Palmer Trinity School

M E S S A G E F R O M T H E H E A D O F S C H O O L 3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 7 PAT R I C K R O B E R T S H E A D O F S C H O O L Congratulations, Class of 2017! As we gather to celebrate you today, please know that I recognize the simple fact that I am the only one standing between you and those doors, leading you to your next adventure. I promise to be brief, and I say "thank you" for this opportunity. If you recall, I was asked to speak to your class a few months ago and offer a few tips for your college planning, and next steps after graduation. In those brief 10 minutes, I shared with you 5 simple pieces of personal advice that I hoped would resonate with you. Recognizing that it was early in the day and early in the semester, I would like to share with you today those 5 thoughts again—a little more formally, and in greater detail. Please remember these are my own observations, and are based only on a relatively short life span of 47 years. Offering #1 – Don't oversleep. Whether you realize it or not, you are about to have more free time than you may ever have experienced before. Depending upon your class schedule and what you decide to do in terms of extracurricular activities, you will be completely left to your own devices. For most of you, this will be the very first time in which you must be in charge of getting yourself up and ready for the day, and setting the schedule for those 24 hours, 7 days a week; 10,080 minutes to be exact! 10,080 minutes. Offering #2 – Get involved. Beyond choosing what you will focus on in your course of study, I encourage you to search for meaningful moments. Whatever you choose to become involved with—be it an independent study, intramural athletics, fraternity or sorority life, volunteer service, student government, whatever—make sure you explore the possibilities beyond the classroom. Offering #3 – Find a mentor. Mentors are everywhere around you: your teachers, coaches, advisors, or family friends. Many of you have already developed strong relationships with folks whom you chat with regularly. Remember: finding a person who truly cares about you and your future is a wonderful gift, and it behooves you to cultivate that relationship. Offering #4 – Become a lifelong learner. Parents, friends, and faculty, I implore you, please don't throw anything at me or get the pitchforks out just yet, but Class of 2017, hear me when I say that it is the PURSUIT of learning that is so important, and not necessarily the final result. Offering #5 – Choose to be positive. You choose your attitude every day, plain and simple. Playwright Tom Stoppard encourages us to do the following, noting that: "A healthy attitude is contagious, but don't wait to catch it from others... Be a carrier." And so, Class of 2017, that's my last bit of advice to you, before you walk out these doors today, diplomas in hand, with celebrations soon to begin. I hope you can use these 5 short lessons as you develop your own set of rules and perspectives along your journey. However, I also hope that, most importantly, you know just how grateful I am for each of you. As we say in my hometown of Nashville, I am "proud to know ya!" You have made our School a better place, and you have enriched my life, and the life of the Roberts Family, with your presence. ank you. ank You, Class of 2017. Your positive spirit and your genuine commitment to the ideals of our school are of the highest order, and our entire community owes you a great debt of thanks for leading us so capably this school year. And, always remember, You may leave Palmer Trinity, but Palmer Trinity will never leave you. EXCERPTS FROM PATRICK ROBERTS' GRADUATION SPEECH (YOU CAN FIND THE ENTIRE SPEECH AT WWW.PALMERTRINIT Y.ORG/HEADSCORNER)

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