Graduation Speech
…Thank you Mr. Meyer. Family, Friends, and Class of 2012: I must say that though I am honored to be speaking here today, this speech was probably the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to write. I had written a speech last weekend in the late night/early morning while my mind was so oddly motivated to do so. When I had gone to reread it later, I found that it was never properly saved and that I had lost the speech that took me three painstaking hours to write. My frustration carried on with me during my ice-cream scooping shift at Murdock Farms that day and a customer - a man in his mid-sixties - had sensed my frustration and asked what was wrong. I told him about my speech, or lack thereof, to which he responded very sincerely and sympathetically; “My gosh, I have never lost a speech before, but this one time, I did lose my dentures.” Quickly my worries about my lost speech had been relieved with a great joke from a complete stranger. I then realized that maybe it was not so bad to have lost my first speech, not only would I write a better one, but so that I could have the chance to experience the humor and kindness that I had found in a random stranger that day. In that moment, I was actually thankful for having lost my speech.
Choosing a theme for the speech was difficult because I seriously don’t know what to say to a group of people my age. To quote a Chicago Tribune Reporter “Advice, like youth, is probably just wasted on the young.” After all, I’m only 18, what do I really know about life? And being 18, just like most of you, I don’t know how wise or relevant, although well-intended, any of my advice will be.
But, Class of 2012: If I could give you one piece of advice, the only advice I know so far in life that is essential to living a great life, it is that you should always say “Thank You”. You must always remember to say “Thank You” every time someone holds the door open for you, every time someone helps you with a problem, and anytime someone does a genuinely kind thing for you. Now many may say that saying “Thank You” is a basic mannerism, something that should be in our second-nature, something that our parents taught us when we were toddlers. But many fail to recognize that these two words together are the most important words in the human language. They present a great deal of gratitude when expressed but also pierce the heart if never presented. However, I’ve learned another meaning to these two words not too long ago while having a lunch date with a lovely and successful businesswoman. In the midst of her giving me advice for my future, she shared a heart-wrenching story of the time she almost lost her life as a teenager in an automobile accident – an accident that took the life of one of her friends. She had told me that she simply believes that she survived because she has a purpose in life and that every day she says “Thank You” for being alive, no matter how good or bad of a day she may be having. Saying “Thank you” is not only relevant to when someone does something nice for you; it also fits for those matters that aren’t so kind and are often difficult and complicated. When you’re going through life, there will be times when you’re faced with trials and tribulations, some in which you will never understand the roots of but they are going to teach you lessons that will make you stronger and wiser. Remember to face these challenges with an open mind and heart and be thankful, for these give you a chance to shine and to grow as an individual. I know that the moment I heard of my customer’s account of losing his dentures, I was thankful for losing my speech the first time. I was thankful that something misfortunate happened, because I was able to make the best of it. Don’t forget to say “Thank You” for those serendipitous moments in your life; they happened for a reason and always know that you are here for a purpose.
Class of 2012: you are surrounded today by copious amounts of guests, some who have traveled far and wide just to see you start a new chapter in your life. They respect, admire, and love you. Don’t forget to say “Thank You” to them. Say “Thank You” to the teachers who have made it possible for to be at this ceremony today, for they have dealt with senioritis all year and were still gracious enough to pass you. Do not forget to say “Thank You” to them. Do not forget to say “Thank You” to your siblings no matter how irritating or annoying they are, since you will learn that they are the link to your past and will stick with you for the rest of your life. Do not forget to say “Thank You” to your parents; the people who brought into this world and will help you transition into the real world after today. Your parents will do anything for you because they love you. They always have and they always will. Do not forget to say “Thank You” to them because they will still be supporting you when you are thousands and thousands of dollars in debt and jobless after your college graduation in four years. Last and but not least, don’t forget to say “Thank You” to each other, your classmates. Some of us are great friends while some of us are just acquaintances.You should acknowledge the fact that we have been together for 12 years. We have taught each other countless life lessons, both good and bad, things that that no movies, books, or TV shows ever could. Some of our classmates have decided to serve our country; do not forget to say “Thank You” to these individuals. Some of us are going into the medical field, engineering field or education field to make the world a better place, don’t forget to say thank you to these people. We have experienced with each other some of the best moments of our lives and We have also fought through the darkest moments of our lives this past year. We were there for each other when we needed someone’s shoulder to cry on in the midst of losing one of our own classmates. And we were there for each other to mend our hearts to become whole again. DO NOT FORGET TO SAY THANK YOU to one another.
As for my personal “Thank You”, I want to thank YOU all; The Class of 2012 for electing me to be your Class President for the last 3 years. Though being president was often overwhelming, frustrating, and exhausting I would not have traded it for the world. What other class could dominate the Tournament of Plays competition for two years? What other class could raise 1,200 dollars and make their principal be Mr. Incredible for a day? What other class could raise $4,000 in just two weeks for Jose Freitas’ family in the wake of his death? What class could modestly propose our junior ushers to wear yellow tuxedos to prom? What other class has boys who will proudly do the single ladies dance during a pep rally routine? No other class could do any of these things because the class of 2012 did it best. We achieved success so high that no other class could light a candle to us and we wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. You all have taught me to become a go-getter that settles for nothing less than greatness. And for that I THANK YOU.
While my speech cannot give you advice as to what stock you should be investing in or the major that is most likely to get you a steady paying job after college, you can trust me on this Thank You thing. It is not only customary, but it’s a gift that keeps on giving to both others and yourself. It will help you soar to great heights and achieve joy. It is most appreciated feeling in the world to know that you are appreciated. Don’t ever forget and always remember to say “Thank You.”
