Graduation Day

August 21, 2009 — The day has finally come. It's a day that quite frankly in the past few years I did not think was ever going to happen. My 19-yr old son has finally completed his high school graduation requirements and will receive his diploma in the Austin Independent School District's (AISD) summer graduation program this evening.

Let me say right up front that I am very proud of my son! In the past few years he demonstrated an unwillingness or the caring to complete his high school education. When he reached the age of 18 he withdrew himself from school and it was at the time probably the best thing he could have done. He wasn't going to class anyway! As young people do, and I know I certainly did, he struggled with finding his way. He let himself fall into some very habits and just flat out did not care about anything except being destructive to himself. It eventually got him into a heap of trouble.

My son completed his high school education at AISD's Garza Independent High School. It is a school that takes troubled young people and allows them to complete high school in a non-traditional environment. It is self-paced and guided by a teacher that is always in the classroom. Much of the work is completed using a computer and CDs. I want to acknowledge and thank the administrators, faculty, and students of Garza for their tenacity and a belief in never giving up. Without them my son would not be receiving his diploma this evening.

My son is bouncing back from those bad habits and the trouble it has caused. It will be a long hard road for him there is no doubt. He is picking himself by the boot straps and beginning that long hard road we all end up travelling. The good things in life are never easy are they. On Tuesday he will begin taking classes at Austin Community College and is truly excited about it all. He is setting goals for his education now and while those will no doubt change as he travels his road he has at least begun the journey. Again, I am so very proud of him. As usual, all of this...is what really matters!