I’ll preface it with this- I had hoped that I would have seen you folks graduate. I started with you, you were my first group of students, and you all hold a special place in my heart. Life is messy. I started writing this speech when you were freshmen.
Dear Graduates, Faculty, School Committee Members, Families and Guests,
I’m going to be facing you, Graduates, because you are the reason we’re here. Today, the first Friday in June in 2015, is your day- this speech is for you and not for anyone else.
First, let me set the record straight. I didn’t plan on lying to you, it just sort of started to happen over time because, as I learned, Freshman are very curious creatures. I am not from Canada, nor have I ever been to Saskatchewan. I never worked for the U.S. government as a spy. I was not best friends with a guy who’s grandfather invented paperclips.
I actually don’t know, like most teachers, what the best lesson I ever taught you was. Really, I want you to turn out to be good people, to just care about something; anything.
So I started to take notes on all of you over the course of my time at Pioneer.
(This next section is redacted- I was going to verify who indeed was graduating and had something that I learned about each of you. If you want to know, reach out to me- I’ll gladly share it)
The future is scary. But even scarier is living in the past. Per Scrubs “Nothing in this world that’s worth having comes easy.” I will repeat that, “Nothing in this world that’s worth having comes easy.”
What should matter most to you shouldn’t necessarily be anything that’s tangible. It is people that matter. Look around, take a good look. Chances are you will only remain friends with a few people in this group- people tend to follow the properties of diffusion, and spread out.
Put down your phones. When you’re in college, put them away. Meet people- but actually meet them. Spend time with people. Put effort into relationships with people. You will miss out if you don’t.
Another observation that I’ve noticed is a trend of those usually at the top of the class. It’s a skill to be able to collaborate with others. In my experience, the people who make it in college are those that make friends. I probably don’t remember half of the content, but that’s not life. You shouldn’t just be a little cog in the machinery that is the status quo.
Care about something. Develop yourself in some way. Dedicate yourself to being a better.
Over the last 4 years, you’ve grown up to become the people I see in front of me today.
Thank you for everything. I truly wish you the best with what comes next. I love you guys!
In light of the Senior Trip Incident, I wanted to tell you how hard it is. The decision to not walk, I’m sure, is something that administration did not take lightly. There were rules that were clearly broken. With that said, as someone unaffiliated with that school any longer, I hope your campaign works. Peaceful protest shows a lot of character.
Best,
JD
PS- #Letthemwalk
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