Good morning Franklin Academy students, staff, families and graduating seniors. I am honored to present the faculty graduation speech to the class of 2011.
Winston Churchill said, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” Churchill lived by these words and persevered through many difficulties. As a child, he had a major stuttering problem that took years of practice to conquer. At school, he generally did poorly in his classes. As First Lord of the Admiralty, he took much of the blame for losing a major battle against the Turks during World War I. He was defeated in the 1922 General Election. He was severely criticized early in World War II and almost lost a vote of no confidence. And finally, he lost the election of 1945.
But people rarely mention these failures when discussing who Churchill was, and what he represented during the twentieth century. He is more known today for inspiring the British people during World War II, leading his country during its finest hour, and for his skills as being one of the finest orators the English-speaking world has ever known. He was re-elected Prime Minister in 1951 and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1953. Certainly Churchill’s courage to continue is what allowed him to leave the legacy we know today.
Over these past years we have seen you all face difficulties and persevere through them. You have grown into young adulthood and stand ready to embark upon your future. I ask you today to look back on what you have accomplished in your time here.
When I look back upon your time at Franklin, I remember many discussions regarding struggles and the painful growth required to move beyond them. I remember private conversations about recognizing your strengths and developing strategies to support yourselves when needed. I remember watching friendships form and deepen. I remember the expressions on your faces when connections about actions and outcomes were made. I remember celebrating your accomplishments with you. I remember all the laughter we shared and all the pride I felt as I watched you develop into the people sitting before me today.
And now, as you prepare to graduate and leave the comforts of this community, you are ready to move on to new endeavors. Soon, you will face a new set of challenges and difficulties that will require the perseverance Churchill spoke so highly of. Churchill also said: “A pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty”
In the future when you encounter struggles, as you surely will, think of the challenges you have faced and overcome here at Franklin. These are not small achievements. You have conquered writing phobias and proved wrong those who underestimated your abilities in the past. You have learned to manage your own anxiety, work around your weaknesses, and play to your strengths.
You have learned that there is much to gain in taking risks, and in trusting others. You have learned to know who you are, what you need to be successful, and to stand up for what you believe in.
This is a day to celebrate these accomplishments. Remember this day and the pride you feel right now. Your journey is just beginning. You won’t always know where it will take you, but if you believe in yourselves you will end up where you belong. When you stumble, take a breath, stand up, brush yourself off, and remind yourself that it is just one more step along the way. Live your life as you desire it to be, rely on your passion to inspire you, and be secure in the knowledge that you deserve all of the wonderful things life has to offer.
In closing, I would like to take a moment to thank you for what you have given me. Because of you I have become a better teacher, listener and person. You have shown me humor in the least likely of places, taught me to speak VERY directly and showed me what people are capable of doing even after they have been told it is impossible. Enjoy your lives, savor your friendships, and share your unique perspectives. Some people won’t understand, but those who do will be awed by the individuals that you are and feel as blessed to have you in their lives as I do. Thank you
