June marks not only the end of the school year, but also graduation season. It’s a busy month filled with elementary and high school graduation ceremonies, proms and other activities aimed at helping students celebrate the completion of an important milestone in their educational journey. 

Like many parents and caregivers of graduating students, I sat through my share of speeches at awards day, graduation day and prom. Speeches from students, parents and teachers reflecting on the students’ time at the school, touching on highlights, reminiscing about the past and pontificating about the future.

As I sat and listened, something became apparently clear. The experience that many of the speakers talked about was the experience of a select group of students. The “in” crowd and jocks.

The stories of the collective journey were not stories of events or activities that included all students.