Six Little Words

During the Pandemic, we were all confronted with many challenges, including reimagining the classroom. While some students adapted well, others did not. In that connection, I know there are parents here today who will relate to the following story.

At a large university commencement exercise, the School’s President rose to address the graduates and confer their degrees. He began by explaining the meaning of the traditional Latin phrases used to rank their performance.

For example, if a student graduates “Cum Laude,” it means “With Honors.”

Next, he explained that “Magna Cum Laude” translates “With High Honors. And if a student graduates “Summa Cum Laude,” it designates “With Supreme Honors.”

“But,” he continued, “there’s a new honor I plan to use in the future to be called ‘Magna Cum Pellidentium,’ which means ‘By the skin of your teeth.’” -1

Living as we do, in this complex world of ours, we sometimes feel that in so many ways, we’re holding on by the…