"Thank you Students, Educators, Parents, Board, and Community!   This is a significant accomplishment but we won't stop here!" - Dr. Cade Brumley

Article located in Shreveport Times

The Spring of the Year is a tremendously busy time in school systems. During this time, we face the finalization of grading, standardized test score releases, pupil-progression procedures, multiple sporting events, banquets, and even field trips! This certainly isn’t an all-inclusive listing but it illuminates and supports my notion of the complex dynamics of Spring in a school. It’s a whirlwind of activity that often passes with Warp Speed and requires the perseverance of students, parents, and educators.

My favorite events of the Spring, without question, are the graduation commencement exercises. This year, in America, over three million students will graduate from high schools. It is the culmination of approximately 2,300 days of elementary, middle, and high school. And, of course none of our DeSoto students would have ever skipped a day of school or cheered upon receiving news of bad weather cancelling school! During these 2,300 days, students passed required standardized tests, completed Carnegie credit courses, participated in extra-curricular activities, dealt with conflicts, and hopefully made some lasting relationships.  We have a DeSoto mission to “celebrate their graduation as citizens prepared to transform their dreams into realities.” This took place over the past week with smiling graduates, proud families, delighted teachers, and satisfied principals looking on as students received their diplomas.

We had 42 graduates in Logansport, 108 in Mansfield, 126 in North DeSoto, 12 in Pelican, and 36 in Stanley. In total, Board President L.J. Mayweather and I signed 324 diplomas for DeSoto’s graduates!

I often joke, during graduation week, that I’m “on the graduation circuit.” In fact, I attended each DeSoto graduation plus some in other parishes. I heard many great speeches from graduates. Many of the students shared that graduation was the finale of their pk-12 careers. For me, I see it a bit differently. A graduation commencement exercise is rooted in the word “commence.” This means, in short, “to begin” or “to start” something. I hope our graduates take advantage of their diplomas and use it as a catalyst for something great. Whether they’re off to college or immediately bound for the work force, it’s an opportunity they must relish and utilize. I hope and pray that our graduates turn their dreams into realities. As a system, we have done our best to give them a good head-start. And, I would like to thank parents for giving us the opportunity!

Be Blessed,
Cade Brumley, Ed.D.