"When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things" (1 Corinthians 13:11). 

Michael Obel-Omia, Director of Admissions at Roxbury Latin School in West Roxbury, MA, recited this verse to a group of Portsmouth Abbey School students at a lecture held in the auditorium on Wednesday, February 22, 2006.  Obel-Omia's speech titled, "Integrity, Honesty and Personal Responsibility," taught students the truths behind becoming an adult, and left the audience with expressions of inspiration on their faces.

The speech covered an array of topics and issues that all high school students face while preparing to transition into adulthood. One issue he talked about was the effect of the media on young people. "Daily, even hourly, you are bombarded with images of adulthood," said Obel-Omia. "From the magazines that you read, the television programs that you watch, the Internet websites that you visit and the conversations that you hold out of the earshot of adults in the locker rooms and dormitory rooms of this beautiful campus."

Obel-Omia warned that these images assault and convince young people that engaging in risky behavior, making lots of money and gaining position through unhealthy competition is the way to assert their manhood or womanhood. He also mentioned that the lack of good role models in today's society prompts teens to listen to the people who are selling these images.

Obel-Omia also spoke about how students can make a difference to the world around them. He expressed how important it is for students to not just accept their culture because it is easy and convenient, but to act in a way that changes society. "We need intelligence to solve our world's most vexing problems, and we should honor those men and women with good minds, but what is the mind without the heart?" Obel-Omia asked the students. "And acts, good, decent acts, are why we are on this earth. Indeed, words and deeds are entirely different-sometimes in opposition to one another-and in order for someone to assume the mantle of responsibility, to do what needs to be done, one must act-and act in a way that is filled with faith, with hope, with charity."

In regards to the future of our world, Obel-Omia told the students to never forget that with integrity, honesty and understanding of their fellow man, they could carve out the kind of world in which they want to live. "You shape the world you want to live in, and I hope that it will be a world filled with child-like wonder at what we can accomplish."

To view photos of this event click here.