Congrats to this year’s graduates
The Class of 2008 made the big walk last night, ending their high school careers and enjoying one of the biggest milestones of their young lives.
As usual, the event was greeted with mixed emotions: Happiness for the students, who are now ready to take the next step into young adulthood, and sadness as the end of their childhoods are officially marked.
And, as usual, poignant speeches marked the commencement ceremony, as those young adults prepared to embark on the next step of their lives. And your friendly neighborhood sports columnist was not invited to make that address.
Fortunately, I have this forum, which allows me to offer the remarks I would have made, had the opportunity presented itself. Now, If I may have a moment of your attention, I offer the commencement address that might have been:
‘Ladies and gentlemen, let me first thank you for your decision to allow me to speak to this gathering. I understand you have almost unlimited choices regarding a commencement speaker, and you are to be commended for your wisdom in deciding to select yours truly to handle the keynote address.
‘But seriously, this is truly a time of celebration, reflection and rumination. For today, we celebrate the achievements of this special group of young people, we reflect on what they have accomplished, and we ruminate on what the future holds.
‘Graduates, today is the biggest day in your 17 or 18 years ‘ to this point. If, some 20 or 30 years from now, it’s still the biggest day, then somewhere along the way you made a wrong turn.
‘Don’t get me wrong; graduating high school is a major achievement. But it is only a major achievement for a while; there are many, many more to come. Don’t hang your laurels on this day, because there are so many other laurels to be hung.
‘Remember that day when you thought you just couldn’t go on any more? It won’t be that long before you won’t even remember it. What about that other time, when you stood up for some issue you believed in more strongly than anything which had ever come before ‘ like a pep rally, or a student protest? As days become weeks, and weeks become years, you won’t even recall why you were so passionate about something so pointless.
‘I’m not saying your life hasn’t meant anything to this point. It truly has. Hopefully, as you listen to these words, you’ll find yourself passionately disagreeing with me, saying ‘I’ve really made a difference, and stood up for what I believed in.’ If so, good for you. But remember, life is long (if you’re lucky), and you’ll move on to believe in so many more poignant issues, and feel strongly about so many more important events, they’ll make these first 17 years an afterthought, at best.
‘With that said, let me offer this advice: Keep that passion, and let it grow. When you find an issue you believe in, don’t be afraid to go against the grain, and don’t be afraid to argue your point. If later down the line your opinions change, don’t be embarrassed to admit you’ve learned, you’ve grown and you’ve altered your view on the topic at hand.
‘Vote every time you have the chance, even if you know you’re backing a losing cause. It’s not the majority opinion that matters the most; what matters the most is the ability to voice your opinion, even if you’re just the lone voice shouting in the darkness.
‘And, finally, one more word of advice: Play. You’re not old yet, so every time you get the chance, get out and just play. And for goodness’ sake, don’t take yourselves so seriously. To quote that old great song from decades past, ‘this is life, the one you get. So go and have a ball.’
With that said, congratulations, Class of 2008. Go have some fun, then make the world a better place for those who come behind you.