Leaving with memorable advice for students

Mr. Robert Tortorelli Counselor

Stopwork and put your pencil down. Congratulations, you have just completed the 2022-2023 school year. What does that mean? Was this a test? Completing the 2022 -2023 school year will have a different outcome for each of us. For me, it is my last of 28 years at Maine South. I feel extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with so many wonderful, talented, and interesting students and staff members over the years. I do have some insight and advice to share with my current students regarding the end of this school year and what the future may bring.

For my freshman: I hardly knew ye, but I like what I see. You did it. Your first year of high school is over. You have learned a great deal and you are ready for more. Well done. Now that you know what you’re doing, don’t screw it up.

Sophomores: your high school experience is at the midpoint. It has been a pleasure seeing you halfway there. Exciting opportunities await you in your second half. Seek out challenges and embrace them. You are ready to be upperclassmen, but don’t let it go to your head.

Juniors: you started high school during the pandemic. You adapted and responded well. In a way, I feel like we have unfinished business. I am sorry to leave the party early on you, but I am confident you will finish strong next year. Leadership awaits you. Make your senior year the best.

Seniors: congratulations class of 2023 as you complete your final year of high school. It seems like a long time ago that you started at Maine South, pre-pandemic, in Freshman Focus—that fun place where we made you feel comfortable in high school by getting you out of your comfort zone. Then the world changed with the pandemic, and the challenges of isolation that went along with it. Finally, you helped to establish the new Maine South upon your return to the building. Your four - year high school experience has been like no other. You passed the test. Take what you have learned at Maine South and move forward with confidence, creativity, purpose, and passion.

So, what about me? This final year has been especially rewarding, but I have great memories going way back to attending Maine West High School, the University of Illinois, and then teaching before starting my career as a school counselor at Maine South. Counselors give advice, but we also need to listen. I have really enjoyed listening to and getting to know my students. I have learned a great deal from you and I admire your resilience. Watching awkward freshman mature into young adults ready to take on the world is an amazing show and one that I will miss. I will miss listening to your stories, your struggles, and your triumphs. I will miss seeing students at after school competitions and performances. I will also miss my Irish Club friends and the culture, the food, the music, and even the Gaelic football games that we have enjoyed together. I will miss the Hawk Links helping our transfer students. Side note: be nice to everyone, especially transfer students. I will not miss being asked about parking passes, but I will miss you all.

If I am going to miss so much, why am I retiring? Sometimes, it’s just time, and as I begin my journey on to new adventures, I do so with much gratitude, appreciation and wonderful memories from my time at Maine South. Wishing you all the best.