Superintendent’s Chat

Richard McClements, Shonto Preparatory School

Recently, I had the marvelous opportunity to see Celine Dion’s show in Las Vegas. For those students who don’t know of her, she is considered by most as being one of the top singers in the music industry.

Everything about her Las Vegas performance was first-class. I have been fortunate to have seen Broadway shows and concerts by several feature artists. At least for my tastes, none could compare with Celine Dion. It was the combination of her incredible voice, which needs no boosting, the dancing, the musical accompaniment, and the incredible scenery. The finest specialists in each area were brought in to develop this show. Each dancer, for example, has world-class credentials and training. The owners of the Caesar’s Palace Casino built, at a cost of several million dollars, a special auditorium for her that seats 4,200 people, and offered her a three-year contract. Her show is the most popular in Las Vegas. You have to book it 90 days in advance of the show, and even then, it sells out in hours.

I have always been fascinated by people who are the masters of their craft – the one’s who are the superstars of their industry. Whether it is the number 1 bull rider at the rodeo, the top salesman in the company, the pro football running back, or the best teacher in the school, people who excel, practice excellence. They never accept anything less than their best efforts day in and day out. Celine Dion did not come out on stage that night and give a half-hearted effort, she was all business, and gave her best on every song.

Students, one day you will choose a profession. Life gives each of us a gift – something that fulfills us and is something that we can be good at. I saw recently that each person does one thing better than 10,000 other people. Whatever is your eventual choice, work hard to be the very best in your profession.