Piute County School District,

For decades the first thing Piute students encountered at Piute High School was a big wooden block “P” in front of the school. It was about nine feet tall with a maybe two foot brick and concrete base. When the high school was rebuilt the wooden block “P” was removed. 

If you were to wander between Memorial Mall and Academy Park on the campus of Purdue University you would notice a block “P” of similar size and shape, but instead of wood it is made of bronze. You would also notice that it is unfinished. The “P” monument was designed by university students and committees to be a symbol that when students leave they are not finished learning.

The following is the inscription on the monument “This sculpture serves as a reminder that even after graduating from Purdue, our experience is not over. Rather, we carry through life our numerous memories, friendships, lessons learned, and skills acquired. This sculpture encourages all Purdue students, alumni, and friends to treasure all that Purdue has blessed us with and to keep the Purdue experience close at heart, not only for ourselves but for all that we loved here and for all those students who, for various reasons, did not get the opportunity to complete the Purdue experience. In essence, the real Purdue is not simply the physical facility or the location of the University but the cumulative and lasting impact and wonder of our interactions with faculty, staff, other students, and all the events that occur during our time together. Once a part of the experience, we are all together eternally Purdue.”

Consider what you have gained and what value has been added to your life through education. Consider those that may not have had so many opportunities and such support. We have the opportunity to shape and mold young minds, but we ourselves remain unfinished. I’m grateful for the opportunity to keep learning everyday and I’m grateful to be surrounded by good people that do the same. Hold what you’ve gained close and keep adding more.

Thanks for a great start to the school year,

Koby