TACKLE High School Graduation Preparation

The countdown continues... The high school graduation looms in the near distance.  Classes are wrapping up for the year.  Multiple dresses need to be bought for all of the various fun activities planned for the next two weeks.  Senior beach week is paid in full.

Tonight was the senior dinner
at the quaint Inn at Vint Hill, Warrenton, VA
http://www.innatvinthill.com/

Teens were trying to stay composed while bursting with excitement knowing that their era is ending. 

During the dinner the awards to the Senior Class of 2011 were announced.  Titles flew around the room... female and male winners for  "Best Smile",
"Best Couple", "Most Likely to Succeed",  "Best Hair". 

As predicted, my smart, funny, athletic, talented daughter received the female senior title, "Senioritis".  The male award winner was missing.  His case is so severe that he couldn't attend the senior dinner.

TACKLE Senioritis

Every spring an epidemic hits high school seniors across the country.  Senioritis is a disease that can cripple 12th grade teen children.  My senior daughter's symptoms began after Christmas break.  Signs that seniors are affected include deafness to alarm clocks, repeated absences and tardiness and a decreased interest in grooming. Their wardrobe consists of sweats, athletic shorts, t-shirts and flip flops.

Grades can slip causing panic attacks in parents.  My daughter insists that she can achieve good grades under pressure.  

In elementary school my child cried if she missed the bus in the morning.  Now she is threatened with the punishment of riding the bus to wake her up in the morning.



In the last month the only time she was awake before 7:00am was to call AT&T for an emergency cell phone issue.  I almost had a heart attack when I saw her in the kitchen in an upright position.  


She is the fourth of seven children in our family.   Experience has taught me that the only cure for senioritis is a graduation ceremony.

Our high school gives awards to their seniors for their achievements.  My daughter proudly announced her anticipated award: "Worst Case of Senioritis."


The Senior and the Bearded Dragon

  

She starts college in the fall and she plans on scheduling only afternoon classes.  Every college freshman has that same desired class roster.  She also thinks she can smuggle her pet, Germin, the bearded dragon, in her dorm room.  Good luck!   
  

TACKLE the Globals

  

Theresa Ellis with John Zogby, who currently sits as Chairman of the Board and Chief Insights Officer of IBOPE Zogby International.   Mr. Zogby was formerly founder, President and CEO of Zogby International.

Super pollster John Zogby was the keynote speaker at the Community Associations Institute (CAI) National Conference in beautiful Boca Raton, Florida on May 5, 2011.  My husband and I enjoyed his entertaining and interesting presentation highlighting his book, "The Way We'll Be: The Transformation of the American Dream."  His book points out where we are headed--politically, culturally, and spiritually based on thousands of surveys and polls.      
  

John Zogby notes in his book that he is not trying to predict the future for us, but polling does point the way.  He lists four dominant adult age groups:

1. The Private Generation born 1926 to 1945: loyal and faithful. 

2. The Woodstock Generation born 1946 to 1964: the baby boomers.

3. The Nike Generation born 1965 to 1978:  just do it.

4. The First Global Citizens (The Globals) born 1979 to 1990: our future.  

Our seven children are primarily "The Globals".  Their ambitions range from serving their country to saving the elephants to keeping us informed to finding their coveted iPhones.  They are a humble group, many changed by the misfortunes in today's society.

They are connected with the world with social networking.  Their friends are their network. They are storing information in their heads with Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Google on a daily basis to use in their future.  This generation, "The Globals" will be an incredible generation, leading the way to a better tomorrow for the world. 

   
IBOPE Zogby International is a premier global public opinion polling and market research firm that offers timely, accurate results at http://www.ibopezogby.com/
John Zogby's book can be found at  http://www.randomhouse.com/book/196060/the-way-well-be-by-john-zogby 

Hipsters, part of the "First Global Citizens (between the age of 18-29)