Wizard Of Oz Spark Notes

For those of you somehow unfamiliar with the tale, here are the Spark Notes: Dorothy is a small-town Kansas girl who dreamed of life somewhere over the rainbow. She gets swept up in a tornado and dropped into a strange yet wonderful land called Oz. How did the author come up with the name Oz anyway? Baum said it came to him one day when he was staring – probably asking that question Ian shared concerning the ending time of class – at a set of filing drawers labeled A-G, H-N and O-Z. As a result, files O through Z became the basis for one of the great place names in the fantasy culture of childhood, the predecessor and equal of Never-Never Land, Narnia and Hogwarts’. But I digress, back to the Spark Notes. In order for Dorothy to get home,
she has to follow the yellow brick road to the Emerald City where the great and powerful wizard of Oz will grant her wish.

Much like Dorothy’s experience, leaving NAHS can sometimes feel like you’ve been sucked into a tornado because you will be moving into a strange new world – adulthood.
Its Dorothy’s journey to the Emerald City that I have always loved best and one that reminds me a bit of your journey through high school.

Since arriving here in the fall of 2010 you have made your way through fairly unknown lands towards a goal, your diploma, which at the time seemed a long way off.

Along the way, you picked up some friends and allies who taught you the importance of brains, heart and courage. In the Wizard of Oz, the Scarecrow wanted a brain. The brain represents preparation and lifelong learning. You must continue to read, to study, to learn, to become greater than you were yesterday. Will you continue to feed your mind, long after you leave this place? Remember, as the Scarecrow tells Dorothy, “Some people without brains do an awful lot of talking.”

The Tin Man sought a heart. The heart is about how you treat people. Its about emotions and caring. How will you treat people? How do you treat people now? Remember, the Wizard told the Tin Man, “A heart is not judged by how much you love; but how much you are loved by
others.”

The Cowardly Lion was in search of courage. Courage is about convictions. As you face your future, you are going to need a lot of courage. Our world is full of challenges, and you might have to stand up for what is right. Its not easy and sometimes you may have to stand alone. Remember, the Wizard told the Lion, “You have plenty of courage I am sure, all you need is confidence in yourself. There is no living thing that is not afraid when facing danger. The true courage is in facing danger when you are afraid and that kind of courage you have in plenty.”

Back to your journey.
The Wicked Witch of the West (hmmm, who could that be?) popped up from time to time to force you to focus, and test your courage and commitment. It was lucky you had a number of Good Witches (lets call them your teachers, counselors and Assistant Principal) to guide you through and give help when needed.

Now I am sure you’re asking, what about Dorothy???
She wanted to go over that rainbow, but when she got there she realized that all she needed was right at home. A pretty woman covered in bling told her to “follow the yellow brick road” and she would get home. Home is a support system, a place to come back to. It’s a place where you’re loved unconditionally, much like you were here at North Andover High School. Home is where you turn when there is trouble in your life. Will you remember where you’re from? Will you draw strength from your school, your community, your family?

Tonight is not about lions and tigers and bears. Its definitely not about any colors other than red and black. Tonight is about a band of Knights about to make their mark on the world. Remember, as you leave, you won’t be in Kansas anymore. Brains, heart and courage come in handy. Success lies over that rainbow, but no matter where your yellow brick road leads you, you can always come home because . . . ”There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home, there’s no
place.”