Graduation Speech

I was chosen to give the Graduation Speech this year. It was a lot more difficult than I expected it would be. I kept it short hoping the students and audience would appreciate getting out of the hot and muggy auditorium sooner than we did last year. If you would like to read the speech, here it is....


These students were given the opportunity to choose their speaker for tonight. So first, they thought they would ask the most comical teacher, but they were turned down. So second, they turned to the smartest teacher, that teacher also turned them down. On to the third, the most athletic teacher, that teacher said no as well. Then they thought they could count on the best looking teacher but sadly they were rejected a 4th time. Feeling a little discouraged and disappointed they thought they would try one last time. So they asked the most inspirational teacher, and that’s when I began to think, I can’t turn them down 5 times! So here I am.
Members of the school board, administrators, faculty, Graduates, family, and friends, it’s a privilege to be with you this evening. I want to thank Steven, Shawnya and Tabatha for their remarks. I’ve never seen students so excited to speak at their graduation. These students had their speeches written several weeks ago! Thank you for being prepared and doing such a wonderful job.
To begin, I would like to take a minute to conduct a survey. This survey is for the audience. Graduates, please pay attention.
How many of you in the audience remember your high school graduation? Raise your hands and please keep them raised.
Out of those raising your hands, how many of you specifically remember a little of what was said at your graduation? If you don’t remember anything, lower your hands.
Of those left with hands still raised, how many of you were so inspired by a remark made by any of the speakers… that what they said, in some way shaped your life? Keep your hands raised…..
Graduates, please take notice that there are very few hands still raised.
With you, I’d like to change that. Tonight I hope to say something that you will remember and that what I say…. may positively impact your life now or in years to come.

Class you have a special meaning to me. My first year of teaching was the same year some of you first attended EA. I’ve been able to watch you grow, physically, mentally and socially. I’ve had almost all of you in my classes. I’ve laughed with you, shared stories, experiences, knowledge and believe it or not, I’ve even cried with a few of you. I’m pleased to see that you have stuck with it through thick and thin.
As a teacher we have the privilege to watch you grow. I would like to share with you a story that relates to what you may have gone through the last few years. It may seem a little juvenile, but the message is valuable.

There was a farmer who had a large garden. Twice a day, the farmer would grab two pails, put them on his shoulders and walk down to the stream. He would fill them up and walk back to his garden to water his plants. Eventually, one of the pails developed a hole in its side. The pail, recognized this and thought to himself,
“Why is the farmer still using me to carry his water even though I only carry half of what I should?”
Days and weeks go by, and still the farmer carried the weakened pail. Curious and surprised by his continued use, the pail broke his silence and spoke to the farmer saying,
“Mr. Farmer, why do you continue to use me to water your garden? Because of the hole in my side, I am capable of only bringing up half of the water you need. What is stopping you from throwing me away and getting a new pail?”
The farmer listened intently to what the pail had to say, then he felt compassion for the pail, and decided to share with him, his secret.
He responded to the pail with a simple task,
“Dear Pail, when we walk to the stream this morning, I want you to look at the side of the trail. When we arrive at the stream, tell me what you see.”
The pail agreed and the farmer routinely threw the pails on his shoulders. On the way down to the stream, the pail watched the barren ground pass by. The whole way down, he saw dirt, rocks, and few plants that could only survive in the desert.
Confused, the pail wondered how staring at the ground was going to answer his question. Once they arrived, he told the farmer exactly what he saw. The farmer nodded and then replied with another task for the pail,
“On the way back to the garden, I want you to look at the ground once more and when we arrive, I want you to tell me what you see.”
Again the pail agreed, and up to the house they went. While he was watching the ground something was dramatically different. There was neither dirt nor rock to be found. Pleasantly surprised he saw flowers of vibrant colors, luscious green grass, and many kinds of small shrubbery.
The pail happily told the farmer what he saw and the farmer smiled, nodded and replied,
“Weeks ago, I knew you developed a hole in your side and so I decided to turn your disadvantage into your biggest strength. Twice a day, you have given me the pleasure of viewing a beautiful flower garden that you have watered for me. This is why I did not give up on you.”
Just like the pail, many of you came to EA looking for ways to strengthen yourselves, which in time through your hard work, perseverance, dedication, and the help of some farmers…. you have become strong!! And you have given us the pleasure of seeing your smiling faces upon this stage tonight.
Some of you, may have never realized, that you could be sitting here on this stage. The funny thing is, most people never know what they are truly capable of.
Speaking of capabilities, the musical group, “The Eagles,” sang something profound in their song, Already Gone, 1974. Some of the lyrics read,
“So often times it happens that we live our lives in chains
And we never even know, WE have the key!”
-Your chains have started to loosen; you need to continue to utilize the keys you have obtained. Some of you may wonder what keys I’m talking about. It’s not just the Reading, Writing, Math, Science, or History. These keys are different, they will help you function at higher and higher levels. They are;
Ambition and Motivation, Creativity and Responsibility.
There is no other way to say this, BE AMBITIOUS! Be motivated to continually better your lives. Chase your interests, your dreams, and hunt them down.
Your next key should not be wasted! Use your natural creativity to bring happiness into your life and into the lives of others.
Lastly, Responsibility. It is now YOUR responsibility to USE these keys.
Graduates, you hold the keys to your own future. Put your keys to work and unlock your chains to live the life of your wildest dreams and continue to be successful!!
Congratulations! And Thank You!