Centreville — Before Mountain View’s graduating seniors received their diplomas last week, Principal Dave Jagels shared some words of wisdom with them.

“As I look out at you, I am in awe of life’s obstacles that some of you overcame to be where you sit today,” he said. “When I look at you, I see courage.”

Jagels said author Malcolm Gladwell describes courage not as something people already have. According to Gladwell, “Courage is what you earn when you’ve been through the tough times and you discover they aren’t so tough, after all.”

Jagels also quoted resiliency expert Nan Henderson who defined resiliency as “the capacity to spring back, rebound, successfully adapt in the face of adversity, and develop social and academic competence despite exposure to severe stress.” He further noted a large study done of at-risk children from birth to their mid-30s.

He said the ones that bounced back to lead happy and successful lives reported that someone along the way told them things such as, “You matter,” and “It doesn’t matter what you’ve done in the past.” They also said the most helpful programs provided support similar to an extended family.

Henderson wrote that people rebound from seemingly insurmountable obstacles by drawing upon their own, internal resources and by encountering people, organizations and activities that provide them with conditions fostering the emergence of their resilience.

“I’ve been asked before, ‘How does Mountain View do it? How do we, the Mountain View staff, help students find success?’” said Jagels. “I believe a large part of our success lies within [the school’s motto], ‘Family, love, respect.’”

He told the seniors they’ve had the secrets to success inside them, all along. They just needed to be placed in the right atmosphere and around the right people to see their potential blossom.

“The power of Mountain View is all based on relationships – the ones we have with you and with one another,” said Jagels. “We’re all committed to helping you find success.” He then recognized the teachers.

“I’ve heard some of you seniors say that you wouldn’t be where you are without some of the teachers and staff that are here today,” said Jagels. “Teachers and staff of Mountain View, you’ve touched a number of these students sitting with you today. I want to thank you for the many hours you spent helping them, including Saturdays and Sundays where you gave up your own time to be with them.”

He also thanked them for “being the shoulder to cry on or the person there to give a hug when things were beyond bearable. Thank you for mentoring these students, calling home when they weren’t in school and giving so much of yourselves to help these students get to where they are right now.

“I see your efforts on a daily basis and can say I’m humbled to be part of such a giving staff. Students, I want you to remember the tenets of Mountain View. Our motto of ‘Family, Love and Respect’ [exemplifies] some of these protective factors that can help you overcome life’s obstacles.”

Then, in a takeoff on author Robert Fulghum’s book, “All I Really Needed to Know, I Learned in Kindergarten,” Jagels gave his own advice to the seniors, based on the school’s motto:

• “Life is about relationships; we learn from all of them, good and bad. Without them, we’re lost. We all need someone to lean on, from time to time.
• Everybody deserves a second chance – some, a third, fourth or fifth chance.
• Laugh a little every day.
• View the world around you and [notice] how you interact in it. Pay attention and don’t miss the little things.
• Accept and celebrate people’s differences. This truly is what makes the world go around.
• Strive to be independent. Don’t let debt, drugs or other influences control you or your life.
• Have a positive view of your future, regardless of what life throws at you.
• Be Flexible: ‘When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.’
• Develop a love of learning; find your passions and learn as much as you can about them.
• Find your motivation; you’re in charge of where your life is headed. No one else can do it for you; life is what you make of it.
• Believe in something bigger than yourself.
• Be creative: Draw, invent, write and dance a little every day.
• Persevere: Even when life gets hard, don’t you dare give up.”

“Seniors, you have the resolve, character, courage and resiliency to be successful,” continued Jagels. “The stories you share about your lives and the obstacles you’ve overcome demonstrate, in a way, that you’ve already taken some of the first steps to being successful in life. Let ‘Family, Love and Respect’ be some of the guiding principles in your life. Don’t ever give up — ever.”