GRADUATION SPEECH 2001, HCHS JBEARDEN Thanks to Katrina Smith, English Department Head, HCHS Dedicated to Leverett Butts IV, fellow "graduate" -- for making a difference every day --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Good evening. I want to say, first of all, that writing speeches is NOT one of my talents. When I first began trying to write this speech, I asked myself what I wanted to say -- and I had no answer. I knew only one thing: that I wanted to say something important, something that would make a difference to someone here today. That’s funny, in a way. Stop and think for a moment about all the people in your life who have made a difference to you. -- Honestly, how could I possibly compare to those people? Your list probably included your family, teachers, perhaps a doctor or two, possibly your closest friends. It probably did not include some guy standing behind a lectern at a high school graduation. So perhaps the question isn’t what I can say to make a difference to you; perhaps the question is, what can each of us do to make a difference to the world? Many of us who are graduating today know what we would like to do in the future. Some of us will be doctors or psychiatrists, helping people to lead healthier lives. A few will be preachers and ministers, helping lead their congregations to spiritual peace. Many of us will be parents, giving life to children and guiding them as they grow. My own dream -- one that I know several of you share -- is to be not only a parent, but a teacher. It is my hope and prayer that I will be able to touch my students’ minds and hearts, making a difference for the better. What do you plan for your future? Maybe you will be in law enforcement, or part of the local fire department. This is the kind of person who stops tragedies from happening, being a true hero by making a difference each and every day. But remember that you can do more than just prevent bad things . . . you always have the option of going the extra mile and making something good happen. How can you do this? It’s easy. Show someone how to dream. Inspire them to dream of great things, great dreams that will change the world as much as they will change the dreamer. And set an example. Dream these dreams and achieve these goals yourself. The steps you take in your life will form a path. Make it one worth following. This goes for each of us, regardless of the careers we choose. Our class CAN make a difference and leave its mark on the world. We can, and we should, create as many good works for our fellow men and women as possible. Our lives have barely gotten underway, and we have so much to accomplish, so much to look forward to. "Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end." High school was only the beginning for us. Now, as high school finally ends, go and make your own beginning. Begin to change the world. Begin to make a difference. We have that power, for we are the class of the 21st Century. We are the Class of 2001. May God be with us.