What did I take with me from BSHS?

-- by Frank B. Griffith

This opportunity was presented to me by Janice while I was in Rome this summer. I was visiting with a sailor from Australia and we had been talking all afternoon about our voyages, his from the West and ours from the East. He was relatively new to sailing and suggested that from the stories about our travels and our experiences it was clear to him that somewhere along the line someone had taught me the "value of time".

I thought about it awhile and realized that perhaps he was correct. Sometime after BSHS I became acutely aware of the "value of time."

Some of you don't know me and others of you know me because of the nametag I wear and being together for the past few days.

You had Mr. Guthrie, Ms. Curry, Ms. Slaughter or Mrs. Worley as your homeroom teacher, we did not know one another from this association. I had Mr. Worley as my homeroom teacher, at least it seemed that way.

You studied and belonged to the Spanish Club or the theater group perhaps the speech club or the student council. I was not in any of these places.

You may have played in the band. I was not there either.

Perhaps you sang in the choir, nope.

I did not appreciate the special opportunities available through participation in the sports program. Some of you did participate in sports.

Sorry I am not there again.

The time and effort you spent in these efforts forged relationships which continue to be viable and enjoyable today.

I went to Hoyle Nix dances as many as 4 nights a week and rested between them. I do realize some pleasure from these times but it is an individual and personal pleasure, not a shared one.

I was a classmate who did not participate.

I did not use the time and resources, which were available, for a great and comprehensive BSHS education.

After BSHS I did as most of you did; more school and a family, it was the more school part that made me painfully aware that the foundation which should have been laid at BSHS was weak and would need immediate and extensive work. I was also aware that I had not valued time and used the time given to prepare the necessary foundation, thus initially aware of the "value of time.

This was a wake up call for me and I ran on overtime for several years to accomplish that which could have/would have and should have been accomplished if I had been aware of the "value of time" while at BSHS.

Time is dear to me and I realize that it is spent or misspent on a daily basis. I periodically review my actions and activities as they relate to my goals and priorities. I will adjust as needed.

I do play a lot now, with my bride Kathy, but not without being aware of my obligations to my wife, family, friends and community.

Thank you for your time.

Frank B. Griffith