News from Central High School -- Philadelphia

School has just started ... Quite a few people have asked me about the "Keynote" speaker at the 269 graduation. Some expected a re-visit by Bill Cosby, others were disappointed that President Obama couldn't fit it into his schedule. The expectation seems to be that the "keynote" presentation must always be made by an inspiring guest of the school.

The presenter at the 269 graduation was indeed inspiring, but not exactly a guest - our very own Dr. Pavel, President of Central High School.

Dr. Pavel spoke of courage, ethics, and responsibility - words worthy of heeding not just for the graduating class, but for all of us.
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Dave Kalkstein & Jane Von Bergen Co-Editors

Dr. Pavel's Graduation Speech

When writing about courage, Robert Kennedy stated: "Each time a person stands up for an idea, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and in crossing each other theses ripples form a million different centers of energy and daring. They build a current that can sweep down the mightiest wall of oppression and resistance." "Few are willing," he goes on to say, "to brave the disapproval of their friends, the censure of their colleagues or the wrath of their society. Moral courage is a rarer commodity than bravery in battle or great intelligence. Yet it is the one essential vital quality for those who seek to change a world that yields most painfully to change."

Moral issues greet us every day through the media and in our daily interactions. Choices are always present whether they concern a political situation half a world away, the ethics of those in office, or in the classrooms of Central High School.

At this moment in your life, the twin issues of courage and ethical behavior are core to your future. Although many may perceive them as "big concepts" or the subject matter of graduate level courses, my contention is that they are not "life or death" situations but, rather the daily individual actions and decisions which directly impact on one's immediate world.

Dealing with a moral issue is often perplexing. How do you think through an ethical question? What factors should you consider? What questions should you ask? Is there a right answer or is everything relative? Most of you have not yet had the opportunity to participate in major actions which demand moral courage, but as Kennedy stated, you have had a will have the option to improve the lot of others by acting in an ethically appropriate manner. You can speak out now and take action against injustice or intolerance no matter where it occurs.

It is difficult to risk the wrath of your particular group of friends by taking an unpopular stance in the moral arena, but you have had and will continue to have the opportunity to challenge a prejudicial statement in class or on you college campus. You have had and will continue to have the opportunity to be honest with yourself and apply the values taught to you by your parents by not cheating and not plagiarizing in your academic work. You have had the constant opportunity to oppose self-destructive behaviors involving alcohol and drugs.

You always have the opportunity not to go along with the crowd if the action contemplated would be hurtful to another person. You have the opportunity to act in an ethically appropriate manner, not just in a politically correct one. And you have the opportunity to fully understand the value structure we have attempted to teach and look at inner character, rather than external traits, as an indicator of worth.

As the 269th graduating class, you came to Central four years ago very different than the people you have grown to be. You may not have understood the full power of an idea. You may have been afraid of subject matter demands (particularly in math). You had not yet interacted with community service as an expectation or experienced the multitude of daily decisions which have helped create who you are and what you will become. My challenge to you is to exhibit mature, moral courage tempered with ethical behavior and send out that tiny ripple of hope.

The world is full of people who can't be counted on. They are never around in a crisis. They break promises and substitute excuses for performance. They show up late or not at all. They blame others and do not look within for responsibility. Some people take a lifetime exploring possibilities but never have the inner strength to take responsible action. Others, however, exhibit the courage and self discipline to harness their abilities and energies, do more than is expected, and act in an ethical manner.

I know that you, as Central graduates, can do more than others expect. I know that you can truly meet the highest standards, those rooted in individual morality and achievement. You have heard me often enough over the years state that being bright is not enough, that being at Central creates a higher expectation for performance, service and the commitment to make your community a better place for everyone. I expect you to show the courage to be a dreamer of the day rather than a dreamer of the night. Nighttime dreams are fantasies that evaporate upon awakening. Daytime dreams are those that become reality through hard work, ethical standards and courage.

In a few minutes, the 269th class will no longer meet every day to work, socialize, offer support, and learn from each other. You must now show your own individual courage and refine those tools that we have helped to shape. Pursue a life in which you work to create good deeds, not one in which your goal is simply to feel good. You, the 269th graduating class, are a very special group of people. I wish you health, humanity, and courage. I am very proud of you. Commence now with my love and my respect. Congratulations.