Senior Year Box Set

I looked up because started to become emotional and had to blink back a tear of gratitude for what that man had done for me. None of what I’d been able to accomplish would’ve been possible without him kicking my butt and putting me on the path I now traveled.

I took a moment to glance over the crowd, and everyone seemed riveted by my words. I became contemplative.

“Strange, the stuff you remember. The people, the places. The moments in time that are crystal clear, and you’ll never forget, while other memories fade into oblivion. I’m sure we can all agree that I’ve lived a life different from others. Before my trip to my uncle’s farm, I saw no path before me. I simply took step after step that never seemed to be forward. It was as if I was spinning my wheels as I simply marked time.

“I’m sure many of you have felt that way. We just get by to survive another day, week, year, a lifetime. One day, you’ll turn around and realize that each step you’d taken was a choice, like that cheesy poster said. To go left, to go right. To go forward, backward, or to simply stand still.

“Every day, you have a choice between right and wrong. Between love and hate. Unfortunately, sometimes between life and death. At some point, those choices become your life. The day you realize that will be the day you take control of your life and become an adult,” I said.

Then I decided to try to explain my point differently.

“Some people say that everything happens for a reason. As a churchgoer, I hear it as ‘It’s God’s will.’ Not that I don’t think we all have a destiny to fulfill.

“What I want you to do is think about it for a moment. If that were true, then all your efforts would simply make you slaves to some cosmically predetermined set outcome. It would be as if we have no say in the matter. Or that we might or might not be capable of getting what we desire, because it is all left up to some higher power.

“If you want a life of purpose, one where you’re in charge, begin by reversing your notion that everything happens for a reason. We all have free will—or, at least, life and the world work better if we act as if we have free will. Because if you don’t actively make choices, you’re just a leaf floating on a stream.

“So, instead of ‘leaving it to God’ or the fates, redefine your thinking about the future. Not as some eventual explanation of some future terrible tragedy or glorious achievement. But instead as validation of the thoughtful choices that will lead you to what you wanted to have happen. Assert authority over chance, fate, and destiny. Everything does happen for a reason, and the reason is you, through your actions … or inactions.

“To attain success, we must make the hard choices. We must do the unpleasant things, risk our most valuable assets, and do away with the shackles designed to limit us. Above all, we can’t get sucked into listening to others who think they know what’s best for us. Realize that they have their own personal agendas, and in the end, that each of us has to decide what’s best for ourselves.

“Remember that nothing worthwhile is ever achieved without sacrifice. True greatness only comes to those willing to pursue it at any cost. Once you have that mindset, nothing will stop you,” I shared and paused once again.

“As you leave here today, I see a bright future for each and every one of you. Stride forth with confidence. Seize the opportunities that are presented to you. And remember to have fun while doing it,” I said, breaking my word about the uplifting ‘go forward and conquer the world’ BS noted in all these kinds of speeches.

I paused one last time and smiled at everyone.

“I want to leave you with one last thought. We’ve built something here at Lincoln High. I personally want to see what we’ve achieved become an inspiration and set the standard for years to come so that we leave a legacy here. With that in mind, I want to share with you my feelings about this high school,” I said.

I saw Cassidy roll her eyes at me, but I plowed forward.

“Home. It’s more than just a word. It’s your story, it’s your family, it’s the place where it all began. Home is where we grew up. It’s a walk downtown. It’s firing up the grill for a barbecue before a game.

“For us, it’s continuing the tradition of winning, of striving for excellence, of being the best we can possibly be. No matter how many times your address changes, or wherever you may go, Lincoln High will always be your home, and all roads lead back home.

“Go Lincoln High! Go Bulldogs! This is our house! This is our home!” I shouted as my classmates stood and cheered.

“Now, let’s go party!”

We forgot about the solemn exit parade that had been planned as I jumped off the stage and led my classmates out of the building. We said our goodbyes, reminisced about some fond memories, and took more than a few pictures. It really was official now. I’d graduated from high school.

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