INVERMAY- Gene Klebeck of Pattison Agriculture, guest speaker for Invermay School graduation, told the graduates, “I am both honoured and humbled by this chance to address our future.
“This is a very special occasion, especially looking back over the last few years, and all the challenges we had to navigate through with COVID-19,” said Klebeck. “Well, we made it! We are here at this graduation celebration.
“Disclaimer- the views and comments are my own and not those of my employer.
“I will start with a song chorus. The song is Oh La La from 1998, performed by Rod Stewart. He sang: ‘I will that I knew what I know now when I was younger. I wish that I knew what I know now when I was stronger.’ And simply, that is what I am here to talk about.
“Thirty-four years ago, I made a similar walk, and began my journey into the dreaded ‘real life’ everyone talked about. I graduated from Wadena Composite High, and went on to the University of Saskatchewan, got a couple of degrees, got a job, got married, had a son, saw him graduate high school and go to U of S. Now, here I am. End of story…
“As Paul Harvey always pointed out, ‘And here is the rest of the story.’
“In these 34 years, what happened? Where you started is nothing like where you are now.
“What did you learn? What did you teach?
“The world that I entered 34 years ago was a lot different than I was expecting; very different than I grew up in. This will be the same for you.
“I went from my parents’ home and community, and entered university life, and all the diversity that was contained therein. So what does our world look like? Many times I’ve said, ‘I’m not in Kansas anymore.’
“If all the world’s population was reduced to a village of 100 inhabitants with all the ratios remaining the same, it would look like this:
- 60 Asians (20 Chinese and 17 Indians), 14 Americans (six from North America and eight from 小蓝视频 America), 13 Africans, 12 Europeans, and half an Oceanian;
- 52 women and 48 men;
- 70 non-whites and 30 whites;
- 70 non-Christians and 30 Christians;
- 50.5 people live in the village and 49.5 are scattered in the country;
- Six persons possess 59 per cent of the world’s wealth, several of them are Americans;
- 50 of the village inhabitants live on two dollars a day;
- 25 live on one dollar a day;
- 25 persons consume three quarters of all the energy;
- 17 persons have no access to medical services, decent shelter, or drinking water;
- 50 suffer from malnutrition;
- 70 are illiterate;
- 80 persons live in poor quality housing;
- 11 persons have a car; this number is growing, and will probably reach 20 in 20 years;
- 20 persons have 87 per cent of the vehicles at their disposal and 84 per cent of the paper in use;
- Nine have access to the Internet;
- One person has a college education; and
- One person dies and two or three children are born into this village every year.
“The crazy part of all this, is all the people I have met, from all over the world, have the same goal- to navigate the world!” continued Klebeck. “Make a living, be successful, be happy, and do better for our kids than we had it. We take for granted what we don’t know. Canada is the best place to do all of this and that’s why we are here.
“As mentioned, I spent a lot of time, money and energy getting an education, and finally went out into the working world. I was thinking, ‘Wow, this is a big step. I have made it.’
“I got a teaching job, moved up to a principal position, spent 14 years total, then I was faced with a change of paths. I left education and entered the oil-and-gas industry. I joined a great company, worked my way up, and ended up spending 10 good years in Calgary. I continued my ‘self education’ on what diversity was all about. Remember the world village from before- the bigger the centre, the more diverse.
“I was a general manager/compliance manager for an oil service company that operated in four provinces. I also continued my education at this time and got a business administration degree from the University of Notre Dame. I did a lot of work hiring, firing, developing employee programs, training all to develop a strong workforce.
“Unfortunately- again oil tanked and again, I was faced with a change, a choice--ride out another recession. This would have been the second in 10 years for me, or move on.
“I came back to Preeceville and worked at Home Hardware. I had a great time there, then was offered an opportunity to join Pattison Agriculture, where I have been for the last three years.
“So I’m sure some of you are wondering, ‘Why is he here? He hasn’t taught our kids.’
“There are credit courses offered to grades 11 and 12 students called ‘Agriculture Equipment Technician.’ Our Preeceville Pattison branch was presented the opportunity to educate and pass on knowledge, so we have the pleasure of providing the 40 to 50 practical hours needed for the completion of this course. Some of these fine graduates came to visit us and it was a great experience.
“Ironically, I left education as a career, but it seemed to have never left me. It has followed me; in every step I took. Education does not end when you leave high school, it is never-ending. It is the key to every lock you will encounter. Every situation has a lesson to learn. Just don’t make the same mistake twice.
“Keep in mind that the world has changed. What you start out to do today may not be what you will be doing in five, 10, 15, or even 20 years. You may not retire from the career you started with.
“Build a strong foundation, everything will follow. Education and learning is the cement of this foundation.
“Remember not to compromise your integrity, no matter what the scoreboard says at the end of the game. Be humble in victory and gracious in defeat.
“Live is a marathon, not a sprint. Be the author of your own story.
“The pursuit of happiness is far sweeter than the price of success.
“Make memories. They are much more valuable than anything you can acquire. They can’t be taxed, repossessed, or taken away.
“Learning doesn’t stop here. It may get harder, but it doesn’t stop.
“So, I encourage you to listen to your elders, ask questions of everyone, take advice, and remember you are not alone out there. When you hit a wall, pivot and go in another direction.
“Enjoy the tomorrows to the fullest.
“Be safe. Good luck in wherever your journey takes you.
“God bless you.”
