HomeNewsFarmington History teacher tells graduates that the right attitude will make all the difference
History teacher tells graduates that the right attitude will make all the difference
Thursday, 04 June 2009
by Kara Hildreth
Thisweek Newspapers
The Farmington High School Class of 2009 stood tall with anticipation as 375 seniors took the proud walk across the stage to receive their diplomas at the outdoor graduation ceremony Friday, May 29, at Tiger Stadium.
PHOTO: Chosen by the Farmington High School Class of 2009 as the faculty speaker at the May 29 graduation ceremony, teacher Ron Williams inspired students with his speech, “Attitude Equals Altitude.” Photo by Rick Orndorf
This is the last Tiger class to graduate from the Farmington High
School building built in 1975. This fall, the new high school building
will open on the city’s west side.
The Class of 2009 is the 126th class to graduate from Farmington.
Teacher Ron Williams was chosen by the Farmington Class of 2009 as the faculty speaker.
Williams teaches U.S. history and world history and also serves as a
mentor for the Bridges program that helps struggling students.
“I was so surprised they selected me because I don’t teach that many of
them, but I enjoy being open and friendly with all the students,” said
Williams, who has taught at the school for two and a half years after
22 years in the military.
Williams has a saying he uses when he talks with students: “ ‘Keep it
real,’ meaning to always be honest with people and yourself.”
“Ron does a wonderful job with the students,” said Ben Kusch, the new
principal at Farmington High School. “Many students hold him in such
high regard even if they don’t have him in class.”
Carefully crafting his speech, Williams said he wanted to relate to
students in his motivational speech titled, “Attitude Equals Altitude.”
Williams shared how important attitude can be in any pursuit, whether
it is post-secondary education, employment, relationships or family
ties.
“The right attitude will help them make the wise and right choices in their lives,” Williams said in an interview.
Williams shared a couple of personal stories from his life during the speech.
Williams paid tribute to his mother, a single parent who worked as a
teacher and minister so her children could have a better life.
She enrolled him in college while he was a junior in high school. He
said all he knew about college was that it would take a lot of work,
dedication and many hours of reading and writing.
Williams said his mother told him education was the winning ticket and not some six-digit bonus lottery number.
“Attitude determines altitude,” he told the students. “A good education
and attitude together can move any person beyond poverty, racism,
ignorance and social injustice.”
His mother was a role model.
“She taught me how to make each day count and to have the courage and
conviction to always keep that in mind,” Williams said. “She had the
tenacity and will power and she made others want to gravitate to her
and those are the principles and values I want to give the students
every day.”
Ending his commencement address, Williams said, “The choices you make
have to make a positive effect on your life and the others around you.
“Look for the goodness in others and spread your wings and fly. The
only time you should look down on anyone is when you are trying to pick
them up.”
Kara Hildreth is at
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