Where did I put my tissues?

On Board Online • June 13, 2016

By William Miller
Area 5 Director

We all spend countless hours in board service. Have you ever sat back and wondered why you do it? I know I have. Sometimes I think the compulsion to be a school board member ought to be listed as a psychological disorder in DSM-5 (the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).

But there is a cure for board member-itis. It's getting reminded about what our students are capable of.

That's why I always attend the annual awards dinner organized by the Oneida Madison Herkimer School Boards Association. I was an officer in this organization when this thought became a reality. We wanted to select three students from each BOCES district that had performed above and beyond all others. It worked well for a period of time but like anything, improvements can be made.

It was felt that not just students that excel should be chosen but also students who overcame circumstances that they could not control.

At this year's dinner, I was energized by the stories of two students in particular.

The first was a high school student who came to school with a smile on his face. His teachers described him as a great kid and could not say enough good things about him. He had an upbeat attitude despite major stress at home.

He was with his father one day when his dad had a massive heart attack. The young man called for help and performed cardio-pulmonary resuscitation until paramedics got there.

Unfortunately his dad did not survive. And the story doesn't stop there. Not long ago, his mother experienced health issues. He said his biggest battle at home was keeping up with everything to ensure his mother didn't overtax herself.

Others might have asked "why me?" but it appears that the only question this young man asked himself was, "What can I do to help?" He is still in school, doing what it takes to be successful there, too. After high school, he wants to go to diesel machine school so he can take over his dad's business.

Another high school student who impressed me came from a family of 13. His goal was to become a lawyer. He is a high-achieving student and everybody's friend. He likes to make people laugh.

One other thing: He is totally blind. He has a one-on-one aide that is with him in school all day. In the beginning, his biggest challenge was getting around the school building. Now, his aide says he can take people on tours and tell others how to get where they need to go.

I found this young man is very articulate and well-spoken. He learned remarkably early in life that his disability does not prevent him from doing anything he wants. I see success written all over him.

There were other stories as compelling as these two I just told you about. Sometimes it was overwhelming to learn the struggles some of our students have faced. It certainly put a lump in my throat and I was glad I didn't have to speak at that point of the program.

But when it was all over, I felt as proud of these students as their parents must be. This is one of the pluses of being a school board member - we have a vested interest in every one of our students, and we feel for them the same kind of caring and commitment we feel for our near and dear.

Is there anything better than seeing a young person who is full of potential, and know we, indirectly, had a role in helping this student grow?

Every school district has award ceremonies, but I think there is real value in regional awards such as the one run by the Oneida Madison Herkimer School Boards Association. If you don't have a program like this in your local area, maybe you can see if it would work for you. It is a rewarding event for all concerned. Now, where did I put my tissues?