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{photo by Chuck Smith}
It may seem a little strange that as we are about to start a new year of school we are looking back at the end of last year here at Down Home. But on this final Monday of our “Past, Present and Future” blog series, we wanted to share an especially Magical Moment from our 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony in June.
Sarah Weinschenk, our esteemed Latin instructor here at SLOCA, gave the keynote speech at this event. Her words were so inspiring that we knew our entire community would enjoy it and be moved. So even though this was given to students who were finishing up one phase of life, let it also inspire you as we move into another great year of learning together!
Mrs. Weinschenk began by relating a story about how one of her high school students, Christopher Rein, taught her the origin of the phrase “Parting Shot:”
{photo by Chuck Smith}
In reading Caesar and discussing Roman military history, Christopher and I had talked about the fact that the Romans weren't really known for their archers, but that their enemies to the east, the Parthians were famous for their archery skills on horse back. They were especially adept at turning around in their saddles while riding away from their enemies and shooting arrows behind them. This was known as the “Parthian Shot,” but later was corrupted into the “Parting Shot,” meaning a final verbal point made at the end of a debate.
…allow me to stretch the metaphor a little bit–leaving you all with 2 parting shots, one to penetrate your mind, and one to penetrate the heart.
First: Never stop reading!
I recently shared a column from the op-ed page of the New York times with Susie. In it the columnist, David Brooks, describes a memorable encounter between a man and a woman in the Soviet Union. The woman, a writer and an intellectual is being persecuted and silenced by the communist government. During an evening when a man has managed a visit with her, they engage in an intense meeting of minds, discussing their favorite authors, characters, and themes from Russian literature. Their literary conversation becomes so intimate and results in such a unity of mind and soul, that their encounter is later misinterpreted as having been a romantic one. The point of the story was to illustrate how a shared knowledge and love of literature can allow for human interaction in a way that nothing else can. The loss of this kind of connection, should people ever stop reading and discussing great literature would be profound. The other striking thing about this story is the importance of talking about what we read. It is in sharing our experience of literature with others that reading bears fruit not only in the life of the individual, but for society as a whole.
I am sure we all have our systems for deciding what to read next. I have a stack of books in the living room–loosely organized, alternating non-fiction with novels, Victorian novels with early 20th century, books dealing with antiquity and those with other time periods–library books always get moved to the top, receiving priority status since there is a time limit on them. Currently I am reading David McCullough’s biography of John Adams. I know it is the wrong time period for this year at SLOCA, but it jumped to the top of the stack because it is on loan from my mother-in-law.
Throughout his diaries and letters, it is clear that Adams’ intellect, character, and political philosophy were all formed not only by what he read so voraciously, but by what he learned from discussing it with his friends and associates. In the constitution which he wrote for the state of Massachusetts, he discusses how important it is for the government to provide for the education and cultural edification of citizens. Commenting on what was necessary for a citizenry capable of governing itself he wrote: “I must judge for myself, but how can I judge, how can any man judge, unless his mind has been opened and enlarged by reading.”
I did not expect the Adams book to be an inspiration for these remarks because, as I said, we are not studying American history this year. Yet, he was so steeped in classical literature and political philosophy that I found it to be relevant after all. Of reading Cicero’s Orations aloud he said, “ . . . it exercises my lungs, raises my spirits, opens my pores, quickens the circulation and contributes much to health.” (almost sounds like a trip to the spa!) Both Adams and Washington were known to quote frequently from a popular play of the time entitled Cato. He often addressed his beloved and respected wife Abigail as “Portia” in their letters, which would cast him in the role of “Brutus,” the tyrannicide; but rather than trying to preserve a republic, Adams was creating one. Adams frequently referred to himself as behaving like a Roman, in the type of Cincinnatus, the farmer-patriot. It is not a stretch to think Adams and his fellow founders had Julius Caesar on their minds when they were preparing to commit what some would see as treason, while others saw it as a heroic act.
You, too, have had Julius Caesar on your minds of late. You may remember that in Act 3, scene 1, after Caesar has been assassinated, Brutus says, “Ambition’s debt is paid.” Caesar’s rise to the top in Roman politics was fueled by ambition and his keen sense of dignitas, or prestige. This sense of importance and respect in the public eye was of supreme importance to the Roman elite.
This brings me to my second parting shot: Three cheers for humility!
Humility, my favorite of the SLOCA character traits, is one of the most undervalued virtues of our time. In fact, I would say that the attitude of humility is so counter-cultural as to be downright subversive. I am calling upon you to embrace this virtue as you move on to high school.
Humility and happiness may be found in not comparing yourself to others. As you enter high school, you may find yourself surrounded by people, both parents and students, obsessed with, and driven by, AP scores, GPAs, and getting into a prestigious college. They will constantly measure themselves against others’ success, which in turn will be measured by some number–a test score, a grade point average, class standing, and so on. As you encounter these values, you may think that you don’t have a choice, but must measure yourself that way too. I exhort you not to buy into it–you do have a choice!
By all means, maintain your own high standards and set meaningful goals for yourself. Strive for excellence and integrity in all that you do, but resist the pressure to allow this to be measured by tests and numbers, or how you stack up next to others. Humility lies in recognizing and appreciating your own true worth, but understanding that this does not place you above others in terms of privilege or entitlement. If ambition is part of your nature, put it in the services of a greater, common good rather than your own advancement.
So, as you move on from SLOCA middle school, I hope you will carry with you a love for reading and discussing good literature, an independent sense of your own worth, free from pride, and an appreciation of your talents, to be put in the service of others.
Thank you for this beautiful and wise advice, Mrs. Weinschenk – we are so grateful for everything you
pour into our middle school and high school students, and we can all take these words to heart as we begin a new year together!
Reminder: the school store is open every day this week, M-F from 10am – 1pm, if you still need to pick up your books.
