Open Letter: My 'Hatchie H.S. Seniors!

This past Friday night, I watched as 150 of my students walked across that stage, robed proudly in green and with smiles stretching halfway across the football field.

I remembered back to August when I had come on as somewhat of an “adjunct professor” to teach these young men and women for a semester. I knew I had to get my students to the homestretch.

I say “my” students. I left them in capable hands, but they still are mine. (I’m sticking to it!)

Teaching, you see, isn’t a one-semester or one-year thing.

It is a lifetime thing.

You can only hope to leave an impression on their hearts that will pop up in their memory every now and then.

When I had to prepare my classroom for the second semester—while preparing mentally not to see them the rest of the way in person—my seniors probably did not realize how long and difficult that walk out the classroom door and down the hallway was. I had taken them to mid-stream and across the most turbulent part of the voyage, and I knew they would be able to carry on with the same spirit we had shared together every day.

Now, we come together again for an encore.

I only have room for a benediction. Not final words. Not a goodbye. Just a benediction to see you off to your next voyage. So …

To My Dear Optimists:

Congrats to you for making it to the other side of that stage. I watched you with great pride that Friday evening. You may not have noticed, but down deep I walked across the stage with each of you.

You see, I came to Waxahachie High to make sure you made it that far, and my job was not complete until you did. All of your names that appeared on my roll were there for a reason. The Lord knew what we needed.

I hoped all along to make an impression on you, to change your world, but I was not disappointed when I found that you changed my own instead.

The task was formidable, that I will admit. Oh, no, the world had not passed me by—I would refuse to admit it if it had!—but the lightning pace of teaching reminds me of when I got older as a basketball player and my mind said I could still dipsy-doodle—but my body said it might dipsy but forget about doodling. You understand.

However, because of you seniors, the Lord blessed me with enough energy and maybe a little savvy so I could try it one more time.

Funny thing, what I learned was that when I tried to do something with the Smart Board or other technology and I could only dipsy, I’d look up and one of you would be out of your seat filling in the doodle. Ah, we made quite a team. Thinking on it, you were helping me graduate as much as I was you.

So, my good friends, here are two benedictions for you, maybe, to pack in your suitcase for your next journey.

One is a poem by Tennessee’s Poet Laureate Pek Gunn that I posted on the classroom wall before I closed the door on the afternoon of January 7.

I almost always begin the year with this poem, but this time we’ll conclude with it:

The Optimist

I passed a sand lot yesterday,

Some kids were playing ball.

I strolled along the third baseline,

Within the field’s call.

“Say, what’s the score?” I asked the chap.

He yelled to beat the stuffin’

‘There’s no on out, the bases full,

And they’re Forty-Two to Nuthin’!”

“You’re gettin’ beat, aren’t you my lad?”

And then in no time flat,

He answered: "No, Sir, not as yet!

Our side ain’t been to bat!”

Yes, my friends, it is true for you just as it is for this young hero.

Life’s scoreboard will read 42-0 many times. But if you will grab hold of this little boy’s attitude and cling to his spirit, you’ll find that down 42-0 is nothing. I know. I observed you for ninety-three days. I know what you can do.

I hate to go, but I must. So, one final benediction, this from the great apostle in the last verse of 2 Corinthians.

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all, Amen.”

That is my fervent prayer for you. My seniors. My friends. My honored students. Of ‘26.

Your Forever Coach,

Coach B

P.S. Remember: You’re the best!

(coachbowen1984@gmail.com)