Life Lessons and Knowledge
There are celebrations that etch themselves into our memory and accompany us throughout life. Among them, perhaps the most meaningful are those related to academic achievements. Not only because they fill us with joy and pride, but also because they become moments shared with family and friends, who celebrate with the same emotion, as if the triumph were theirs.
Several years ago, I graduated from high school, a memory I still hold with affection and clarity. In Colombia, this event is celebrated in a solemn way, with a ceremony in which the school Principal hands each student the diploma that certifies them as high school graduate. Parents are always present, sharing that happiness and feeling that their children’s effort also belongs to them.
The end of secondary school represents much more than obtaining a diploma: it is the bridge between adolescence and adult life, the beginning of university studies, professional work, and, for some men, also compulsory military service.
I had the fortune of completing my studies at the Agricultural School in Paipa, a specialized school that brought together young people from different regions of the country to study the last two years of secondary school. As its name suggests, its focus was on agricultural and livestock training, with the purpose of preparing future professional committed to the Colombian countryside.
Although it was a co-ed school, boys were the majority, and most of the students came from outside the town, even from other regions. Each group was identified as a “colony,” according to their region of origin, which filled the school with cultural diversity and traditions.
I remember, for example, my classmates from Tolima, a land of music and joy. One of them delighted us with his voice and guitar, performing songs that were popular at the time. His rendition of ¿Usted qué haría? By Diego Verdaguer was so heartfelt that at times it seemed to rival the artist himself. His fellow countrymen shared the same warmth: they were attentive, polite, and treated others with a dignity that felt almost regal.
My classmates from Huila were also distinguished by their kindness and nobility. They shone on the dance floor, whether with Bambucos or with any other kind of music. I will never forget graduation day, when the father of an opita classmate took the microphone and gifted us a speech full of wisdom. He spoke of education not as mere accumulation of knowledge, but as a tool to grow as human beings. I still remember the anecdote he shared:
“Goodbye, man without a title!” said one new graduated to another.
“Goodbye, title without a man!” replied the other firmly.
Simple yet profound words that reminded me that the true worth of a human being is not defined by a piece of paper, but by their integrity and essence.
Among my classmates there were also those who stood out for their uniqueness. I remember one in particular, who besides a brilliant mind, drew attention with his eccentric way of dressing: one day he would show up with mismatched socks, another day with unconventional outfits. At first, many of us noticed him more for his clothing than for his talent, but when he reached the finals in an interschool academic competition, we all began to see him differently; not longer focusing on his shoes, but on the confidence in his eyes and the value of his achievements.
And how could I forget my classmates from the beautiful and brave lands of Santander. They hand a strong and disciplined character, which always made them stand out academically, but at the same time, they knew how to balance it with a charming sense of humour that lightened the demands of study. From this very special group came one of the greatest blessings of my life: my best friend, a brilliant and generous woman who, even today from afar, cares for me and accompanies me as if she were my sister at heart.
The group of hosts was divided into two: those from Paipa and those from other towns in Boyacá. From the very first day they welcomed us warmly and made us feel at home, especially those of us who came from faraway lands and could hardly see our families. The girls from Paipa stood out not only for their outer beauty -which even led some of them to win contests- but, above all, for the tenderness and affection with which they treated us.
My classmates from the coast brought with them the spark and freshness of their land, brightening any space with their spontaneous way of being. Their artistic talent was genuine and varied.
And, of course, the llaneros could not be left out: they sang Joropos and played the cuatro like true gods. Among them were three women who, although they did not perform music, lit up every place with their joy and closeness, making one feel fortunate to share those moments by their side.
Today, as I remember all this, I realise that beyond the diplomas, what truly remains are the experiences, the faces, the words, and the bonds that were formed in those years. High school was not just a step toward adult life: it was a chapter full of friendship, learning, and memories that, without a doubt, left an indelible mark in our heats.
With all my affection, forever, for my classmates of the Class of ’85. I hope you enjoy the gathering this month.
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