The Arrow Spring 2018

A Word to the Family – Liam Hill

G ood morning. I stand before you today with a word to the parents and families. Parents and families are the unsung heroes of every person that has ever done anything great. Think about the people that you most admire in your life. Do you attribute any of their greatness to the people that raised them? Often, we do not even think about the fact that there were most likely at least two people who were influential in making a person who they are. If a person is great, remember that greatness is not achieved in a vacuum. There were people who sowed the seeds of greatness. For us it is often difficult to imagine the sacrifices that families must make to get their children to this point in life. You as parents have sacrificed a lot for your child and displayed your love and caring for them through your desire for them to succeed and grow. We as teenagers may not realize it now, but the sacrifices you made to al low us to attend Oak Hill Academy have benefited us greatly in our future endeavors. As a student of a faculty member I have benefited from my parents being here all the time. But I also saw the sacrifices they had to make to allow me to be successful here. Four years ago when I was given the choice to go to Oak Hill by my parents I wasn’t entirely sure if I’d be able to fit into the school environment, but as I stand here, I am grateful that I’ve been able to create a strong family-like bond with the students and faculty here. I believe that each student here today can agree with me in saying that Oak Hill serves as a home away from home. To the parents and families who have come here today to witness this grand event, God bless you. Today you will be presented with your child’s last memories of high school. Graduation is the next step in our journey through this life. As my dad always tells me, and has told many of my classmates, life doesn’t get easier as we move forward, expectations are higher, and the stakes are greater with each passing year, parents and a family support system will continue to be a crucial part of our development. Graduation is a step in the right direction. It’s a new beginning to the even larger unwritten story of our lives. Moms, Dads, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles, we’re going to need you by our side, we will continue to need emotional support, love and empathy as we try to navigate the next few years … and yes, we’ll probably need some money along the way. Nothing in life is easy, and very few things come for free, but with your love and support we know we can continue to grow and succeed. So, thank you for being there when we needed you the most, and thank you in advance for all the times we will need you in the future. I think I speak for all of us when I say, we are grateful to you for all the sacrifices, seen and unseen. I leave you today with a poem from Ann Tran, A Parents Heart.

When you feel like breaking down or crashing in,

Who do you turn to, to forgive your sin?

When you cried your lonely tears,

Who will be there to fight your fears?

And when it feels like no one would understand,

Who was there to hold your hand?

There are people whom you can’t replace,

They’re the ones who gave you your face.

They’ll love you through thick and thin,

They show you the light from deep within.

You see, my friends, there’s no one who can love you more,

Than your very own parents, that’s for sure.

Always remember that this is true,

That wherever you go, your parents will be there for you.

Thank you, we love you all.