Although I've wished for this day to come for the longest time, I have to be honest, the last couple of months, I've kind of dreaded it. I have even dreaded writing this speech. I knew writing it, was one thing, but then knowing that I would have to read it, in front of you today was even worse. To some of you, this may be a surprise -- me, nervous? Who could imagine? ... But there was no getting out of it. It was too late for me to resign, and it didn't look like I was going to get impeached. Besides, my twin got sick, and now here I am, delivering this rite of passage speech.
We are gathered here today, in celebration of the 94th commencement ceremony at Baldwin Sr. High School. Everyone, we're finally graduating! This is great, exciting, and even surprising. It was just a few years ago, we as a class were entering the high school as freshmen, and now here we are seniors, getting ready to depart. Sadly, in just a few moments, we'll throw up our caps, hug our classmates, and get ready to walk back out the field, to prepare for our futures. Our futures -- what a strange word, and scary thought. But our futures shouldn't be considered with intimidation, but with determination and anticipation. Baldwin High School has prepared us well for our future endeavors and offered us a great deal. Besides such indispensable things as education and support, Baldwin has provided us with many cherished memories. Some of the things I'll always remember are the constant opportunity, funny situations, great experiences, lessons I've learned, dedicated teachers, and most of all, special friendships.
On this day, June 26th, I would like to applaud everyone on his or her milestone just reached. As we all know, graduating from high school isn't easy. Graduating from high school is a rite of passage. It is an accomplishment, which we all deserve. It takes possession of discipline, dedication, determination and direction to be where we are, ready to graduate.
"Education is your passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today," Malcolm X said. I sat and pondered about how to describe our class, and after weeks of tedious thought, I came up with just one word: UNIQUE.
The Random House Dictionary defines the word unique as having no like or equal and/or being the only one of its kind. In essence, that's exactly who we are!
Our class is permeated with so many diverse and gifted young adults, just waiting to make a mark in the world. Yet as we set off into a larger reality, I hope we won't choose to erase the core of all our successes: BALDWIN.
Our future endeavors can be credited to our high school, Baldwin Sr. High School, along with our parents and the rest of our community, who have supported us in so many ways. To many of us, Baldwin has been a beginning, a place filled with opportunity, and to many, like myself, a place we call home. I, like many of you, have experienced many great memories and lessons in this high school.Revealed to us in high school were true friends, caring faculty, first loves, special talents, championships in sports and much more.
Another reason why I describe our class as unique is based on a more solemn note.This past September, we came into our senior year excited only to become saddened just a few days later by the tragedy that occurred just miles away in our beloved New York City. This was the day -- Sept. 11 -- that our prized and symbolic World Trade Center and Twin Towers were bombed and destroyed.
The event caused great turmoil in our country. What we thought would never happen actually did happen, with an everlasting impact. Our American feeling of being an invincible, comfortable nation had been stripped from us. Not just as a country, yet also as a class we've been affected. Our original senior trip to Walt Disney World scheduled for the spring, was reconsidered, as a concern for flying arose.
But instead of dwelling upon this, our class made the best of this tragic situation. "The world cares very little about a man who knows; it is what he is able to do that counts," said George Washington. We as a class had the desire to help all those people and families affected. Many organizations and clubs bonded together to aid those families who were struck directly by this tragedy, and without hesitation, many of our peers donated blood at our blood drive.
This was the first time, in many years, our country had to handle something this big: the loss of the WTC, Twin Towers, loss of talented policemen, firemen and innocent civilians. But with the loss of all these things and our carefree, democratic thoughts and actions, we gained a stronger sense of patriotism, unity, and this love for our country was openly demonstrated.We handled it well and we will always remember what and who was lost that day....
And to the class of 2002, congratulations and I wish you all success and happiness!
