June 12, 2023 by Ciara Meyer (‘23)
High school, graduation, and college present their fair share of challenges. And no matter how smart you may be, it’s always helpful to get some advice from experts on how to push through towards success despite the curveballs thrown your way. We’ve brought together the best of the best to tell you how to succeed in high school without really trying.
Humble TIP, Rap Icon and Maple Avenue Middle School Performer
In a message to Saratoga Springs High School (SSHS) students, Mr. TIP said, “Aye few tips! Tip number one is always be full. That means be gracious, have gratitude, and realize that you have a lot and you’ve been blessed with a lot, and you should always appreciate that and do not take it for granted. Number two is to always be hungry and stay ambitious and go after your dreams and go after your goals. And realize that if you work hard, if you believe in yourself, then you can accomplish anything.” Staying full and hungry may prove a challenge, but if the man who brought us “SWRVN n CURVN” says it’s possible, it must be.
Lastly, TIP said, “remember that you are more than enough. You don’t need to change who you are. You don’t need to try and be like everyone else. You are dope and amazing exactly the way you are, with no mistakes and no flaws. You’re dope. So realize you’re more than enough, and go for it.”
Tony Krackeler, Board of Education (BOE) President and Small Business Owner
Krackeler’s advice for graduating seniors is to “explore before deciding.” He said, if your next step is college, study what interests you rather than what you think will make you marketable to the work sector later. A well-rounded, well-adjusted, college graduate with a healthy outlook and good communication skills will be more useful to any employer than one who has simply gone through the motions of attaining certain skills they think they might need. If your next step is not college, try to gain experience in multiple fields before selecting one for the long term.”
Krackeler encourages other SSHS students to “try things out.” Saying that his favorite memory in the Saratoga Springs City School District (SSCSD) was “handing my oldest son his diploma at graduation in 2021,” Krackeler knows that graduation is a goal worth working hard towards.
Tony Devisio Jr., 2023 SSCSD Retiree with 50 Years of Coaching Experience
Devisio has been teaching for over 24 years and coaching for 50, so it’s fair to say he has been around the high school block more than a few times. He encourages current students to keep pushing towards graduation and said, “work hard to earn your first big accomplishment.”
To this year’s graduates he said to remember that “you’re now an adult,” and encouraged them to ‘continue soaking in as much as you can, and find your life’s calling.”
Connie Woytowich, BOE Member and Mom of SSCSD Kids
“Never underestimate the power of positive thinking, hard work, wise choices and healthy relationships,” said Woytowich. Wise words from Woytowich. Additionally, she tells seniors to remember that “dreams come true for those who work while they dream.”
Natalya Lahktakia, BOE Vice President and Speech-Language Pathologist
Lahktakia’s wisdom for current high schoolers is bountiful. She urges them to “take classes that excite you–not just ones you think will look good on your transcript or that you will do well in. Don’t be so afraid of failure that you miss out on experiences. In fact, do things that you’re bad at and enjoy them.” Beyond academics, she said it is important to, “spend your time with people who fill you with joy and warmth. Tell your friends and family that you love them. Show them that love often.”
She encourages graduating seniors to keep their goals flexible. “I attended college, starting in 2003, KNOWING I was going to be an engineer. By 2004, I realized that engineering wasn’t the path for me so I switched to Psychology,” said Lahktakia. “Then I learned about Speech-Language Pathology through my Psycholinguistics professor and went to grad school with every intent of eventually working with adults at a VA or skilled nursing facility. I did one internship at a skilled nursing facility and knew it wasn’t right for me, and now I work in public education.” The path to Lahktakia’s current career has had it’s fair share of plot twists, and she said to graduates that, “it’s okay if what you always thought you would do isn’t what you end up doing.”