go see him!” one shouted. The other one held him by the shirt. “Don’t bother—those big guys won’t let you near him,” he said.
Student speakers were Inga Diederich, of Woodside (University of Chicago), and Jesse Lam- pert of Portola Valley (Stanford University).
“The best thing I can say about a Priory educa- tion is that it has made me question the extent of my own knowledge. Being here has broadened my horizons and shown me how much I still have to learn,” Inga said to the audience.
“Priory is much more than a school, she added. “One of its five values is community, and the Priory is built on the principle that everybody here is part of a community that extends beyond the classroom,” she said. The teachers, monks and Middle School have an equal part in that community and are a part of “what I do and what I am concerned with—in short, who I am,” she explained.
Famed SF 49ers quarterback Steve Young addressed the class of 2005, faculty and guests. For a video copy of this inspirational talk, contact the Priory.
Class of 2005