The gift of education

During this holiday season, I am reminded of a story where a young girl gives her father an empty box for a Christmas present. The father is initially angry but his daughter explained that the box contained a kiss for him. The story has a great moral for the true meaning of giving and receiving at Christmas. I strongly believe that one of the greatest gifts we can give our children is education.

Education is the symbolic gift that sits unseen and often unappreciated at the bottom of a gift-wrapped box. When you realize the gift of education, one can use it for personal success throughout life. Education open doors to a future of exciting possibilities and that is a present where one’s time and money is well spent. Furthermore, there aren’t too many gifts that can last a lifetime like learning.

My oldest son Marcus is a product of the Matsu Borough School District. Marcus successfully navigated through all its graduation requirements while also taking advantage of the vast opportunities offered to advance his education through career exploration classes. His efforts in school shaped his character by giving him the chance to develop goals and create a plan to achieve those goals. Along his journey, Mat-Su educators provided him with instruction, guidance and mentorship. Marcus didn’t see the gift right away, but later he understood what gift was waiting inside his apparently empty box. We are more than proud of him though. Through my son’s story may you also discover the kiss left behind from a good education.

His story begins with his early education. Because my wife and I had many life-changing events, my son was frequently moved around schools within the Mat-Su Borough. His attendance included Shaw Elementary, Goose Bay Elementary, and Mat-Su Christian School. When he transitioned to middle school, we thought it more advantageous to home school him through the Mat-Su Correspondence School (Mat-Su Central). With each choice made, MSBSD delivered.

As Marcus entered high school, we integrated him back into public school at Palmer and then to the brand new Career and Technical High School. CTHS is where he graduated and found his passion for engineering. Again, the MSBSD delivered. At the ripe old age of 16, Marcus was off to the University of Fairbanks to attend their engineering school. We were worried that he would not be ready but his MSBSD background proved otherwise. His efforts in high school paid off, and with the help of a number scholarships offered to him privately, by the state and by the University of Alaska system, the state of Alaska paid for our son to attend college. After four years of hard work, he earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.

While most young people would have stopped and gone to work, Marcus was determined to continue on and specialize in engineering. Within a few months of leaving Fairbanks, he found himself in Corvallis, Oregon, looking for housing and financial aid at Oregon State. The next stage of his education had begun, and once again his Alaska education left him ready.

My son, Marcus Farquhar, is 22 years old and just completed his graduate degree in coastal engineering from Oregon State University. He will not only return to Alaska for the holidays with graduate degree, but also as an employed engineer based out of Seattle, Washington.

Perhaps he will find a tangible gift under the tree this year, but in my eyes, he already received the most important gift and it is absolutely non-refundable. Good job Marcus and thank you MSBSD!

David Ralph is a teacher at Wasilla High School. He and his wife have five children, all of whom have attended or currently attend Mat-Su schools.