Two significant things happened twenty years ago in 1988, which may seem like ancient history to current students at HBHA because none of you were even alive. Yet, as we begin school in the fall of 2008, it might be worth a history lesson about 1988.

For me, it was the year that I graduated from high school and headed off to college. Looking back, I remember the incredible sense of hope and opportunity that I felt as I finished my “primary schooling” and moved towards a new existence as a college student, far from home and removed from many friends, which I had known since Kindergarten.

Recently, I was lucky enough to attend my 20th high school reunion, and to see and reconnect with many people I had not seen in years and a few who I definitely hadn’t seen for 20 years. As reunions tend to force anyone into a nostalgic reflection upon days gone by, I thought a lot about how important the sense of community was to my childhood.

I grew in Springfield, Ohio, a medium sized town that no one, not even the mayor, would ever describe as glamorous and or even particularly unique. Yet, its simplicity and size made it a place that was comfortable, safe and, in its own way, happy and fun for me as I grew up. Back then, my friends and I desperately thought about big cities and big places that would be more fun or more cool than our hometown – and lamented the shortcomings of our “b-o-r-i-n-g” lives.

1988 was also the year that HBHA moved into our current, “permanent” building. I once learned that anything which is more than 20 years old would technically be considered an “antique” for purposes of selling at an antique store. Each year, I get older and it seems as if that idea makes less and less sense, and certainly few would say our beautiful building looks or feels like an antique.

If you change the perspective and imagine that 20 years allows for the accumulation of experiences upon anyone or anything, then the age of our building is significant and important. The Academy is a place that is truly made up of thousands of moments of learning, celebration, and success from all of the students who have walked the halls, sat in the classrooms, made friends and joined “families” because of our shared values and hopes. Twenty years of those memories make for a rich tradition that cannot and should not be minimized.

As a teacher here, I constantly reflect upon the fact that the community we have here is important to what makes us special as a school. 20 years of tradition here, along with 22 in other buildings, has helped to create that sense of community and pride that we all love. As you begin your year, think about how you will add to that tradition, benefit from the values and community we have and share in the learning that is so special.