Local students get world-class advice
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September 5, 2013 |
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Bonners Ferry High School students
received sage advice for the future
Wednesday from the inimitable Ben Stein. |
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Bonners Ferry High School students received a
rare treat Wednesday when possibly the most
stoic actor in history, an economics professor
whom many of the students had seen portray an
economics professor in the movie, "Ferris
Bueller's Day Off."
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Ben Stein |
Ben Stein, valedictorian of his Yale Law School
class, speech writer to two U.S. presidents,
noted commentator on politics and economics and
much more in his storied career, came to Bonners
Ferry to offer students his world-class advice
as they chart their paths to the future.
He told of the ten things he wishes he'd known
before he left high school.
While portions of his address were delivered in
the deadpan monotone for which his famous,
punctuated with brief flashes of his enigmatic
yet laconic smile, Stein showed students
and staff something most didn't know he
possessed, honest emotion.
He began by telling of Boundary County residents
he's met in the few years he and his wife,
Alexandra, have spent their summers in
Sandpoint, even naming a few. One of them was
the BFHS social studies teacher he met three
years ago, Mrs. Gina Brown, whose invitation to
speak led to his visit.
Though a denizen of Washington, D.C., and
Beverly Hills, used to moving in the ranks of
the nation's most famous, he displayed an
amazing affinity for North Idaho, a place he
clearly loves.
It showed most clearly in the way he spoke to
his audience, addressing not only the students,
but their teachers as well, coming across not so
much as a celebrity, but as an older and wise
relative truly interested in those with whom he
was privileged to share those things he'd
learned.
Marry wisely. Pursue a career that not only puts
food on the table, but one you look forward to
going every morning.
"It's better to be fair at a good job you love
than to be the best at a poor job you don't," he
said.
Put off those things you want in favor of those
you need, and save, not only for a rainy day,
but for self respect. Use credit wisely.
Take care of yourself. Stay away from those
habits that can harm you. Never stop striving,
for yourself, your family, your community.
Dress well, groom well; first impressions count.
Perhaps his most revealing comments concerned
his assessment of the local economy.
"A good job here will likely be in government,"
he said, "and most of you will not find a good
job here. Don't be afraid to go out into the
world, to go where there are jobs."
While he stood on his own merits and
accomplishments, and dropped the famous names of
a few of his friends as examples; Warren Buffet,
Judge Judy Sheindlin, his overarching message
was clear to anyone who listened.
We all begin with the same potential. Be
practical, be frugal, be wise. You can succeed. |
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