This morning, I stumbled upon a speech I had written in high school… my valedictorian speech written to my peers. Needless to say, with only 57 students in my graduating class, we were all close friends and most of us had known each other since elementary school.
However, as I read the speech this morning, I realized that I probably needed to hear these words now more than ever. No matter what age we are, I believe we should always dare to soar… whole heartedly pursuing our dreams. As the Word says, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).
So, today I just wanted to share this speech with you, and pray that we all pursue our heart’s desire together, so that we can be all that God created us to be.
Pastor Ballew, Dr. Brooke, Superintendent Stringer, Principal Hall, Vice Principal Miller, fellow graduates, family, and friends,
It’s hard to believe this day has finally come. I think we started our “countdown to graduation” in the middle of junior year but, now we’ve finally made it! Here we are – the graduating class of 2007. Growing up, we’ve all been told to enjoy high school because it has been said to be the best time in our lives. Well, throughout our years at Temple, we have developed our personalities, interests, minds and relationships with others. So many events have occurred in high school – we received our driver’s license, excelled in our chosen sports, participated in musicals and even stressed out over finals. However, some of the most memorable moments of high school have been the ones that might seem insignificant to some… for instance, going to IHOP after football games, staying up all night watching movies with our closest friends, or as seniors, playing telephone at Wendy’s.
There is no doubt that we have had an amazing time at Temple, but today we are realizing that this phase in our lives is coming to an abrupt end. It is now time to leave our green and gold paint splattered hallways. Looking back, I, and I’m sure most of you, would say that, so far, in high school, we have had the time of our lives. However, I know that these quickly approaching years will prove to be the most significant and character defining moments for us all. We should never let memories of high school hold us back and keep us from accomplishing our dreams, but rather we should let these great times we have had and these wonderful friendships we have made inspire us to achieve our goals.
As children, we often have lofty ambitions, to be an astronaut, a famous singer, or yes, even the first lady. But as we grow older, we are told these dreams are implausible aspirations. But seniors, I want to tell you – don’t give up on your dreams, it’s never too late to do whatever you desire, NEVER. You should constantly be running toward what makes your heart beat.
It has been said, “Don’t tell me the sky is the limit, when there are footprints on the moon.” This should be our goal, to be the “footprints on the moon.” Why meander in mediocrity, when we can excel into excellence? My desire for our class is to surpass the expectations of others, to dream big, and walk out into the world, with heads held high, as fearless leaders, courageously pursuing our dreams. Not as the leaders of tomorrow, but the leaders of today.
I’m not saying we all need to be the president, a firefighter, or a major league baseball player, but in whatever we do, we must never let others extinguish our dreams. As Eleanor Roosevelt said, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
Finally, as we embark on this new phase of our lives, we must remember our roots, where we have come from. We did not attend Temple Christian School merely for an education in reading, writing, and arithmetic. We have been taught to hold firm to our beliefs and represent our Lord with integrity and honor. The Lord has called us into greatness. Just as Paul wrote, in Ephesians, “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.”
As we propel forward on our journey of life, let us remember who we are in Christ – fearfully and wonderfully made, children of the King. Let us holdfast to our beliefs and to our Christian testimony, having the same mentality of a young African martyr, who when asked to renounce his faith, replied with these words.
“I won’t give up, shut up, let up, or slow up until I’ve preached up, prayed up, paid up, stayed up, and stood up for the cause of Christ.
I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go until He comes, give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He stops. And when He comes for his own, He’ll have no trouble recognizing me — my colors will be clear.”
Congratulations to the Class of 2007!
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