Can You Keep A Secret?

Last night I attended Senior Awards Night at my granddaughter's high school. Watching the seniors parade across the stage and be recognized for their awards was a long and happy occasion; a prelude to their graduation ceremony at the end of the month.

I was especially pleased when my granddaughter's name was announced, followed by the awards she has received, the biggest being the very generous Robert J. Trulaske Sr. Scholarship from the Trulaske School of Business at the University of Missouri.

The list of schools where graduates will attend was impressive. Most will go to colleges in Missouri. Others will be heading off to: Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Colorado, Texas, and California. Two will be studying in other countries. One will go to college in Canada; another in China.

What also was also impressive was the secret revealed by the school principal at the end of the ceremony.

When he asked, "Can you keep a secret?"

Students shouted, "No!"

He responded, "Well, I'm going to tell you anyway."

He continued, "The senior class of 2013 received offers totaling $4.6 million in scholarships."

The secret is: That amount is over $1 million more than the previous year's class.

But don't tell anyone, especially last year's graduates. It's a secret.