The DCTS Senior Awards Program was Special

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The DCTS Senior Awards Program was Special
On May 20^th Troy, Judy, Josh and I were invited to spend what we feel was a very special evening at the Dauphin County Technical School (DCTS). The event was the 2003 Dauphin County Technical School Senior Awards Program.

About two weeks before we had received a correspondence from DCTS indicating that Troy was to be recognized with an award from the school. I will admit that I was a little bit confused because neither the letter nor Troy seemed to have much information on what this award was all about. Feeling somewhat in the dark (very much as I did at the first Parent Seminar session we attended during Troy’s freshman year) I settled down Tuesday evening in our now very familiar place at the DCTS auditorium. Together with a significant number of other seniors, siblings and parents, we awaited whatever was going to happen.

To my pleasant surprise this two-hour-and-fifteen-minute program was a pure joy. The festivities kicked off with DCTS principal, Mr. James Crane, speaking on the excellence demonstrated among these noted 2003 seniors. Mr. Crane’s message was proven to be very apt as the parade of recognitions began.

I have spoken to some friends of mine since and found out that senior awards presentations are not at all unusual in high schools these days, but I must tell you that for Judy and I this was a very different occasion. Part of my initial confusion was because no such wide-ranging acknowledgement of student achievement ever existed when I was in high school back in the 60s. The only such equivalent events that I recall was a student program for National Honor Society inductees and a student assembly or two to honor a very few highly elite students.

Even though I was one of those from my high school chosen into the National Honor Society, I remember these programs as rather stuffy and with a feeling of real distance for those students attending, but not called to the stage. Such was not the case at DCTS. In fact, I will venture a guess that, even amid a number of other such high school awards programs, the DCTS offering was unique for reasons that you will soon see.

The first thing I noticed in going through the ten-page program was the sheer number of presentations (over 92 awards and recognitions made) and the very broad diversity of acknowledgements from perfect attendance (one student actually had four full years of flawless attendance) to numerous academic awards within DCTS' four service clusters to awards in every vocation to recognition of placements at district and state competitions across a wide variety of specialized vocational disciplines.

We also noted the tremendous number of awards presented by organizations outside of the school: newspapers, garden clubs, civic organizations, a sorority, employers and employer associations, women's clubs, and even the armed forces made presentation. This was not a school event as much as it was a full community involvement with the students.

And what academic school provides these awards? It was not all plagues and certificates, or even scholarships. Many students left the podium with four-foot levels, bakery scales, shop glasses, masonry tool bags or full automotive tool sets.

One of the most special aspects though dealt with the presentations themselves. The number of teachers and school administrators as presenters was in itself impressive, but it was the sincerity and enthusiasm of these educators for their seniors receiving that was the true gold. The faculty members at DCTS clearly love their students. One of the very often-heard teacher comments was, "I wish I had an award for those in my class not recognized." And, to be sure, some presenters were rather creative at filling even this gap.

Likewise, the seniors love their teachers and one another. I know for fact that, like all schools, DCTS has its problems to deal with. No operation with this many people collected under one roof could not, but such was certainly not in evidence this night. The applause, laughter, shouts of encouragement, collective cheers, and handshakes were beyond my belief. I expected such outpourings by faculty towards students, but these were seniors cheering and uproariously approving their classmates and appreciating their teachers. Certain seniors clearly stood out against the rest. This is to be expected. But the real excitement, smiles, hugs and well wishing for their fellow students by even these honorees was, for me, humbling and infectious. There was none of the snobbery or competitiveness I have witnessed at certain similar events. This was really a school family coming together.

But mostly I want to speak a bit about what these awards are all about, to the talents and positive qualities of the seniors themselves. It was obvious that the students earning these recognitions had accomplished outstandingly within their four years at DCTS, but what also became apparent as you watched these young adults is why they had accomplished. It was undeniable that within themselves these students held, or at DCTS had discovered or acquired, the stuff of leaders.

These seniors clearly demonstrated poise, confidence, determination, outlook, selflessness, visioning, the ability to set and meet goals, and to solve problems. Most were active well beyond the norm and already visible and recognized contributors within their workplaces and communities. More than once it was noted that these are the true qualities and personal capabilities that employers, and people in general, most seek and value.

What would not leave my mind was the knowledge that these very qualities and the affective skills needed to fully realize them are precisely what Larry Evans, through the Personal and Social Responsibility curriculum, has been quietly and lovingly teaching with ninth and tenth-graders and their parents at DCTS for over 16 years.

My favorite presentations were for the most improved students from the various shops. It was oh so moving to hear again and again accounts of students who, shy, awkward, suspicious, rebellious, confused, aloof or afraid, had been transformed through the caring, love, and belief of these educators, this school and of each other as family into people of promise and deserving this night of award. I felt gratified to be, in even a small way, associated with Larry and the affective skills efforts that have helped these outcomes to be.

I found myself clapping, smiling and quietly, but enthusiastically cheering, not just for my stepson, but also for each and every young person who came to the front. I wanted to give myself to each one of them for they are each so special.

I have very much lived with and been especially attracted to DC Tech over these past four years with Troy, but tonight I fell in love with this school, its students, faculty and staff for the very special things that happen here in growing and very much changing lives.

Dr. Clark, Mrs. Arnold, Mr. Crane, Mrs. Fugate and all the DCTS administration, faculty and staff past and present deserve to be commended for this program and for what they have brought about within the walls of this school. Like the students it produces, Dauphin County Technical School is a leader in excellence.

Now other high schools may very well have seniors and awards programs of merit, but I believe and know that DCTS is an effective and recognized leading model for what can happen when, in love, people and their abilities are made the true focus of education.

During Troy's tenure here I have participated with and have been a private ambassador for DCTS to those even locally who still do not know or understand the amazing things this school does. But I have also before me a challenge to continue my personal efforts with DCTS beyond the impending graduation of my stepson from this institution. From what I saw and gained here on this senior's night I desire to not only go on, but if possible and if they will have me, to learn and do even more with DCTS in service to this special place where dreams are made.

I hope with this article to give you parents with freshmen, sophomores and juniors still at DCTS a taste for where you are and for what is coming. I also wish, by this demonstration, to focus you on the importance of helping and growing yourself and your teens in affective skills.

This special night is in part the payoff for what you and they are doing. Whether acquired through the PSR curriculum or by other means, it is the sharing of their talents by these young people within balance and perspective through the exercise of affective skills that brought them to the senior awards program and to the podium.

The awards themselves are not important. What is important is the strength of character enlivened in these students that has allowed them to be recognized and acknowledged by DCTS, their peers and the community. It is this very strength that has led them to where they are and which will carry them successfully far into the future to the benefit of all.

Congratulations seniors and also to you their parents. May you continue always to grow in the success that you have earned.

-- John Borland --

Affective Skills Web Site

Last Modified: May 29, 2003