August 3rd will be my two month-a-versary of Graduating High School. I cannot believe it has been two months already,I guess the excitment of summer speeds up the passing of the time.
It is a cool evening in Huntington Beach, and the cool, beach-y breeze induced my thought process to graduation {obviously}. So I thought that you may want to read my speech that I delivered, but some background info on my graduation day.
It was a June gloom morning,not very pretty outside, but nothing was going to damper my mood- I was graduating! I got ready, made sure my graduation garb,cord and speech were next to the door a billion times. After the seemingly 3 three hour drive ( which was only 45 minutes), I arrived slighty flustered but in a fantastic mood. My heart was beating so fast and the suddenly it hit me- I was really leaving high school, and not just in my dreams, but for real, and I was actually going to speak, it wasn't just a acceptance letter,but for real!
Anyways, I somehow ended up being the first person to walk inside the auditorium, so all eyes were on me, if I messed up, everyone would mess up- no pressure. But all went perfectly and as " Pomp and Circumstance" began I felt my heart,cheeks,and eyes swell. I wish I had a camera to capture my face that moment, because I had no doubt that I was glowing. The class of 2010 entered with ... well.. pomp and circumstance, and we pledge our alligieance to our flag, enjoyed some dancing, singing, and some outstanding violin playing accompanied by the piano {the peices played drew everyone to tears, needless to say, Macie got a standing ovation}.And finally, as the last speaker, my name was called.
Breathe,Autumn, Breathe.
And thus is my speech.
Friends, Family and Honored Guests. I want to thank and welcome you on the behalf of the entire PCHS class of 2010 for attending our graduation. You have shown tremendous support and acknowledgement in this milestone of our education. Each and every one of you has made a significant impact in our lives; and we would not stand here as the same individuals if you had not empowered and encouraged us to become the proud graduates that are before you today.
This year in English 12, we were given an assignment. This particular assignment was about Success, we had to explain how we measured and defined success. Personally, success is not what we have earned, but what we have done for others. There are those who define success as a wealth or popularity contest .A person that comes to mind is Michael Jackson. Whether you can sing to all of his music or your cringe at the very mention of his name; he left his mark on the music industry, was a multi-millionaire and will forever be known as the King of Pop, but I ask you this, how would you define success? According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary success is defined as “the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence.” Your wealth may be enjoyed by loved ones and bequeathed to your family after you have pass on, however; your legacy forever remains with you.
I then realized that I did not like the word success and I did not want to apply it to my life, (Mom and Dad, don’t panic, it gets better) however; another word came to mind. Impact; impact is to “Influence; and to affect strongly” And the first person that comes to mind when I think of this word is Corrie Ten Boom. Ms. Ten Boom is not nearly as famous as Michael Jackson; however, I believe that the mark she left on the world is greater. Corrie Ten Boom’s family harbored Jews during World War II, when they were discovered; the entire Ten Boom family was separated and was sent to various concentration camps. She and her sister, Betsie were sent to Ravensbruck concentration camp in Nazi Germany and endured the unimaginable. A mere few days before their release, her sister died from anemia. Yet, even after being separated from her family, enduring a horrific year at a Nazi concentration camp, and the death of her sister, Ms. Ten Boom remained hopeful and survived. After the war, Corrie Ten Boom shared her story with millions and even returned to Germany; this story sparked faith and encouraged hope to the world. Corrie Ten Boom was not a pop star, she did not choreograph dance moves that will be danced at high school proms and at weddings till the end of the millennia, however she did leave an impact and a legacy that has been passed on and will continue to be passed on for generations to come.
In Comparative Literature, we learned about the Power of One and how our decisions, can change the world. We could all use some Corrie Ten Boom within ourselves, the part of ourselves that pushes us to make the right decision, no matter how insignificant. Decisions we make each day have the power to change our life and the millions of lives that surround us.
Fellow classmates, as we walk across this stage, receive our diplomas and leave our high school forever, I want to encourage you that before you aspire to be the next CEO of a fortune five hundred company, or a musician with a double platinum album, that you also aspire to make an impact on our world, and to leave a legacy of hope and perseverance.
Congratulations PCHS Senior Class of 2010. We did it!!
I hope you enjoyed reading this, I apologize for the length, but I felt the need to share it.
Oh, I PROMISE to post the Red Velvet cake recipie tommorrow,I pinky-promise
Love,
Autie
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