Local students get world-class advice
September 5, 2013
Bonners Ferry High School students received sage advice for the future Wednesday from the inimitable Ben Stein.
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."

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 to 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.