Mr. Himwich Remembers June, 2005
There is a growing legend out there that I am forgetful – and I can hear Addie saying, “You are!” – if I am, and I stress the ‘if’, I want all my students to know that there things about each of you that I will never forget.
I start with Claire, who said to me the most precious thing . . .. that since I don’t have any grandchildren and it is unlikely I ever will, that she and her classmates would be my grandchildren . . . that one comment serves as the glue that has bonded me to this class . . . imagine, grandchildren as diverse in their personalities and potentials as Clayton and Claire, as Nicola and Nick . . . . and with Claire come Brittany and Nicola . . . I have told Nicola that she reminds me so much of myself when I was an 8th grader . . . the same happy detachment . . . Brittany, you are so determined, so bright, so charismatic . . . . I will remember how wonderfully and how badly you sing . . . . and Sally, I will remember our telepathic link , , , Did you go on that last adventure . . . it’s a tradition . . . . Sally, how many boys are ready to change eyes for you . . . even now there is a would-be Ferdinand . . . . and Logan, there is no one kinder and more generous than you are . . . . I will remember how each day I would ask you to put down whatever you had in your hand that you were using to beat Clayton and Danny . . . . and each day you would contritely say, “Yes, sir” . . . . you have grown, Logan, in your ability to read and write . . . you will continue to develop when most others have become set in their ways . . . . and Brett, I remember your wonderful declamation performances . . . you should look for opportunities to develop your stage talent . . . . and Cookie I will remember your good ideas and your wonderful haikus . . . haikus seem to be a natural mode of expression for you . . . and Shannon, I remember your literary talent and, especially, your insight about Atticus in To Kill A Mockingbird . . . . perhaps Atticus as a boy had himself killed a mockingbird . . . . and Clayton, I will watch with interest your growth as a writer . . . you have interesting, complex ideas . . . I will remember in particular your insight about The Iliad . . . it begins in medias res and ends in medias res . . . and Ari, I will remember your wonderful declamation performances, your natural dignitas, and how you forgave me when you thought I was unreasonable . . . and Marguerite, you are a talented writer with wonderful insight . . . it may be that I really don’t get you . . . but I do love the give and take . . . . and then Lily and Bridget, the two Ariels of our class . . . . (I will get to the Calibans later when I speak of Nick and Nikhil) . . . Lily, you returned to us just in time . . . Your portrayal of Ariel was magical . . . may you too find your Element . . . and Bridget, I release you to the Elements with the great hope that you will return . . . .I remember how you flourished under Miss Haddad . . . . you need more such teachers . . . . and Carli, beyond the potato latkes and matzabrei, we had a deeper connection . . . thanks for getting us to the Holocaust Museum and thanks for your insight about the ending of The Tempest . . . As Ariel is released to the elements so does Shakespeare in the person of Prospero release his hold on life . . . and Catherine, who lights up like a hot, green fuse and makes every day spring . . . I will remember how you hated the books we read and yet had such wonderful insights about them . . . . I remember in particular the day Miss Haddad asked the class to identify the most significant line in a long passage in Black Like Me .. . and you immediately got it . . . it was “I did not like the way he looked.” . . . that insight was typical of many others . . . . and Lauren, I know now how determined and tenacious you can be . . . you showed me . . . congratulations for taking on Latin grammar with the same determination that you, Mark, Craig, Nick and Nikhil demonstrated in that basketball game at the state convention . . . and Danny, you and I have battled . . . and we have won . . . . I respect so much your natural inclination for Socratic dialogue . . . and Beth, you are a gifted English student . . . . when you focus your mind and energy, you’re the best . . . . as you become one with the horse you ride, you will become one with the power you possess . . . . and Annie, I will remember your wonderful art and writing, but most of all I will remember how eagerly and deliberately you invited constructive criticism . . . . this is a singular and far-reaching virtue . . . . remember to give me a copy of that last poem you wrote . . . . and Andrew, you have a gift for poetry and a wonderful poetic voice, . . . I will remember your portrayal of Creon. . . . and David, for 4 years we have worked together and for the last two we have traveled the same challenging road, sharing disappointment and triumph . . . . it has been a pleasure beyond words . . . .Jenny, I will remember how your simple friendliness and generosity always made my day better, especially on those days when things were difficult . . . thank you, on my behalf and on behalf of the others for whom you have done the same thing . . . and now the terrible four . . . . you can’t escape me now . . . there is nowhere to hide . . . Nick is our class Caliban, Nikhil our Trinculo and Mark and Craig are want-to-be Ferdinands . . . . the little these last two know of romance would astonish you . . . . Mark, a man of few if any words, and Craig, an overgrown puppy, . . . and everyone knows, Craig, you are not 6 feet tall . . . . but I am glad to confess that it was my lucky day when you decided last summer to take Latin . . . Nikhil, what a wonderful artist you are . . . we will all remember . . . . and Nick, despite your monomaniacal demands for attention, and Mark, despite your mumbling, and Craig, despite your malaproprisms, a teacher could not ask for better students . . . all four of you have made this a special year for me . . . thank you for letting me share your fun . . . and Ashley, you know how lovable and laughable these four can be . . . you whose writing is so pure and natural, who always understand more than I realize . . . you have that light burning within . . . and Addie, our Antigone, the one who gently reminds me of things . . . what a pleasure it has been being with you as you have spread your wings . . . and finally, Dr. B, during these last two years you have grown young with me as we have had to match the wits and vigor of our students . . . . .
and now a Homeric simile for the Class of 2005 --- as one who stands above the steep cliff at Capri where Tiberius had his villa and looks down thousands of feet to the birds of the sea circling below . . . first one and then another and then another mounts the hard current of air and catches the strength of the wind with its wings and rises up and up until, behold, each one soars in triumph above that proud height . . . so do I marvel at the strength of your youth and the goals you have accomplished
If you were truly my grandchildren, and I know I speak for your parents and grandparents who are here today, I could not be more proud of you.
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