Oh, The Places You'll Go!
Good afternoon everyone. I'd like to personally welcome you to our commencement exercises. Thank you for coming.
Over the past several weeks, I tried over and over to decide what I should talk about on graduation day. I wanted my speech to be something unique, something people would remember, but I didn't want to make it sad. So, one day I was sitting in class, getting ready to start my regular ritual of writing a "to-do" list, when the idea struck me. I decided to share with my classmates the things that they always need to remember to do in the future, as well as things that we should always remember about the past.
First, always remember your family and what they have done for you. You owe your life to them, literally. Without them you wouldn't even be here.
Always remember God. I know that personally, I never would've made it to today if I didn't have him to pray to.
Always remember to keep good personal hygiene. You're never going to go anywhere in life if you aren't clean and smelling fresh.
Always remember to wear a watch. That way you will always be on time for wherever you go in life.
Always remember to wear your seatbelt. Your chances of surviving an accident are 98% greater if you buckle up.
Always remember to be yourself. Don't try to hide who you really are.
Always remember to stay relaxed. Don't sweat the small stuff, and it's all small stuff.
Always remember to get plenty of sleep. That way you'll always be able to do your best. Just remember Josh Will's motto: If you don't have anything better to do, take a nap.
Always pay attention. If you don't listen and watch, you might miss something important.
Always remember what Mr. Caldwell taught us this year. Take the road less traveled by. Don't just go with the flow. Choose the right path for you. As Robert Frost said in his famous poem: "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I- I took the one less traveled by. And that has made all the difference."
Always remember to watch where you are going. I have been crashing into things and people ever since I took my first step, and trust me, it isn't a pleasant experience.
Always remember the good times. Try to forget the bad. The same goes for people…try to look for the good in them, and ignore the bad. You'll always be happy, if you can do this.
Always remember the things that we've laughed at. Someday you'll laugh about them again.
Always remember to say "please" and "thank you". People will always be a lot nicer if you do.
Always remember to think before you speak. I could've saved a lot of embarrassing moments if I would've just thought about what I was doing before I did something silly.
Always remember to be polite. Don't be rude with people. You will always receive better treatment from others if you are polite to them.
Always remember to stay calm and not get angry too quickly. If you're mad all the time, you'll get high blood pressure and it isn't healthy.
Always remember to enjoy yourself in any situation. Just accept life and try to be happy. You'll save yourself a lot of heartache.
Always remember that family, friends, and loved ones are the most important things in life. Money isn't everything and it can't buy your happiness.
Always remember our senior play and how good it was. Always remember how much fun we've had in school. Always remember the teachers. Always remember your friends. Always remember how Alison tasted everything in chemistry class. Always remember when we dissected stuff in biology. Always remember the homecoming pep rallies and how we always won. Remember how we won the homecoming Olympics this year and the float contest. Always remember Josh Will sleeping in class. Always remember Hilary spending every minute of her day roaming the halls. Always remember typing class with Mrs. Roush. Always remember Mr. Reed talking in weird voices. Always remember how we ALMOST beat the teachers in the homecoming volleyball game. Always remember how we pulled together in the bad times and how we laughed at each other in the good times. Always remember that we are the class of 2000. We are a special class. When we started out in jr. high, there was talk that we were a terrible class. They said that we would never amount to anything. But we proved them wrong.
And finally, always remember me, because I'll always remember you. I have had a lot of fun in high school, and I've got a lot of good memories. I will always look back on high school with a smile.
Before I finish today, I'd like to read you part of a book that I came across last week. It is entitled "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" and yes, it is by Dr. Seuss. But just listen.
Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!
You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.
You'll look up and down streets. Look them over with care.
About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
You're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.
And you may not find any you'll want to go down.
In that case, of course, you'll head straight out of town.
It's opener there in the wide open air.
Out there things can happen and frequently do
To people as brainy and footsy as you.
And when things start to happen, don't worry. Don't stew.
Just go right along. You'll start happening too.
Oh! The places you'll go!
You'll be on your way up! You'll be seeing great sights.
You'll join the high fliers who soar to high heights.
You won't lag behind, because you'll have the speed.
You'll pass the whole gang and you'll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you'll be best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.
Except when you don't, because, sometimes you won't.
I'm sorry to say so but, sadly, it's true
That Bang-ups and hang-ups can happen to you.
You can get all hung up in a prickly perch.
And your gang will fly on. You'll be left in a lurch.
You'll come down from the Lurch with an unpleasant bump.
And the chances are then, that you'll be in a slump.
And when you're in a slump, you're not in for much fun
Un-slumping yourself is not easily done.
You'll get mixed up, of course, as you already know.
You'll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step, step with care and great tact
And remember the life's a great balancing act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with you left.
And will you succeed? Yes, you will indeed!
98 and three fourths percent guaranteed!
Kid, you'll move mountains.
So…
Be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,
You're off to great places! Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting. So get on your way!
I don't care how old you are…you should always read children's books. They are full of wisdom that is worthwhile to people of all ages. And even if you guys forget my name, you'll always remember the crazy girl who read Dr. Seuss at graduation. Thank you.
