On our last day of school before Thanksgiving break, six alumni from Hudson High School, ranging in age from 20 to 28 years old, participated in a panel discussion in which they were given the opportunity to discuss their path from high school to college and then onto their careers in front of a packed auditorium with the entire student body, faculty and staff attending. I would like to thank Brendan Connor, Mohammed Ghani, Tiereney Lloyd, Justin Brantley, Annie (Wildermuth) Christensen and Kevin Rooney Jr. for giving back to their alma mater and participating in this event.
Among this group of young adults is a former valedictorian who came to this country in eighth grade as a non-English speaker. Two of our panelists were learning disabled, one of which is currently working on her PhD in Literacy. Some of them spoke about being raised in single parent homes and how they are the first generation from their family to go to college. Another panelist described how she had to help raise her two younger siblings while still in high school. One panelist spoke about how he is grateful that he got his college education before becoming a professional athlete because he knew, eventually, his athletic career would come to an end.
They all stressed the importance of the investment in their education and how that investment sets up a lifetime of success and freedom from financial burdens. Most spoke about how the diversity of our student body worked to their advantage in college and the work place and how that is the greatest strength of the district. Some panelists specifically mentioned individual faculty members at Hudson High School and described how they worked with them to ensure they reach their potential as a learner. I personally taught five of the six speakers and can attest to the level of pride displayed by our faculty as we listened to our former students captivate the audience with well spoken, articulate responses to the student’s questions.
These are the types of success stories that we do not hear enough about in our community. Regardless of race, gender, disability or economic status, we all know what a Hudson City School District education is capable of providing. This was just a tiny glimpse of the many, many alumni who are grateful for their experience in our community and, in turn, we were grateful to have them return and celebrate with them as they shared their story with us.
Among this group of young adults is a former valedictorian who came to this country in eighth grade as a non-English speaker. Two of our panelists were learning disabled, one of which is currently working on her PhD in Literacy. Some of them spoke about being raised in single parent homes and how they are the first generation from their family to go to college. Another panelist described how she had to help raise her two younger siblings while still in high school. One panelist spoke about how he is grateful that he got his college education before becoming a professional athlete because he knew, eventually, his athletic career would come to an end.
They all stressed the importance of the investment in their education and how that investment sets up a lifetime of success and freedom from financial burdens. Most spoke about how the diversity of our student body worked to their advantage in college and the work place and how that is the greatest strength of the district. Some panelists specifically mentioned individual faculty members at Hudson High School and described how they worked with them to ensure they reach their potential as a learner. I personally taught five of the six speakers and can attest to the level of pride displayed by our faculty as we listened to our former students captivate the audience with well spoken, articulate responses to the student’s questions.
These are the types of success stories that we do not hear enough about in our community. Regardless of race, gender, disability or economic status, we all know what a Hudson City School District education is capable of providing. This was just a tiny glimpse of the many, many alumni who are grateful for their experience in our community and, in turn, we were grateful to have them return and celebrate with them as they shared their story with us.