Graduation Speech -- Graduation Speech, Commencement Address

Are you ready for the real world? Will I am ready, and I want to help you out. ... I want to pump you up! Tonight marks a turning point in our lives as young adults. This milestone of graduating with a high school education has come at last. And yet, knowledge does not exist solely in scholarly facts, but more so in the relationships and friendships that we have forged along the way. Albert Schweitzer once said, "At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us." As I look at the graduating class of 2012 I am reminded of the unique gifts each one of us has to offer the world. We are artists, poets, playwrights, comedians, singers, musicians and athletes. We are dreamers, believers, thinkers and doers. We are strong-minded, determined, truth-seeking, hardworking and compassionate. But who showed us the way along our journey, and how do we know if we are stayi ng the course? Family has and always will be one of the most important things in our lives. Look around this gymnasium and take in the love and support that our parents, friends, teachers and administrators are showing for us by sharing with us this special night. Here at Young, parents and teachers have had an unspoken agreement of joint custody for years. Whether that be tucking us into our bed at night or tucking us into our desk in the morning. We will never forget the words of encouragement. I will always remember Mr. Gann's "You miss school, you miss out," or Mr. Fellows' "Lack of planning on your part does not necessarily constitute an emergency on my part." I don't have to think hard to remember the smell of freshly baked hoagie bread on Wednes... ...ge. Do you know that you are very strong? The next page is the end of this book, and there is a Monster at the end of this book. Oh, I am so scared! Please do not turn the page. Please, please, please. Well look at that! This is the end of the book, and the only one here is . . . me. I, lovable, furry old Grover, am the Monster at the end of this book. And you were so scared! I told you and told you there was nothing to be afraid of. Oh, I am so embarrassed ..." All of us are like Grover, in that we could let our fears take hold to inhibit us and keep us from getting what we truly want. But it isn't until we truly realize that sometimes, in order to face our fears, it can be as easy as turning a page. Having the courage to be the person you are and want to be. And so I would like to congratulate the graduating class of 2003, and I thank you for all the memories.