Today’s grads are set up for success
The Northmont class of 2019 will graduate today, and we believe they are well prepared to succeed.
These students have grown up in a world much different than their parents and grandparents, where technology is in the forefront. We have provided our students with the opportunity to develop technology skills by making sure every student has an iPad to complete their work. However, Northmont students have developed skills beyond technology. We encourage students to develop the ability to represent themselves and their community in a positive manner. The students preparing for commencement exercises today are equipped to succeed.
There is great hope for the future. The students I will see walk across the stage to receive their diploma have achieved incredible accomplishments academically. They received over $5 million in scholarships because they worked hard in challenging courses. A growing number of students are taking advanced placement courses and college courses while still in high school. At Northmont, most students take these courses at our high school, allowing them to be kids first and receive the high school experience they deserve.
What is the high school experience? Our high school students learned and actively shared strategies with our younger learners during class presentations on how to cope with stress and make decisions that are positive and show empathy for their fellow classmates. They learned how to present themselves in a positive manner.
This year our students worked with our professional educators to develop strategies to reduce hunger in many of our school buildings and over the weekends. Students participated as active citizens by having a voice in sharing with elected officials how to make schools safer. They know that eye contact and a handshake are important to business owners and those who will hire them. Students were given opportunities to work on these skills in various classes above and beyond the standards that are tested for graduation.
The business community has stated clearly the skills they are looking for and we have taken that challenge seriously and so have our students.
A record 19 students from our business classes qualified for international competition by giving polished presentations to a panel of judges. In order to make it to out-of-state competition, the students submitted a 30-page paper and made a professional level presentation all while working as a team on their projects.
Leadership groups known as WEB and Link Crew were taught skills to welcome new students to the middle school and high school, again relying on the ability to present themselves well to others. These skills will serve them well and we are most hopeful they will stay in this great community through employment opportunities that blend the academic skills, technology skills, and the social skills needed to succeed. Congratulations class of 2019!