To the Grant High School Class of 2015,

Congratulations on finishing high school. You have completed an important phase in your life and have much to be proud of. The faculty and staff at Grant are also proud of your accomplishment and excited to see what the future holds for each of you.

My own kids graduated from Grant and I was also a teacher at the school for nine years. I know from firsthand experience: “Once a General, always a General.” Returning to Grant as the principal has been an honor and a highlight of my 30-year career in education.

I am grateful for having the opportunity to get to know many of you. Most of you have spent the past four years experiencing what it means to be a General, and some of you have lived in the Grant neighborhood your entire life. I hope you take with you the best parts of this community: care and concern for others, a lifelong passion for learning and the belief that you can make a difference.

Be thankful. Make sure to thank the teachers, coaches, advisors and staff who have helped you in some way these past four years. It is one of the most gratifying moments for a staff member to be recognized by a student as someone who made a difference in their lives. Be sure to thank your family and friends who have helped you through difficult times these past four years
and who have stood by you even when your choices were not the best.

Steve Jobs, the late founder of Apple, once said: “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.”

Set your own priorities and measure your own success. There will be challenges along the way and most likely you will experience failure. Failure is a learning experience that can make you stronger, better, more knowledgeable and more resilient.

Never stop learning. For athletes, there is always a new goal to be set, a farther distance, a faster speed or a harder race. In life, you are running your own race. You have or soon will have your own goals and will work toward a future. It is important to always have goals that push you out of your comfort zone and require you to learn something new.

Whatever your postsecondary plans are, my advice is to include opportunities for new experiences. You may find your true passion.

Congratulations, seniors. I am looking forward to your success and am honored to be able to participate in the celebration of your achievement. Please keep in touch. We love to hear about your experiences. Remember, you are a lifelong member of the Grant community. Go Generals!

Carol Campbell, Principal