Article: Superintendent to Class of 2021: Never Stop Imagining
Superintendent to Class of 2021: Never Stop Imagining
Posted Date: 06/03/2021
“What type of life are you imagining to live?” Superintendent Dr. Kirt Hartzler asked seniors on Thursday evening, during the last of three commencements hosted today by the High School hosted at the UMAC.
“Graduates, cherish this moment of accomplishment, but also recognize your journey in life has merely just begun. Not one of us was given a resume with our birth certificate, “Hartzler said. “Each of us creates our own life. I encourage you to take particular interest in this rather profound statement because it is now you, and only you, who will create the life you choose to live from this point on.”
Hartzler related how Dr. Seuss shared his rhymes, narratives and pictures to make an impression, believing fantasy and imagination is a necessary ingredient of life.
“We create our lives by the opportunities we take and the ones we choose to not take,” Hartzler explained. “My question to each of you, ‘what type of life are you imagining to live?’ In answering this question, know that the plans, opportunities, and choices you make are governed by your imagination. You must first imagine who you want to become or what you want to do in life - then create it! It is from the power of creativity that all human achievements and personal accomplishments occur. But you must first imagine, then act!
As he congratulated the last group of graduates of the Class of 2021 honored today, “ Hartzler advised seniors to take risks and not become too comfortable.
“Some of you have already imaged what your life will be and have started to create it, others are still searching and making plans and that is okay. The important thing is that you never stop imagining, creating and recreating your life,” he said.
Alluding to the past year’s challenges of COVID-19, quarantines, virtual learning and so forth, Hartzler advised seniors, “Don’t become paralyzed by life’s circumstances because it is you, the quality of your mind, the integrity of your soul, and the determination of your will that will ultimately decide your future and shape your life.”
Commencement started with the threat of rain and that threat delivered, welcoming seniors with wet rain and sometimes a downpour. Fortunately, the rain subsided by the time the crowds dispersed.
Valedictorians Shrea Tyagi and Kendra vonHartitzch were featured speakers. Senior Class Publicist Neal Kinney had welcomed graduates and their families; Senior Executive Board Member Michal Harris and Senior Class Vice President Stephanie Melton took their classmates down memory lane; and Senior Council Vice President Emma Jones talked about the “State of the Union.” Senior Class Principal Marla Robinson also congratulated the seniors.
Union High School celebrated its graduating seniors this year with three commencements inside the UMAC. Although the class had to be split into three groups in order to have the ceremonies, seniors were excited their families were able to attend in person. Congratulations and good luck, seniors!
Last January as COVID-19 cases were raging in the Tulsa area, administrators had decided then to break-up the graduating class into three segments in order to allow for social distancing, while also providing a virtual commencement for seniors and families who could not attend in person.
Tonight, seniors will have an opportunity to celebrate in the annual Graduation Celebration at Incredible Pizza on 71st Street from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. https://www.unionps.org/GraduationCelebration
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