July 2024

GRAPEVINE

Goodbye to Daini – Michael Henderson

Issue No. 18

Just Do the Next Thing – Katelyn Sondereker
stHello everyone! As most of you know, after 1

There are times when you have to make big

semester (1 学期) I will be leaving Daini High School.

decisions about your future: which university you

I have been working here for almost 3 years, and it has

should go to, where you should live, or what job you

been so much fun. I have learned many new things

should have. You may feel a lot of pressure (圧力)and had many new experiences.

because you want to make the correct decision or theI think some of my favorite memories are doing thebest decision (正しい選択をしたい).

未 成 年 の 主 張 during 文 化 祭 , and this year’s

But I think it is good to remember that, when

graduation ceremony (卒業式). I was happy to makeplanning your future, you cannot make a wrong

people laugh with my speech, and see my students

decision ( 間 違 っ た 選 択 は で き ま せ ん ). Every

graduate. But I think the small moments are alsodecision you make will lead you to a new path (新たimportant. Talking to students during class, watchingな道). And new paths are never wrong; they’re justclub activities after school, and having English clubdifferent.

every week. All these small moments have become myAs you walk along these new paths, you will gain

treasured memories (大切な思い出) that I will neverexperiences and good memories and grow into theforget.

person you want to become. So, you don’t have toWhen I came to Daini, I realized quickly how

stress about your future. All you need to do is listendifferent Japanese high schools are from Americanto your heart (心の声に耳を傾ける) and listen to thehigh schools. In my opinion (私にとって), almost

advice of the people who love you.

everything is different; the class sizes, how classes areSome good advice that my grandmother once gavetaught, the role teachers have at school (学校での先

me is: “just do the next thing”. What problems or生の役割), etc. However, despite the school structuretasks or decisions are in front of you, right now?

( 学 校 の 仕 組 み ) being different, one thing is theWhen

same: the people. There were many times whenoverwhelmed (圧倒される), think about the small

students here reminded me of students in America,

steps you can take toward your goal. Don’t try toand I realized people around the world are more

complete every task or plan your entire future,similar than different. The biggest wall between us isbecause that’s impossible. Find the small things you

language, which is why I think studying foreign

can do for your future, and do them.

youarefeelingpressureorfeelinglanguages is so important. I hope you all continue toIt’s easy to think and think and think about thework hard not only in English (英語だけでなく), butfuture; but here (今) – where you are in your life rightin any language that is interesting to you.

now – is just as important as your future. So don’t

Thank you so much for letting me be your ALT at
Daini. I will never forget it, and I will definitely comeforget to enjoy your life now, in this moment. Take a
deep breath, do the next thing, and be here.

back to visit from Tokyo!!
Last month I
went to theMichael atbeach inDaini HighMiyazaki withSchool in a

Michael and ouryukata!

friend Alison!