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Capuchino High School - San Bruno CA - 2019 Graduation

Comments by 1st year CAP Principal Jessie Boise and selected photos

Robert Riechel, Neighbor

Posted Fri, May 31, 2019 at 7:51 pm PT

Article Source: Capuchino High School Principal Jessie Boise

Friday May 31 2019, Capuchino High School in San Bruno CA held its 2019 graduation.

Among the speeches was the following by 1st year at Capuchino High School Principal Jessie Boise.

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Capuchino High School Graduation Speech (2019)

Capuchino community, what an honor to stand before you today. My name is Jesse Boise, and I have the great fortune to be the principal of Capuchino High School. Today, is about celebrating the Class of 2019 and appreciating all that your families have done to support you to this point. I would like to take a moment and specifically thank all of the parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and the many others who provided love and support along the way. Thank you (applause from graduates).

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For our graduates, please take a moment to look around, soak in your last moment as an entire class together (pause). You have years of shared experiences and memories. For me, graduation is always such a special recognition because it both appreciates your individual achievement, while also doing so in a collective manner. Together, you have enjoyed moments of success and strife, each time either picking one another up, offering a hug, or a high five. Thank you for welcoming me into your community, your school.

I hope that today you are filled with confidence. An inner confidence that radiates throughout you and reaches your family and friends who join us today. Where does that confidence come from? Why today? Will it maintain? I love spending my days with you guys, and as a result, I think a lot about what it must be like to be a young person today. Frequently, I think about insecurity. As I young person, I was fairly insecure. In fact, at the end of my first week of college, I called my father one evening and said, “Dad, I’m coming home.” There was a long pause as I waited for his response, “No.” He said. I followed up, “Sorry, Dad, but I don’t think you heard me. I am really unhappy and I need to come home.” His reply was simple. “I love you, Jess. No, no you’re not.” I didn’t know how to respond. The conversation continued on, with him offering is love and support, but with a firm declaration that I wouldn’t be returning home. Something also about a “non-refundable deposit.”

Why did I want to go home? Because I had eaten breakfast, lunch, and dinner by myself in the cafeteria, without a single new friend. I look back on this experience and it feels silly, because I was willing to throw away everything I had worked for, just because I was worried about what a bunch of other college freshmen thought about a skinny kid from Mendocino, with acne, eating by himself. Although I ended up eating numerous future meals alone, I am grateful that my dad made me stick it out and that he made me face my own insecurity. I ended up making important friendships, finding a career that I love, and meeting my wife. As you get older, it gets easier. For whatever reason, you grow into yourself, you become comfortable. I have no idea why this is the case, but I ask you, Class of 2019 to define yourself. Don’t let others do that for you. When you hear that inner voice becoming deficit oriented, “I’m not smart enough… I’m not thin enough… I’m not strong enough… I don’t look like everyone else.” Pause and realize, you are, good enough (look back at graduates).

It’s easy to tell yourself you are good enough when you are filled with confidence in moments like this, but in moments of vulnerability, it can be much more difficult. I’d like to offer three ways in which you may try and combat those insecurities when they surface. First, recognize it. How does your body and mind react in a moment when you lack inner confidence? Do you notice nervousness, a quicker heart rate, a cycling of negative thoughts? It’s tough to monitor our own reactions to stress, but that identification is an important first step. Second, re-frame the thought. Since your 9th grade year, Mr. Weks, Ms. Gould, Mr. Meyers, and others have been asserting the principles of Growth Mindset. Carol Dwek’s work reminds us that we must consistently grow as learners and people. None of us are perfect, but the best continually improve by reflecting on previous experience. Third, think of a person you admire a great deal, and consider what advice they would offer you in this moment of insecurity. Perhaps a relative, a mentor, or a teacher you’ve had at Cap. Think about the wisdom they’d offer you. A reminder of previous success, praise for the challenges you’ve overcome, or share a comment with about your own self-worth.

Now, I know it’s not educationally sound to just tell you to shift your mindset. So, let’s go through a brief experiential learning activity to ensure that there is an impact. I promise, it’ll be easier than an IA from Mr. K. When I make a statement that is true of you, please stand. Beloved friends, family, and staff when the group of students stand, please fill them up with confidence through your cheers and applause. Remind them of their self-worth.

Please stand, if you have taken an IB class at Capuchino High School (you may be seated)
Please stand, if you speak two or more languages (you may be seated)
Please stand, if you have made a mistake AND learned from it (you may be seated)
Please stand, if you have competed in Mustang athletics (you may be seated)
Please stand, if you are the first in your family who will be going to college (you may be seated)
Please stand, if you are proud to soon be a Cap graduate! (you may be seated)

Each of you has a tremendous capacity for good, you are surrounded by those who love you, AND the sky’s the limit. Please don’t let others dictate your value. Define yourself by doing good for others and believing in yourself. Nothing will fill you up more than helping others. Capuchino is proud of you. Congratulations, Class of 2019.

BELOW: Selected photos

ABOVE: Waiting for the gates to open

ABOVE: The incoming progression starts

ABOVE: Graduate Andrew Monozon arrives

ABOVE: San Bruno Mayor Rico E. Medina congratulated every graduate, shook each graduate's hand, and gave them a yellow rose that they were to give to someone who helped them as they moved thru Capuchino.