Congratulations Class of 2010!

As the school year comes to an end, we want all our Flagler School Families to know we appreciate you and we thank you for an outstanding year.  Class of 2010, we have a great deal of faith in you and we wish you the best in the future.  Please keep in touch with us as you progress to the next level of your educational journey during your post secondary years.  Just as David Letterman has his Top Ten list, we also have our Top Seven list to live by.  Go, Class of 2010, and accomplish great things!  

NUMBER 7    Set Goals and Achieve Them.
Setting your personal and professional goals is the roadmap to your life.  When you are getting ready to take a long trip you always pull out a roadmap and plan your trip.  This allows you to get to your destination safely and efficiently.  This also allows you to plan for some fun stops and learning opportunities.  Your life and career should be more important than a vacation.  Your goals are your roadmap for your life.  You must have a plan so you will know what you are trying to achieve.

NUMBER 6    Always Surround Yourself with Quality People.
One of the many joys of being in high school is that friends constantly surround you and there is always something to do.  As you leave school, you will quickly find out you will start being around the same few people all the time and it is very important that the few people you are with have the same values and goals in life that you do.  Having friends is wonderful and it is good to have a fun social life, but remember: when you turn 25 and you have to make a house payment and put food on the table for your family it will not be your friends who take care of that responsibility, it will be you.  Don’t allow yourself to hang around people who will get you into trouble or who influence you to make a decision that is bad for your future.  If friends don’t have your best interests at heart, how can they truly be considered your friends to begin with?

NUMBER 5    Read, Read, Read!
Learning is never finished and it is important that you always keep pushing yourself to be your best and to be a life-long learner.  Reading is key to making this goal happen.  Once you find the career that inspires you, learn everything you can about that career and be your best!

NUMBER 4    Watch Your Health.
We have all heard the famous quote, “Healthy Mind, Healthy Body,” and it is very true.  As the health care debate continues in our country, it is obvious that something must change in order for our country to be successful in this area in the future.  Whether you walk, swim, run or spend hours in a gym, the main thing is we all must get more active and we must get the next generation active also.  Keep yourself and your future kids moving and fit.

NUMBER 3    Family First!
Friends are wonderful and important to have, but family will always be there through thick and thin. It is vital that we tell our family members how important they are and how much we love them.  Graduation is a tough time on both children and parents.  Kids want to break free from their parents, but parents want to hang on to their kids just a little longer and many times conflict happens because of this struggle.  This is normal, but it is important to remember ultimately we love each family member and we need to show each other more love and respect than a friend or acquaintance because family will always be there for us.  I have seen family members treat each other poorly many times and I believe they do this because they know family will always be there for them.  This is not the attitude we should take.  Your family is very special and you should always cherish the time you have together.

Number 2    Never, Never, Never get a student credit card!
It amazes me that when an 18-year old student shows up at college, banks start pelting them with free credit cards opportunities.  This is given to you because you are a student in college, many times without a job, and most of your money needs to be spent on basic needs.  Please do not fall into the trap of taking the credit card.  That $500 credit card can ruin your credit rating before you ever get your first full-time job.  It takes a great amount of discipline not to abuse the use of a credit card and usually a college student does not have the discipline to avoid getting into trouble.  In college, you will not live a plush life and that is fine.  Enjoy dorm life and enjoy the struggles of starting life on your own and living on your own, but do all this debt free. If you can’t pay cash for it while you are in college, you don’t need it.  College loans and credit cards can start you off on the wrong path to financial stability if you abuse their use.  Don’t make the mistake of getting yourself over your head in debt.  I have seen money problems destroy many people’s marriages, families and life.   Learn to enjoy life with the salary you receive and don’t worry about what someone else has.  Your happiness is much more important than what someone else thinks about you or your possessions.  

Number 1    Go to the Beach!
People from all over the country save their money for a complete year to come to Florida to relax and have fun on the beach.  Folks, we can do this every day and we need to take the opportunity to enjoy the great environment we live in right here in Flagler County.  Learn to relax and spend time with family and friends enjoying the sun and surf.  Good times are priceless and we need to do this as much as possible.  Remember: work hard and PLAY HARD!

Class of 2010, we are proud of you!