Swimming in the Pensieve

A little less than four years ago, we entrusted our second-eldest daughter to the California Academy of Mathematics and Science, hosted (reasonably so, that is) by the California State University at Dominguez Hills.

This past Wednesday, 2006.06.07, our second CAMS graduate, along with the thirteenth graduating class, collected her diploma and faces the remainder of her academic career with the usual fare: trepidation and excitement.

Our first daughter received her diploma from CAMS, as a part of the second graduating class. She is currently finishing-up her Ph.D. at U.C. Davis; and our third daughter is destined to graduate from CAMS in 2008.

We hope to have two more daughters prepared for CAMS in a couple of years–perhaps both already having passed their CAHSEEs prior to High School enrollment (don’t ask…we have our ways). After all, the CAHSEE only tests students at the 8th grade Math and 10th grade English levels; so, our 5th and 3rd graders should be ready in short order.

All of the LBUSD angst over the High School exit exam bypassed our family, as well as the families of all of the CAMS students–the prevailing attitude amongst the student body being: “Sheesh! Nobody fails the CAHSEE!” And this is essentially true. CAMS students pass the CAHSEE the first time, every time.

CAMS students actually get an education, and it’s no thanks to LBUSD on all counts for those successes. If the truth were actually spoken in LBUSD, it would go somewhat along the lines of “We have to destroy CAMS, because Wilson is supposed to be the best school in LBUSD, because that’s where the entitled families send their children.

Thank GHOD our children were never cursed with having to attend such a mediocre school!

Our children are the best of the best. The rest of the CAMS graduates are the best of the best. They look forward to bright futures, and hold the prospects of improving life in this nation just that much more.

Eventually, should intellectualism come back into near-universal vogue again, our future generations will have a legacy actually worth having. (Getting rid of all the Choura-like and Steinhauser-like politicians should only assist us in attaining this goal.)

To the fellow classmates of my Daughter–the California Academy of Mathematics and Science Class of 2006–congratulations.

Well done!

Persevere!