School’s Out
Congratulations to the graduating class of 2020. It was a lot of hard work, but you finally made it, so give yourselves a pat on the back.
“…No more pencils, no more books, no more teacher’s dirty looks. School’s out for summer, out ‘til fall, we might not come back at all. School’s out forever.” (School’s Out – Alice Cooper –1972)
As much as I like Alice Cooper – I mean, how could you not admire a guy who’s best known for biting the head off of a live chicken during a concert performance, or was it a bat? Well, the rumors are out there.
This year’s graduation was like no other on this mountain or anywhere else, due to all the restrictions related to the ongoing, but seemingly waning, Coronavirus. It was a school year that, since mid-March, had been filled with virtual, distance, online learning at home. Youngsters in all grades missed out on all of the end-of-year traditions, such as the kindergartners running through the sprinklers on the last day of school, the student barbecues, fifth-grade lake float, prom night, senior hallway walks and a normal graduation ceremony, all of which were “tossed out the window.”
Instead of lining up and walking across the football field to shake hands with the principal, while receiving their diplomas, there was a caravan of balloon-festooned cars crossing the field. How disappointing, but unique, that must have been for those who worked so hard to graduate.
To add insult to injury, with a quarter of the population out of work, the prospect of getting a summer job, or any kind of job at all, seems rather bleak. Those heading to college may be facing the same distance-learning that they experienced at Rim High, not to mention the same bleak job prospects after graduation. Let’s just hope and pray that a vaccine against this evil pandemic is discovered soon and all this COVID-19 business goes away.
Kids, listen to me, for those of you not signing up for college, in today’s dire job market you’re going to need more than a high school diploma if you want to survive in today’s tough global economy. But consider this: There are advantages to choosing a two-year community college or technical school. Beginning pay for graduates with degrees in dental hygiene are averaging $55,000 a year and computer programing $49,000, while a fire science degree can get you $48,000, plus overtime pay. And they’re not paying back hundreds of thousands for student loans for a state college or university. Something to think about, eh?
In the meantime, for those who have yet to finish high school, have a very fine summer, find yourself a summer love and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.
“I’ll see you in September, see you when the summer’s through…Have a good time, but remember there is danger in the summer moon above. Will I see you in September, or lose you to a summer love?” (“See You In September” – The Happenings – 1966)
Keep it flyin’, Uncle Mott