“The Fine Print”, by M.H. Schrader
To The Class of 1997...
Columnist’s note: In honor of the graduating class of 1997, the column will have a
slightly more serious tone this week.
No, I have not become depressed as of late. It is only temporary. And
emphasize slightly.
“A behind the scenes look at some
of the 1,039 pieces submitted into the Barrett Hamilton art show made me
appreciate the quality of the 150 pieces selected for display at the center and
the 50 pieces chosen for the traveling show.
I observed that the kindergarten through second grade children used
mainly water based media such as watercolor and tempera to paint the bright,
happy, smiling people and animals in their world. The third and fourth graders started to make the transition from
flat bright colors to gradating tones.
Starting with the fifth grade, the students began using color and
technique to express a certain mood. In
this age group, students began painting themselves and subjects that sprung
more from the imagination than from learned images. As early as the sixth grade pieces, I could see the development
of each individual’s artistic perception or style. The main objective of these students was to create a realistic
piece. They did this by using more
gradation, light, and shadow. They also
used more controlled or technical media such as pencil, pastel, and pen. The senior high entries were amazing. All had mastered their technical skills and
were able to manipulate the materials to produce a desired response. These pieces caused me to think not just how
the effect was achieved but the meaning and purpose of their expression.”--Ella Greene, Class of 1997, Mt. St. Mary
Academy
Yes,
that’s right. That was written by one
of our graduating seniors. (I do not
know Ms. Greene, by the way.) I was
rather surprised when I read her essay myself.
It’s good; it’s well written, and it uses big words.
Sometime
in the past ten years, I have grown rather cynical when it comes to the
intelligence of our youth. When I was
teaching college, I had students who could not write or spell or add or
multiply. Quite frankly, if it hadn’t
been for Velcro, I doubt that they could tie their shoes, either.
Basically,
over time, I have begun to adopt the typical adult stereotype about teenagers--they’re
not very smart, and they don’t have a lick of sense. Then along comes teenagers like Ms. Greene who prove us wrong.
Graduates,
here’s factoid number one to keep in mind--adults, because they have lived
longer, and have had more life experiences, inherently believe that 18 year
olds are merely babes in the woods and know absolutely nothing about nothing. And, as time passes and you take more of the
little baby steps of life, you will too.
Of
course, you won’t realize that you are evolving into adult while you are. But, like your father and your father’s
father before you, you will reach a point in your life when you start talking
about how “these kids these days don’t know anything” and start reminiscing
about your youth (one of my favorite pastimes of late). When you reach this point, you are an
official adult.
Looking
back on my own high school graduation, I swore that I would not become like so
many adults I knew and that I would, never, ever stereotype a young
person. Guess what? I have become what I swore I would not. I don’t know how, I don’t know why, I just
did. It’s a genetic thing. That latent adult gene.
Looking
back, I also have come to realize that I was quite arrogant and cocky when I
graduated from high school. I was 18,
after all, and I knew everything about everything. As it turns out, I didn’t know quite as much as I thought I
did. And I am still learning. I consider a day to be a waste if I don’t
learn at least one new thing.
Call
it factoid to remember number two, then--no matter what you believe, dear
graduates, you do not have all of the answers.
Open your minds to the possibilities, and listen and learn from
others. You just might be surprised by
what they have to say.
Oh,
and keep your mouths shut. We don’t
really want to hear how smart you are.
That’s a really good way to not make friends. People do not want to hear how stupid they are, especially from
someone young enough to be their child (or in my case, niece or nephew).
Yes,
I will admit, Ms. Greene knows more about art then I do, or will ever probably
know. To me, with my little male brain,
all art pretty much looks the same, and, well, it’s all rather boring. And I don’t mind that I do not know as much
as an 18 year old about art. I would
mind, however, if she came up to me and kept telling me over and over and over
again how she knows more than I do. My
stupidity is very much a personal thing, thank you very much, and I don’t care
to have it broadcast to the world unless I am the one doing the
broadcasting. So don’t!
I
am one who firmly believes that each and every one of us has God-given talents,
and that each and every one of should respect each other’s talents and use them
to make our world a better place.
Talent knows no boundaries; it is not the exclusive realm of any one
group, be it young or old. (Of course,
I do know some women who claim to have exclusivity on talent, or at least
that’s what they tell me.)
I
will close with two small pieces of advise.
Adults, keep an open mind. Despite
our life experiences, we do not know everything. Allow teenagers to contribute their talents to society.
Graduates--life
is like a railroad crossing. So, always be aware of your surroundings. Stop, look, and listen. Or else, you might just get clobbered by the
train of life.