Snowline’s superintendent Dr. Ryan Holman, Ed.D, in an open letter to Snowline graduates, offers heartfelt words to the Class of 2025, urging them to believe in themselves and their future:
Congratulations! Whether you are a graduate of Chaparral High School, Eagle Summit Community Day School, Serrano High School, Snowline Academy or Snowline Adult School, this accomplishment is impressive because a powerful outcome has been realized: attainment of a high school diploma. Celebrate what you have conquered and know that I am really proud of all of you!
As you pursue your plan for a life beyond your high school diploma, please do me the honor of always believing three things. The first is that you are SPECIAL. As the famous Mister Rogers made very clear, “Everybody’s valuable.” You have gifts, skills and talents that are truly unique and bring great value to this world. The staff members at your schools tell me that you are a collection of special people armed with emotional, cultural and practical intelligence who really matter to many. Still not convinced? Listen to my favorite character on television, Ted Lasso, and believe. Live like Lasso and know that you are special—and never, ever let anyone make you think otherwise.
My second bit of advice: PURSUE YOUR HOPES AND DREAMS. Bill Watterson wrote in his final Calvin and Hobbes cartoon in 1995, “It’s a magical world, Hobbes, ol’ buddy… let’s go exploring!” For the rest of your life, know there is no core curriculum that you have to follow—it’s all electives from now on! Each of you understands what gives you complete joy in this world. Look toward your greatest hopes and dreams, use what you learned throughout your Snowline journey to help build your plan, and make it happen! By following your passions, you will never feel like you are working even one day in your life. Great outcomes will occur when you pursue your hopes and dreams.
My final bit of advice is to ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST. As author Don Miguel Ruiz said in his book The Four Agreements, “Simply do your best and you will be productive, you will be good to yourself, and your actions will make you feel intensely happy.” Your generation is more capable than any other group in our world’s history, so do your best and great outcomes will follow. If you have doubts that you can do your best, remember what Elsa in Frozen told you and “Let it go!” When challenges arise and doing your best seems hard, be inspired by what Emmet from The Lego Movie said: “Everything is awesome!” When you are at your best, your actions represent the best of humanity. Our world needs it more than ever.
My friend Ted Lasso believes in hope. So do I. Snowline JUSD Class of 2025, I hope you remember that you are SPECIAL, that you should pursue your HOPES AND DREAMS, and that you must ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST… and know that I will remain proud as I watch you wonderful graduates create the beautiful lives you most want for yourselves.
With love always,
Ryan Holman, Ed.D.
Superintendent
