Milan Graduation Stirs Memories

While growing up, I was never really excited about graduation. Sure, it was a ceremony and celebration marking an accomplishment one should be proud of, but to me it felt like any other day. It was just the next step to something bigger and I would celebrate when I reached that final goal. While attending Milan High School's 123rd commencement Sunday to capture video for our Web site, however, I gained a new perspective.

I graduated from Whitmore Lake High School in 1986 and it was a small class of about 50. I like to brag I was in the top 10 of my graduating class, and I was. But when there are only 50 people, that really means you're an average student, which I was. I got into Eastern Michigan University with a 17 ACT score and on probationary status. While attending EMU full time, I worked 30 or more hours a week as a waitress at Bennigan's to pay for my college tuition, rent, bills -- everything. I didn't receive financial help from my parents.

My grades there were average as well, partly because I was distracted with work while earning my keep, but also because I didn't have a deep interest in some of the subject matter. It was in my journalism, public relations, magazine writing and political science classes, where I excelled. In fact, it was those classes that helped me raise my grade point average high enough to finally declare my major during my senior year so I could graduate. It required a 2.5. I graduated with a 2.7, but my grades in my area of concentration, which was journalism and political science, were A's and B's. It was economics, philosophy, algebra and biology that killed me.

While I attended my high school graduation out of tradition, I didn't attend my college graduation. Instead, I worked. I served families who were celebrating their child's graduation, and I couldn't figure out what the big deal was. "You want a cake, for what? I graduated today, too, and here I am."

I figured it was like any other day and I thought graduating with a bachelor's degree, much like earning my high school diploma five years earlier, was pretty basic stuff. "What's the big deal?" I thought. "This is what's expected of everyone. You need a college degree to get a 'real' job." I didn't take the time to pat myself on the back because I was just doing what I needed to do to get to the next step -- to start a career that I would love and continue to be totally independent and self-reliant. I never took the time to take stock in what I had accomplished. I was on to the next dream -- a career in journalism, which, by the way, took a year to start. I thought I'd celebrate then. But after you get where you want to be, there's another dream -- from reporter to associate editor to editor for me. Do I celebrate now?

No, now, I am too busy to celebrate. I have two newspapers to put out, a blog to maintain, video to shoot in the community for our Web site, employee payroll, staff reviews, 100-plus stories to edit each week, newspapers to paginate, pages to proofread, photos to take myself and submitted photos to process, press releases to review, freelancers to coordinate, deadlines to meet, phone calls to return and 300 e-mails a day to peruse.

But after attending Milan High School's Portfolio Night last month and hearing the personal stories of some of these teens and how much they have struggled to get to the point of graduation, I gained a new appreciation for celebrating every accomplishment. One girl told us she would be the first in her family to graduate from high school. Another said her mother was struggling financially, worked several jobs and had a hard time getting her to school on time because they lived outside the district and only had one car, so she was often tardy and missed a lot of days. Hearing stories like theirs and then attending the graduation ceremony in person, with hundreds of parents, siblings and grandparents filling the gymnasium's bleachers to show their support, makes me want to cheer them on and tell them "good job," too. I want to encourage them to keep going, no matter how hard it is. Get that bachelor's, and for some a master's and doctorate. Get that technical training. Do whatever it takes to meet your goals and achieve your dreams.

And celebrate along the way because you deserve it. Celebrating is part of the joys of life. Not celebrating won't get you where you want to go any faster and once you get there, there may be less time to reflect.

Darling Rocker

If you're a fan of '70s and '80s rock, you're going to love this kid. Ian Darling, 13, a seventh-grade student at Milan Middle School, rocked out just before the parade May 3 during Discover Milan Day. He was incredible, playing AC/DC and other hits from my teen years. Check out his video at this link or view "Rockin' Out" at www.milannews.com.

Ted Montei, who organizes acts for Open Mic Night at Milan Coffeehouse, helped set up Ian's performance, as well as others, including Gloria DeNoyer on the recorder. Open Mic Night is held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Stop in and catch some local talent.

Be a responsible citizen

Voters in Saline and Milan will get an opportunity tonight in Saline and Wednesday in Milan to learn more about their future school leaders, and I hope they take advantage of it.

The Saline Reporter is hosting a Meet the Candidates' Night 7 p.m. at Saline Middle School. Reporter Sue G. Collins will moderate. The editorial staff at The Reporter has formulated some questions and has received a few from the community. Milan's event will be hosted by the school district and is set for 7 p.m. at the high school's performing arts center. We hope the turnout at both will be good, although often it's not because parents are so busy with their children's activities, work and other commitments.

I plan to video both events, so voters who are unable to make it can see the candidates and listen to their responses to issues affecting the school district. I believe the local cable TV video crew will be there, as well. Combined with our candidate profiles in today's Saline Reporter and Milan News-Leader, I hope the coverage will help voters make an informed decision.

I urge area residents to be responsible citizens. Take advantage of these opportunities and cast an informed vote May 6. Remember, you have a say in this election and an important role in setting the direction for the school district's future.

Individual wrestling takes teamwork, too

I attended the individual wrestling regional tournament in Warren on Saturday where three Milan wrestlers qualified to advance to the state finals March 6-8 at The Palace of Auburn Hills. David Box became Milan's first heavyweight regional champion and state qualifier. Dan Vivian at 125-lb and Jacob Nelson at 160-lb each finished fourth.

As far as I can tell from MHSAA archives, this is the first time in at least a decade that three Milan wrestlers have made it to state. We've had two make it before, but it looks like three is a first. I think it's the start of a trend because all three of these guys are juniors and there are a number of talented young wrestlers coming up behind them.

On Saturday, it occurred to me that there is a myth surrounding wrestling, particularly at the individual tournaments. The true part of the myth is that when a wrestler is on the mat he is on his own (with the help of some shouted coaching from two chairs at the corner, of course). Each wrestler ultimately determines his own fate. There is no one they can turn to for assistance; no one they can depend on to have their back if they slip up. There is not another teammate who can pick them up and save the team. It is all on the individual wrestler. They do it on their own.

That part is true. Here's what's not true: They do it on their own. As I witnessed on Saturday, there actually is some teamwork involved in the individual tournaments. Or maybe it would be more appropriate to call it "familywork." The Milan contingent of friends and family had secured a table overlooking the mats and had food, water, Gatorade, changes of clothes. You name it. They were there for the their wrestlers. Make no mistake, it was a long day -- began at 10 a.m. and didn't wrap up until after 6 p.m. I can't imagine any wrestler doing well on the mat without that kind of support. It's hard to wrestle well when there is no one cheering for you; when there is no one afterwards to pat you on the shoulder, hand you some water. The Milan wrestlers didn't have to worry about that.

State-quality individual wrestling performances demand the best a wrestler has on the mat. They also demand a strong support network. You know, almost like a team.

The Palace of Auburn Hills, here we come!

Time is running out for school board candidates to file

This is just a reminder. Time is running out for anyone interested in running for a seat on the Saline or Milan school boards.

The filing deadline is 4 p.m. Feb. 13 -- next Wednesday. Time to get on your horse!

Two seats are up on each board. In Saline, Lisa Slawson is running again, but Kim Van Hoek is not. In Milan, Mary Mehringer has thrown her hat in the ring again, but Dennis Albers last week announced that because of work commitments he was not up for another term.

The terms on the two school boards run from July 1 to June 30, 2012, with the election taking place May 6.

To run for school board, you must be at least 18 years old, a resident of the district and registered to vote. You need to collect between 40 and 100 signatures on a petition before filing with the Washtenaw County clerk or you can cough up a $100 filing fee.

Petitions may be picked up at district offices or the County Clerk's office. In Milan, applications are available at the central office at the high school and in Saline, petitions are available in the financial office on the second-floor of Union School.

This is a critical time for both districts. There are financial challenges to be met and both will be under the guidance of new superintendents come July 1.

These boards will not have an easy time the next few years and will have to make some tough decisions. Good people are needed.

Are you one?