Once again, another graduation has come and gone. Students received their diploma, and celebrated in the success with friends and family. To the Decatur High School class of 2010, I celebrate your achievements with you. I also grieve with the loss of two young men – Derek King and Nick Hodgins – and the journey that lies ahead for a third young man.

If any of you ever interacted with these students, not just this year, but over the course of your academic career, then what would these two boys want you to remember of them? Equally, if not more important, what would your classmates want you to achieve with your life?

Sadly, their lives have been cut short, but yours hasn’t. Weeks and months from now, long after the stress of exams and class assignments, long after you’ve parted ways, there will be two students who would want you to live life to the fullest and celebrate their memory — and for you to celebrate life. I know from the bottom of my heart, they would want nothing less.

To the third who survived, long after his physical wounds have healed, he may struggle with the “Why me” aspect of that night.

To Anthony Beaver: Your best friends have a plan for you. You may not necessarily be aware of what it is. Yet, as you get older and with time, that picture will become clearer; you will set forth and accomplish goals that will make them just as proud and happy as the final fun-filled evening you all shared.

I share my words of sorrow and encouragement with you because 25 years ago when I was your age, I too, was looking forward to graduation. I was a senior, and my family was celebrating the three-day Memorial Day weekend at Fort Flagler State Park (Near Port Townsend). On that Saturday, my life was nearly cut short. The weather was gloriously sunny. You could see the Olympics, and quite frankly, life couldn’t be any better. My friend and I decided to have a little fun. We grabbed a rowboat and soon found ourselves rowing off the coast near the state park. Unlike the three of you (and I cannot stress enough, unlike the three of you), we were doing something stupid. There was neither an engine nor a lifejacket. My friend and I figured “we’re in three feet of water, we’ll be fine.” Unbeknownst to us that day, the currents were pulling everything and anything out to the sea. As you can imagine where I am going with this story, soon our small rowboat was overcome with the forces of nature. We were taking on water, waves were 3 to 5 feet high and we could see from the shore, people were helplessly aware of the predicament we found ourselves in.

As the danger continued to unfold, soon a large container ship passed mere yards away from us, and the turbulence left from the wake shook our tiny aluminum rowboat harder than ever. By the grace of God, a sailboat spotted us. After what seemed like an eternity, we were eventually plucked from the depths of that potential disaster with not a moment to spare. To this day, I haven’t been in a rowboat. We were given another shot at life that day. Unfortunately, two young men who are forever a part of your graduating class weren’t.

If you are wondering what you can do, I would say you don’t have to look far. Spend time reconnecting and reflecting on your high school experience. As I said earlier, Derek and Nick would want you to celebrate life, but also reach out and help others. Make sure you don’t take your life for granted and instead, love and appreciate all for who they are.

Last Thursday, I found myself walking the streets of Seattle. There was a torrential downpour when I stumbled upon Benaroya Hall. This beautiful performing arts hall has a secret park on the side. I wandered through the creek and I stood in my tracks to read what was inscribed on a monument there. It sent chills up me, but it also left me feeling better, replacing the nauseous feeling that I’ve experienced. I think Derek and Nick would appreciate it.

They shall not grow old

As we who are left, grow old.

Age shall not weary them

Nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun

And in the morning,

We will remember them.

Ron Podmore is a teacher at Decatur High School who taught Derek King and Anthony Beaver. Contact: rpodmore@fwps.org