Page 10 - Priorities #47 2010-June/July

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If you love what you do,
then it’s all worth it.
Taylor Eigsti
2010 Commencment Speaker
BPriory Graduates
Benedictine Square buzzed with Priory seniors as they adjusted their graduation robes and caps. Some laughed, some cried, all were excited as they lined up and began the ceremonial march to the legato and grace notes of bagpipes, heralding the Priory’s 50th graduation. 57 Priory seniors filed down to the Father Christopher field through the gauntlet of cameras flashes and joyous family and friends on a warm sunny Por- tola Valley Saturday.
A cool breeze whispered through the tent as Head of School, Tim Molak, wel- comed family and friends to the celebration. Mr. Molak gave a special acknowledge- ment to Jim Ruffo, class of 1961, the Priory’s very first graduating class.
Mr. Molak said that any sadness he feels for the loss of the seniors is replaced with the knowledge that “their legacy” will ripple out into “a world in need of their gifts.” He left the seniors and the audience with the wisdom of the four stages of life: “You believe in Santa Claus. You don’t believe in Santa Claus. You are Santa Claus. You look like Santa Claus.”
“Change is the only constant in life,” said student speaker Marisa Martinson. She said that unexpected changes, like the death of the Priory’s beloved Dr. John Erkman, while sad, helped them [seniors] learn how to cherish life and each other.
Ray Ross, student speaker, said that while the school is small, the students aren’t “too sheltered.” Unlike larger schools where students can hide in cliques, at the Priory, students must learn to work through differences to collaborate successfully.
Two-time Grammy nominated Jazz musician and 2002 Priory alum, Taylor Eigsti, was the commencement speaker.
“I know what some of you must be thinking...who in the world is Taylor Eigsti?” said Eigsti. “Who listens to Jazz music? Aren’t all jazz musicians broke?” On a more serious note, Eigsti recounted how, while at the Priory, he lost both his sister and father to cancer. Eigsti confided that he chose to live in the present moment, and no matter how difficult the reality, he wouldn’t let any tragedy prevent him from living his life to the fullest.
“A few years ago, I performed at Superbowl 40 in Detroit,” said Eigsti. “Had I chosen in 7th grade to turn into a different, darker, cynical person longing for the past, then perhaps I would have missed many amazing events.”
Eigsti implored the graduates to take themselves seriously and observed that ev- ery profession carries with it hardship and nonsense, but that “if you love what you do, then it’s all worth it.”
Taylor Eigsti ‘02, commencement speaker
Ray Ross, student speaker
Marisa Martinson, student speaker