Class of 2012 - Henry Ford Academy: Power House High

Congratulations, Class of 2012!

Dear Class of 2012:

Looks like we made it! I look at you now and I see even more of the wonder and excitement you wore on your faces during our first meeting in the spring of 2009 at Holy Family Lutheran School.

Do you remember what your key issues were back then? Well I do! You insisted on knowing what the color of your new uniforms shirts would be. You asked me how long would I stay on as your principal, and then you hit me with the big guns by asking “Will you leave us?”

That day marked the day that I began to learn about you and from you both as individuals, and as a group.

Wow!! what a learning opportunity you have provided for me. You taught me to be more humble and you increased my patience exponentially.

I learned that your strengths as a group are your unstoppable resilience and survival. Two school sites, three principals, and a host teachers later you and I are still standing.

Of course I wouldn’t be the Ms. Alexander you love to hate if I didn’t push you to reflect upon and grow in your area of challenge. As a whole you are an extremely rebellious and impatient group. And yes, like everything else in this world rebellion and impatience are sides of a double-edged sword. On one side, if our forefathers had lacked rebellion and impatience we would all still be enslaved. The flip side is that you must be able to identify the right time and place to tap into these skills.

I caution you as I would my grandchildren to “slow your roll” as you might say. Make sure that you are not rebelling against opportunities to learn or that your are blowing your chances to obtain resource and well needed support.

You are just starting your journey and you like all everyone else on the planet will need guides to help you navigate your path.

Finally, you must always consider me as a lifelong resource and your mentor. I’m never more than a call or click away (yes, I’m on Facebook!). You are my spiritual children for life and I promise to always love you unconditionally.

All my love and service,

Ms. Alexander, Principal