It was my pleasure and honor to speak the class of 2003 on Friday, June 6 at the Albert Lea High School. That night I spoke not just representing the District 241 school board, but also as a parent of a graduate. Here are excerpts of the speech I gave to our graduates:

I knew this day would come &045; but like many parents of graduating seniors, I had no idea it would arrive so quickly.

Our sons and daughters will soon be leaving the homes we have made for them. There are so many things we would like to say before they walk out into the next phase of their lives. Chances are, though, that everything we would like to say, we’ve probably already said many times before. Each of you graduates has something to give &045; something to give to your nation, or your community, your church or your family. You will take many different paths and on your road to success. You may encounter some tough times. You may get so discouraged that you may want to quit. As my husband David and I have told our son Jamie many times: Quitting isn’t an option. This point is well said in a poem by D. H. Groberg, and I’d like to read it to you. It is about a young man who was in a race.

The whistle blew and off they went. Young hearts and hopes on fire. To win and be the hero was each runner’s desire. One boy in particular, whose dad was in the crowd, was running near the front and thought, &uot;My dad will be so proud!&uot; But as he speeded down the field across a shallow dip, the boy who thought to win &045; lost his step and slipped. Trying hard to catch himself, his hands flew out to brace, and mid the laughter of the crowd he fell flat on his face.

Down he fell and with him hope, he couldn’t win it now. Embarrassed, sad, he only wished to disappear somehow. But as he fell his dad stood up and showed his anxious face, which to the boy so clearly said, get up and win the race. He quickly rose, no damage done, behind a bit that’s all, he ran with all his might to make up for his fall. So anxious to restore himself, to catch up and to win, his mind went faster than his legs, he slipped and fell again.

He wished that he had quit before with only one disgrace. I’m hopeless as a runner now, I shouldn’t try to race. But in the laughing crowd he found his father’s face, that steady look which said again, &uot;Get up and win the race.&uot; So he jumped up to try again, exerting everything he had, he regained eight or ten, but trying so hard to catch the lead, he slipped and fell again.

He lay there silently, a tear dropped from his eye, &uot;there’s no sense running anymore &045; three strikes, I’m out &045; why try? &uot;I’ve lost, so what’s the use,&uot; he thought, I’ll live with my disgrace &045; and then he thought about his dad &045; who soon he’d have to face.

&uot;Get Up,&uot; an echo sounded, &uot;get up and take your place. You were not meant for failure, get up and win the race.&uot;

&uot;Get up&uot; it said, &uot;you haven’t lost at all, for winning is no more than this &045; to rise each time you fall.&uot;

So up he rose to run once more, and with a new commit, he resolved that win or lose, at least he wouldn’t quit. So far behind the others now, the most he’d ever been, still he gave it all he had and ran as though to win.They cheered the winning runner as he crossed the line &045; first place; head held high, proud and happy, no falling, no disgrace.

But when the fallen runner crossed the line, last place, the crowd gave him the greater cheer for finishing the race. And even though he came in last with head bowed low and unproud, you would have thought he’d won the race, to listen to the crowd.

And to his dad he sadly said, &uot;I didn’t do too well,&uot; &uot;To me, you won,&uot; his father said, &uot;you rose each time you fell.&uot;

And now young grads when times get hard and things are too difficult to face, I hope the memory of this runner helps you in your own race. For all of life is like that race, with ups and downs and all,

And all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall.

Quit, Give up? Why try? The crowd may shout these words in YOUR face &045; but keep a voice within you saying, GET UP AND WIN THE RACE.

The District 241 School Board wishes the graduating class of 2003 much success and our sincerest congratulations to you and your families!

Jolinda Schreiber is a member of the District 241 Board of Education.