It's Been a Minute Since I Spent Time in a High School Auditorium for Awards Night, But This Was an Extra-Special Occasion

Phew. I am channeling awards of class 0f 1990, the awards from 1996-2007, and all awards given anywhere. A special shout-out needs to be made for Stratford Public Schools and the dedication of their teachers, their administrations, their athletics, and their community (which is also me). I was beyond impressed by the layers and levels of awards given to graduating seniors at Stratford High School, including music and civic-engaged leadership. The program was 2 and a half hours of youth celebration, and I'm impressed by the number of organizations and families that come together to support youth in this region. 

Actually, I live in Stratford. I chose this community because it best replicates the demographics of what I knew for over a decade at the Brown School in Louisville, Kentucky, There is tremendous energy in super diversity, and this districts that embrace it best deserve rounds of applause. Nothing brings greater joy to my heart that seeing the demographics that walk by my house daily on the way to Wooster Middle School and Stratford High School. 

They renovated the high school and it was my first time inside last night. Wow! That auditorium is state-of-the art.

It was extra specially to me to see Isaiah Johnson, Val Wooley and Maddie Everlith receiving acknowledgements for their hard work. They are extra special to me because they are CWP-kids and family. I'm beyond impressed by their vision for the world. 

The award-ceremony offered hundreds and thousands of dollars to graduating seniors and I have to admit, a part of me, wants to run of the Board of Education and invest more onto this public school consortium in Stratford, Connecticut. It isn't the grandiose, wealthy Whiteness of the University where I work, or th extreme poverty of where I invest most of my time. Instead, it's a district of the United States of America, trying to find its way in the ultimate extremes of this nation. 

I'm proud of all the Stratford High School award recipients, but have a bias for the three pictured here because I have personal connections. 

They were just middle school kids but not they are setting out to change the world!