Last Friday evening, inside of a packed gym, due to possible rainstorms, the 2010 graduates of MCHS did themselves proud.

Over the years, our young people's reputation preceded them about how they act and present themselves to others. Just in case you didn't know, for the most part, our youth, as are our schools, are respected and admired for their demeanor, which means how they behave toward other people. Wish I could say the same for some of our board members.

Granted, every once in awhile, some of them show where they come from by acting like an idiot, or an outlaw, but they are the exceptions, and far from the rule.

Neither the schools, teachers, administrators or even the parents can take credit for someone's reputation of how they treat others.

When you get to the end of the short rows, it is the individual who is responsible for what you think of yourself that is most important. What others think of them is much less important, since they don't put you to sleep each night.

As we watched the honors being heaped upon a few, you can bet that those who received the honors had set their priorities early in life to do better than just to get by. They chose to do their best in their work and in their play. It made it much easier or harder to have parents that pushed and expected the best from their children. It didn't hurt to have teachers who expected the best of those they taught rather than just looking for a paycheck for the job they do.

Remembering back, I had some of both, parents and teachers who expected my best or was surprised if I did better than they expected.

My dad always expected me to do better than I did, and if I didn't there were consequences that gave me incentive to try and do better the next time. It didn't matter if it was my studies, sports, or how I came out in a fight. I was taught early that I was responsible to work hard and if it was worth doing, do my best.

After dad's death, early in my life, Ma was left with two boys, one 14 and one five. She was also left with a business she didn’t know how to run plus us boys to raise. Back then, there was no support or help except family. She was always happy when we did as well as we did. I grew up fast, and my training to work and help her paid off. She had a tough time rearing us two boys and making the living. Neither of us realized how hard it was until much later in life.

If I hadn't been taught respect for others, and especially the elderly, I would have wound up like so many do. I think that is true in most of our young people. Those who are taught respect for others, especially their parents and older people, are those who normally do the best. Although they would like to run wild and do their crazy things, they look back at their teachings at home, church and school that to do sorry will reflect on those you love and respect, so we just don't do it, most of the time.

Times have changed since I was coming up. If you didn't do right, the consequences were tough enough to help sway you in the right direction. In other words, if you got whipped at school for messing up, that was nothing to what you would get at home.

Time out back in the 40s and 50s was picking yourself off the floor after coming off the wall for messing up. It's called child abuse today, but the jails or prisons were not full like they are now.

For those young people who exceeded in what they did in academics, sports or being good citizens, you are to be congratulated. For those who graduated after 12 , 13 or 14 years, you are to be congratulated.

To all of you who will go out into the world and further you education with higher learning, it will be worth the extra effort.

As my first wife continues to tell me, "You work hard instead of smart.” I agree with her, but in my case, I was taught to work hard, so as long as my Lord permits me, I will work hard.

To all of you who go out to make your way in this world, may you continue to respect others and do your best. It will pay in the long haul.

Try to find a life's work that you really enjoy. It will make it fun instead of a job.

There is an Instruction Book if we follow will make life better for you and others. Do it!