Brendan Jonathan-Lusack

"Good morning.  Usually, graduation speakers are supposed to speak to you about historical figures, or I'm supposed to use a metaphor to create a link between my class and the world.  However, what I'm supposed to do and what I'm going to do are two very different things.  I feel that my speech should reflect my school:  Franklin Academy.  Franklin is by no stretch of the imagination a cookie-cutter school.  They do not hire run-of-the-mill teachers; they do not accept average children.  Thanks to these principals, Franklin has truly mastered the recognition and celebration of individuality.  So many times, students with a learning difference have been turned away from school after school, simply because of the way they learn.

That is why it brings me such great joy to know that a place like Franklin Academy exists.  Franklin acknowledges these differences and encourages all of its students to embrace them.  Franklin opened its arms and proclaimed that it is OK to be different.  The school encourages us to think outside the box-always.  In a time when we have longer days and shorter tempers, I take solace in the fact that there are still people like the founders of Franklin Academy out there who are working to celebrate the unique and cherish the different.  As we continue to move into the future, we must never forget that it is our differences that make us worthwhile.  During my time here, I have learned to stand proud and smile as I inform the world of my difference.

However, this speech is not about me, it is about the class of 2007.  This class is comprised of the most tenacious, accepting, world shaping, and wonderful young men and women I have ever had the distinct honor and pleasure to meet and know.  Some of my classmates graduating today have been here since day one of Franklin.  Others joined us just this year; however, the connections remain unwavering regardless.  We have come so far, in such a short time, it almost seems unreal.

There were times when I feared our separation, times when I was sure that the class would crumble.  But we remained.  We lost a few, and the losses were difficult.  But we remained.  And that is perhaps the most important testament to our character.  We will continue to move.  Move wherever we choose.  Because, after all, graduation is a celebration of movement.  I'm sure that we have all faced adversity: those teachers who told us we would never do it, the principals and superintendents that gave up on us.  But here we are.  Through all odds, through the fog of self-doubt and the deep struggle, here we are.  What does that say?

It says that we have the strength, the fortitude, the wisdom to continue.  However, as we continue, we must never forget Franklin. We must remember not just the students, or the faculty; we must remember the countless things we have learned about our characters, our souls.  We must remember what it means to belong.  Most importantly, we must remember what it means to change.

Nearly mirroring the class of 2007, Franklin has changed greatly.  It is moving out of toddlerhood into adolescence, and what a bright adolescence it will be.  But just as my class did, Franklin will keep growing and changing.  Similar to the class of 2007, Franklin will keep moving.  This very type of movement is what we are celebrating today.  We are celebrating our graduation; however, there seems to be a common belief that graduation is an end.  Graduation is not an ending; it is the beginning of another step.  That step will take my classmates and me in different directions, but we will not lose the knowledge we've gained from this place.

I would like to take this time to say some very brief thanks.  I apologize if I do not mention you by name, but know that if I thanked everyone deserving of it, this speech would be roughly 12 hours long. Fred, thank you for taking us all under your wing.  Your hospitality and immense kindness will not be forgotten.  Tom, thank you for demonstrating immeasurable selflessness whenever a student was involved.  Ken, thank you for being a strong character in a time when such qualities are not easily found.  Dave, thank you for being both a friend and mentor.  Stuart, thank you for your intelligence and wisdom-the best of luck to you.  Jigna, thank you for showing all of us what it means to be kind and just.  Byron, thank you for being an excellent role model; you inspire hope for the future in us all. Rebecca, thank you for being there whenever anyone needed you; you truly are a model human being.

My thanks to my mother who taught me everything I know and who is the strongest person I have ever met.  My thanks to the students for reminding me what it means to be proud and what an incredible amount of strength that it takes to face adversity.  My thanks to the faculty for their undying dedication and saint-like kindness.  My thanks to all of the family and friends here today-it's because of you that we are as strong as we are.  I plead with you: celebrate your child's difference; it truly is a gift.  And finally, my thanks to the entire class of 2007 for showing me what friendship, individuality, and love is all about.  Now, if you'll excuse us, we're off to change the world.  Thank you, and God bless you all. "