June in the U.S. represents the end of a long academic year, the final stretch of a marathon that leaves most participants gasping and gutted by the time they reach the finish line. Even in those states and schools where class is permanently dismissed by Memorial Day, the June SAT and ACT still demand commitment and focus from teens and tutors seduced by that sweet siren song of summer.
Students struggling to earn their best scores in June face an uphill battle, considering the twin terrors of fatigue and distraction that work against them. Those of us working to help at least some of those students avoid an almost certain retest in August or September have to contend with those challenges along with fatigue of our own, especially as we simultaneously reload for the summer season.
So cheers to each of you who, in going the distance, help your students do the same! I salute you and celebrate your labors with a very fine song from a very fine band:
Reluctantly crouched at the starting line
Engines pumping and thumping in time
The green light flashes, the flags go up
Churning and burning, they yearn for the cup
They deftly maneuver and muscle for rank
Fuel burning fast on an empty tank
Reckless and wild, they pour through the turns
Their prowess is potent and secretly stern
As they speed through the finish, the flags go down
The fans get up and they get out of town
The arena is empty except for one man
Still driving and striving as fast as he can
The sun has gone down and the moon has come up
And long ago somebody left with the cup
But he’s driving and striving and hugging the turns
And thinking of someone for whom he still burns
He’s going the distance
He’s going for speed
She’s all alone (all alone)
All alone in her time of need
Because he’s racing and pacing and plotting the course
He’s fighting and biting and riding on his horse
He’s going the distance
No trophy, no flowers, no flashbulbs, no wine
He’s haunted by something he cannot define
Bowel-shaking earthquakes of doubt and remorse
Assail him, impale him with monster-truck force
In his mind, he’s still driving, still making the grade
She’s hoping in time that her memories will fade
‘Cause he’s racing and pacing and plotting the course
He’s fighting and biting and riding on his horse
The sun has gone down and the moon has come up
And long ago somebody left with the cup
But he’s striving and driving and hugging the turns
And thinking of someone for whom he still burns
He’s going the distance
He’s going for speed
He’s going the distance
Godspeed, June test takers… you’ll need it!
— Mike Bergin
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