PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE 2003 - 2004
In 1964 the United States Information Agency produced a motion picture entitled John F. Kennedy: Years of Lightning, Day of Drums. The film was intended for distribution exclusively in foreign countries, since no films produced by the U.S.I.A. were permitted to be shown in the United States except by special act of the Congress. Such an act was passed, and Years of Lightning, Day of Drums was shown in the United States.
It is appropriate this school year of 2003-2004, forty years after the assassination of President John Kennedy, to again reflect on those "Years of Lightning." In forty years we have not had a leader respected and honored like JFK. Upon Kennedy's death even his greatest adversary, Nikita Khruschev, wept.
Let us commit this school year to the understanding of what made President Kennedy such a forceful and meaningful individual. In so doing, let his life model for you the ingredients of success and how your life can be "Years of Lightning." After all these years humanity is still inspired by President Kennedy's ideals.
Forty years after his passing, we still yearn to hear the words that will stir the blood, inspire and motivate. As philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "The eloquent man is inwardly and desperately drunk with a Certain belief." JFK's "Years of Lightning" saw a relationship between eloquence and conviction, between rhetoric and noble emotions. Every school girl and boy senses something in their heart of hearts when they are first introduced to language impassioned by its own convictions and resonant with the delight of its own inventions.
President Kennedy believed, "A child miseducated is a child lost." He also viewed children as the world's most valuable resource and the best hope for the future. In that spirit, envision President Kennedy speaking to you, the students of Bellmar Middle School in 2003.
Every problem is an opportunity. Every challenge presents a possibility. These obstacles that seem to look so ominous above us and before us are new opportunities to prove our mettle as a nation and as a civilization. These, my students, are but growing pains of a nation emerging into its maturity. Those of us who held high the torch of hope forty years ago, now pass that torch to a new generation of Americans. Through our vision and sacrifice, America withstood the onslaught of fascism and defeated the assault of communist totalitarianism. We of that generation now pass to our reward. Our hope is that the freedom that our sacrifices ensured to you, our posterity. has left to you a foundation on which to build an even greater America in the years ahead.
Certainly, your challenges are great. as our challenges were great. Certainly you will make mistakes, as we made mistakes. But let not fear be your master. You are young Americans. Be proud of that name and rest strong in the character that name symbolizes. The victory over all assaults lies within you. As the Scriptures say, "To those whom much has been given, much will be required."
And you will not betray those expectations. Go forth, then, from this school and this hour to write new chapters of triumphant American history. Go forth from this school and this hour with renewed hope, with never-failing vigor and unflagging faith. In that spirit we reached for and captured the moon, and in that spirit, you shall reach stars yet uncharted. My students, the "Years of Lightning" are upon you.
Stephen V. Russell