GRADUATION SPEECH CLASS OF 2001

Members of the Administration; Members of the School Committee; My colleagues on the faculty; Parents and bored younger siblings of the graduates; and of course the best for last… the best graduating class this school has ever seen. Greetings also to those of you in comfortable exile in the auditorium. You are gone but not forgotten. If I fail to entertain you, Tiger Woods is on NBC.

For the last four years, my husband has learned to make a subtle distinction. In the evening when we are discussing our days, when I have referred to “our kids”, he knew I was speaking of the three amazing children who live in our home. Perhaps you have heard me mention them once or twice in class. But when I have referred to “my kids”, my husband knew I was talking about the Concord Carlisle Class of 2002. For whatever reason, from the time you entered this school four years ago, I have felt a unique and special bond with this class. My family grew resigned to the fact that for four years, they would have to share my energy, my attention and my affection with you. So I suspect that today, while my heart is heavy as I bid you farewell, my family is secretly thrilled to see the back of you. At the risk of sounding incredibly unprofessional, no matter who came before you and no matter who comes after you, you will ALWAYS be my favorite class. And I must say that I have awesome taste. Some of you I have known since day one of your freshman year. Some of you I only met this year as seniors in my Presidency course. I could not believe that there were so many amazing kids in this class whom I had not even met until year four. I thought to myself how can there possibly be this many intelligent, thoughtful and charismatic kids in one class. I wonder if you guys realize that by the luck of the draw, you dropped into a class that was so unique in terms of talent, sheer niceness and wonderful senses of humor. Having you request that I be your commencement speaker implied that some of the affection and esteem I hold for you was reciprocated and I can’t tell you how good that makes me feel. This is indeed a great honor.

However, I must admit, that that was not my initial reaction, that would be better described as sheer terror. When a representative of your class came to ask me to be your graduation speaker, the fact that I was shaking before he finished popping the question seemed to bode ill for my performance here today. Now this probably surprises many of you who have had me for a teacher. I think it is safe to say that in most of my classes, the teacher rather than a student has been the class clown. The exception of course was when Andy Stone was in the class and then I stepped aside. I know a greater talent when I see it. But the prospect of speaking in front of thousands certainly seemed to be sending me into a meltdown. And so I sought reassurance and words of encouragement from a number of people whom I respect. I began with Mrs. Roberts of the English Department since she had given the commencement address last year. “Maura,” I asked, “what was it like being the graduation speaker?” Well, a glazed and panicked look came over the face of the usually poised and unflappable Mrs. Roberts. “It was sheer hell” she replied. “I thought I would have a nervous breakdown”. These were really not the words I was looking for to allay my fears. As I turned away from her, it dawned on her why I had been asking and she tried to backpedal and say something to the effect of what a beautiful experience it had been, but by this point I had stumbled out of hearing range, which for those of you who have had me in class, know was probably a mere six inches away. I returned to the Social Studies Department and Dr. Furey was there. Perhaps my esteemed department chair could help to ease my plight. “Bob, what is Concord Carlisle graduation like?” I asked, since I suspect in past years I was notching up triple bogies on the golf course at this most important moment. “ It’s always as hot as hell. Inevitably someone faints….usually the speaker because he is so nervous” Dr. Furey replied with an evil grin.

I then found myself running down the H wing corridor like Snow White through the forest and I bumped into Mr. Cleary. Like no one else he has been my mentor and staunchest supporter since I joined the faculty nine years ago. Mr. Cleary said just the right words “You’ll do fine. This is the greatest honor a teacher can receive and a sign of the affection the kids have for you”. I felt a sense of pride begin to build in my heart, but then Mr. Cleary added on “Besides no one will even be listening to you and they certainly won’t remember a word you say”. Wow I felt special.

In a final attempt to seek reassurance I told my husband that evening that I had been chosen as the commencement speaker. “This is an especially great honor, I told him, because they usually select someone much older, someone who is a real institution in the school”. His response and I swear this is true, was “ You know, you’re not THAT young anymore.” And so, I stand before you, shaking with nerves, apparently doomed to become unconscious within the next ten minutes, unbeknownst to me, I am over the hill and none of you is even listening to a word I say. And so again I say thank you for this wonderful opportunity.

What words of wisdom do I have to offer to you as you leave us and start the rest of your lives. This class means so much to me that I have great hopes and dreams for you, just as I know your wonderful parents do as well. I have come up with four pieces of advice for you as you head out to knock the world dead.

1. Develop and pursue a passion for something. It doesn’t even matter what. It may be music or art or being the best parent you can be or being a tremendous coach. It may be law or some kind of charitable work that will make the world a better place. Life is not fully lived unless you feel a passion for something you do. And while you are at it, pick someone as an inspiration, as an idol if you will. Identify someone you want to emulate and whose standard you want to match. Some of you may have already found that person in a parent or a teacher or a coach. If you have, never forget their example and try to live by it. My seventh grade US History teacher Mr.Braddish electrified the room with his energy and his infectious love for his subject matter. He held us enthralled as he banged the desk and banged the black board and fired our imaginations. On my very best days of teaching, I feel that Mr. Braddish might be proud of me. My secret hope is that some of you in this class, a class that is so remarkably intelligent and charismatic will go on to be teachers some day.
2.In pursuing your passion, be dedicated, but never take yourself or life too seriously. Occasionally in life one meets people who never seem to laugh or even to possess a sense of humor. I scoff at that. What on earth is the point of it all if you don’t have a good time and find humor wherever and whenever you can. So I say to the class of 2002 keep those amazing senses of humor. They are a tremendous asset in life in both good times and bad. If a few of you don’t currently possess a sense of humor, go out and get one before the day is out.

Third, I don’t want you to ever become snooty snobs. I suppose it is possible that for some of you whom I don’t know, this warning comes too late. But for the rest of you, I am dead serious about this. You are a tremendously smart and talented group. It stands to reason that there is a high likelihood that many of you will be terrifically successful in your careers and probably be quite well off. But I say again do NOT become a snooty snob.

When someone waits on your table, or puts gas in your car, or comes to paint your house, always take the time and energy to look them in the eye and smile, make conversation and treat them as an equal. Because they are your equal. You don’t want to ever feel entitled to being waited on. In this school, there were people who were less visible who did you great service. They organized your college admission packets, they mowed and marked the fields on which you achieved your athletic glory, they served you your four helpings of french fries each and every day and they without complaint swept up the thousands of those same french fries which you dropped on the cafeteria floor. Did you notice these people? Did you smile at them and make conversation with them? Did you thank them? Remember, don’t be a snooty snob.

And lastly, number four. Don’t ever forget where you came from. Other than the person with whom you fall in love some day and the children whom you may have, the most formative people of your entire life sit in this room with you today. Occasionally one hears someone say that high school is the worst time in life. Not if you went to this school. You were taught by a tremendously talented and dedicated faculty. You have made the strongest and most lasting friendships of your life with the people who sit next to you today just as many of them sat next to you 13 years ago at Willard or Alcott or Thoreau …or whatever that school in Carlisle is called. Most importantly you have been raised by the parents and grandparents who sit here today, their hearts swelling with pride and a bit constricted with a touch of heartbreak that soon you will not be with them every day. But never forget or take for granted that they love you like no one else in the world. Remember this even if they should gleefully turn your bedroom into a study, a rec room or God forbid, a walk-in-closet before you have even attended your first college lecture. Someday your own child will be placed in your arms for the first time, and you’ll realize what all parents know is the greatest gift in the world.

So cut your parents a little slack today if they grow teary eyed. It probably seems like only yesterday that they put you on that kindergarten bus with great trepidation. If they were like me,I’m sure they were convinced that after one trip on the bus, the mysteries of Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy and human procreation would all be laid out for you by some cyncial little fifth grader. Imagine the relief when you came home that first day as pure and innocent as ever.

But now we are sending you off for more than just a day. We are sending you off to be adults and I know you will be great ones. I wanted to end my speech by doing something you are used to me doing in class, but since we have an audience, many things were obviously ruled out. I considered one more quick jeopardy game for old time’s sake. I could offer extra credit to the winners. But I feared that all hell would break loose and a rumble might break out if the score became disputed. And so I have settled for one of my clever little poems.

Here we are at the commencement of 2002,
Your parents and teachers and all who love you,
But most important, here are all of your friends,
They were there in first grade and they’re here at the end.

You’ve graced C-C’s halls for four wonderful years,
You’ve won many games to the sound of great cheers,
You’ve played in gold medal caliber bands,
If you took Davies’ tests, then you’ve damaged your hands.

You’ve gazed at a prom date as if you were starstruck,
You’ve signed into studies and then headed to Starbucks,
You’ve gone to the library and bugged Mrs. Harris,
And worn “interesting” clothes which your teachers found garrish.

We’ve tried to inspire you to be thirsty for knowledge,
Yet some of you cared only about acceptance to college,
It seems like yesterday your freshman faces were a light
Showing me the leaves you found for Mr. Flight.

We’ve tried to teach you character and virtue,
The endless homework was to help and not hurt you,
The school tried to teach you the right way to dance,
But you tend to regress when given a chance.

We know you are headed towards wonderful lives,
In a few short months, the 06 class arrives,
I’m sure they’ll be a clever and smart little crew,
But I’ll still miss MY kids, the class of 02!