Graduation Address (Abridged version)

Distinguished guests,
Dear parents,
Members of the graduating class,
Ladies and gentlemen,

At the outset, I wish to express my thanks for the invitation extended to me to be part of this important and auspicious occasion. It gives me great pride and pleasure to address you, the graduating class, at this commencement exercise. I wish to extend to you my heartfelt congratulations. This graduation represents the culmination of your years of dedication and efforts, as well as a period of personal trials and triumphs. The years you have spent in this institution have provided you with rich experiences and valuable opportunities that have helped you as you grew in maturity.

In particular, this school has provided you with the opportunity to experience the creation of unity out of diversity. Each one of you has been exposed to a wide range of cultural experiences through your interaction with fellow students as well as the staff. It has provided an educational environment in which there has been care, understanding and discipline. The influence of this experience will be with you as you advance in years and face the many challenges before you.

Indeed, challenges confront us all and we are presented with opportunities . . .

Dear graduates,

In a parallel way, I feel that you, the graduating class, should also continue to prepare yourselves to meet the challenges and opportunities that will be before you. As you do so, you need to bear in mind that you will be facing a world full of contrast and change, as has been the case in the last century of the second millennium.

In connection with this century, one writer has commented that: "In one respect it has been a shameful period in the history of the world. It has been the worst of all centuries, with more of war, more of man’s inhumanity to man, more of conflict and trouble than any other century in the history of the world. It has been the bloodiest of all seasons. It has been a time of destruction and misery and pain to millions upon millions….

...But in a larger sense this has been the best of all centuries. In the long history of the earth there has been nothing like it. The life expectancy of man has been extended by more than 25 years. Think of it. It is a miracle. The fruits of science have been manifest everywhere. By and large, we live longer, we live better. This is an age of greater understanding and knowledge. We live in a world of great diversity. As we learn more of one another, our appreciation grows. This has been an age of enlightenment. The miracles of modern medicine, of travel, of communication are almost beyond belief. All of this has opened new opportunities for us which we must grasp and use…."

And you, the youth of today, stand as inheritors of the legacy that is being passed on. To more fully prepare yourselves, seek excellence — aim high and hit the mark. Believe in yourselves, in your capacity to do things that are good, worthwhile and outstanding. It is important for you to remember that each one of you has a unique and personal contribution to render. As it has been said:

Dear members of the graduating class,

As you prepare for the further stages of life, I suggest that you continue your progress by continuing to know yourself better. Seek your own identity, know who you are, where you come from, why you are here and where you are going. I suggest that each of you, young men and young women, ask yourself: "Do I know where I want to go, what I want to be, what I want to do?"

Moreover, you have had the privilege of a good education and other wonderful opportunities. It has been said that to whom much has been given, much is expected. What can you expect to be expected of you? Among others, I would say that gratitude, appreciation and love should be in your hearts — for your parents and family who nurtured, cared and supported you, as well as the teachers and staff who have guided and educated you. It is rather easy to take parents for granted and not realize just how much they mean to you and you to them. Recognition of parents may arise in some odd way, sometimes. An illustration of this occurred in a secondary school. After a class had studied magnets, one of the test questions was "What begins with the letter "M" and picks things up?" More than a third of the students answered "Mother".

To your teachers and the staff here at this school, I also pay homage by citing the words of Daniel Webster:

I also wish to remind the graduating class that graduation is not really only an end, but also a new beginning. It is therefore appropriate that a graduation ceremony is also called a commencement exercise. You begin to take a new place, for instance, as you pursue further studies in an institution of higher learning. In the university, your critical thinking will be further sharpened, your horizon will be broadened and you will be better equipped to contribute your share. And I hope that you will use the opportunities available to you to also serve and be counted upon. In the words of Etienne de Grellet:

Also, each one of you should continue to believe in yourself and be proactive. You have a choice. You are and you become the person you wish to be, according to how you choose to create an image of yourself in your mind. As a poet has written:

Furthermore, I urged you to be resolute and determined in your undertakings, remembering that "there is no chance, no destiny, no faith, which can circumvent or hinder or control, the firm resolve of a determined soul."

In closing, to you dear graduates, I offer the following words:

Congratulations once again and good luck to you all. Thank you.

Rody de Guzman (June 2000)