John's Graduation Speech 6/9/09

Teachers, Parents, Friends and my fellow students. The long wait is over, and for all the hard work you did from Kindergarten to 12th grade, you shall receive the ultimate reward: a piece of paper signed by the principal. Not that I have anything against getting a piece of paper autographed by Ms. Tamberlain but last time I checked principal signatures are not a hot ticket item on eBay.

Whats important however is not a worthless piece of paper but how we got the worthless piece of paper. The journey each and every one of us went through to get this piece of paper is unique in its own way but, each of us are tied by at least one common thread, and that is this school.

One thing that I will never forget about this school is the attitude the students had towards each other. While everyone knew that helping anyone other than themselves, would hurt the curve, it didnt matter because if someone needed help they were for sure to receive it. This is the Tino paradox. But something I have learned throughout my years here is that service to our fellow man is not just a virtue but a way of life. Anyone can sign up for a community service. But true community service is informal. For whatever you do when no one is monitoring you is the most important. Throughout my four years here I have seen students helping other students and that my friends is true selflessness, service with no reward.

For those of you who don't know me I am not the kind of guy you would see shouting at the top of his lungs when it comes to rallies. In fact I could probably count the rallies I have been to on one hand, that is assuming of course that all my fingers were missing. Only recently have I began to understand the purpose of rallies. I used to ask myself "Why would anyone spend days working on posters that were going to cushion the bottom of a dumpster within two days." But then I realized that even this is a service. To create an environment for students to enjoy is a great service. The enthusiasm expressed at school rallies is no less than that of political rallies. I ask of you only one request, that the same effort and energy that you put into our rallies be put into everything that you do.

As of this point in our life, the freedom guaranteed to us by the Constitution of this great nation shines brighter than any beacon. And now more than ever we assume the rights and responsibilities as Americans. No longer does the excuse of Im only a kid hold any ground. Our decisions and in turn our future are now in our hands. I would like to thank you all for your time and patience with me. I would like to thank my colleagues my teachers my friends and especially my parents for without them I would not be before you today. Before I leave this pulpit I would like to quote a brilliant philosopher; former president George W. Bush. "To those of you who received honors, awards and distinctions, I say well done. And to the C students, I say you too may one day be president of the United States." Best of luck to all of you and Godspeed.

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Great sppech John. Loved the George W Bush quote. CONGRATULATIONS!