However I’m happy to say my National Honor Society son does. He, along with many of his classmates, received certificates (suitable for framing) to remember their many accomplishments, including putting the X-box controller and iPhone down long enough to get a paper written.
As I sat at one of these ceremonies the other evening, watching 4.5 GPA student after 4.5 GPA student cross the stage, get their certificate and enjoy the well-earned applause, I couldn’t help thinking I wasn’t even smart enough to know you could get a 4.5 GPA.
At the expense of their social life, sleep, family time and sometimes their health, these students saw their goal on the horizon, and realized if they wanted it bad enough they had to fight for it. They burned the midnight oil, ordered some more, and burned that.
It was awe inspiring.
I was never that focused or determined when I was younger (“Jeff’s a good student, he just needs to apply himself more.”). With my iPhone, laptop and the television, I’m certainly not that way now. And while I like to think I’ve done alright for myself in life, academically there’s always been this nagging feeling I could’ve done so much better had my priorities been different.
But after seeing those wonderful, smart and accomplished students the other night, I left feeling inspired. I think the real lesson I came away with is that it’s never too late. I can still finish up getting my master's degree in Theater Arts.
After all, you don’t need a 4.5 GPA to know that’s where the real money is.
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