Good morning, and welcome back to school.  In a few minutes, you will head to class and begin the school year with the First Lesson.  But before you go, I have a question—and I wonder if you’ve ever given it any thought.

What are you doing here?  What I mean is, why are you here?

Some of you will no doubt answer quickly: “I wouldn’t be here if I had a choice.  I’m here because my parents made me come.”  Well, then I’m proud of your parents; but that just explains how you got here. 

What I want to know is, given that you are here—for more than 7 hours each day, 5 days most weeks between now and the end of May…that’s over 1,200 hours if you’re counting—given that you are here, what do you intend to do about it?

I can tell you that the adults you see around you—your teachers, the staff, leadership, your parents—we’re all here…for you.  We’re here, not because we have to be here…our parents didn’t make us come.  We want to be here; we chose to be here.  Why?  Because we’re all here to give you something.  And what is that?  An education, of course—the ability to read, and also a love of good books; knowledge about the natural world, and also wonder about the created order; the skill to paint, as well as an appreciation of great masterpieces; an understanding of the virtue of charity, and also a generous heart.  Whether or not you think you care about those things right now, take it from the old people in the room—one day you will…or at least you should.  That’s why we want to give it to you.

But here’s the rub – this gift of an education requires something of you.  It cannot be received or enjoyed without effort.  And we cannot force you to accept it.  It is up to you whether you listen to your teachers or ignore them; whether you do your homework; whether you give it your all in class or just go through the motions.

Abigail Adams observed that “[l]earning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attained with diligence.”  Just being here at school gets you nothing—but there is a great gift awaiting you, if you’ll make the effort to accept it.

So, I ask again: What are you doing here?  Give it some thought, and…

Have a wonderful first day of school.