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Graduation speech 2010 – Written December 2009 Doc – I want you to read this to the graduating class if Iam not able to be there. Read it loudand with pride. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Hello my students, teachers, staff, parents and manyfriends. Well, if Mr. Murphyis reading this, then I guess I have headed off to that classroom in the sky –which is a good thing. Sometimes wedon’t understand why things happen, but we have to trust that the Good Lordknows what he is doing and everything happens for a reason. I am writing this in December because I am not sure whatlies ahead for me in the next several months and I am not sure that I will bearound for Graduation so I will seal this up and give it to my best friend Mr.Murphy and he will simply have to read it. Don’t blame him if he gets a little teary at times, he is just a bigbaby at times – just understand that he is doing this for me in my absence. There are so many things I would like to tell you. So many lessons in life that I would like toteach you, but you have made it throughyour 13 years of school now an it is time for you to spread your wings and flyoff to your future. I hope you realizethat you have been given the opportunity to receive a great education here inConway Springs and you should be ready for anything that life can throw yourway. Just remember, you are a Cardinaland no matter what happens, you can push your way through it. I want to tell you a true, real life story that should proveto you that you can be anything you want to be and reach any goal you want toreach as long as you work hard enough, pay attention and allow yourself to loveothers and trust – no matter how much it may hurt in the end. 15 years ago – Mr. Murphy and I took administrative jobshere in Conway Springs. Mr. Murphy wasthe HS principal and I was his assistant. I have to tell this story because you guys were all around 3 years oldand that is ancient history to you – I am sure this is where Mr. Murphy willtell you that I have always been 2 months older than him – he is right, but Mr.Rosenhagen is older than both of us! Anyway – we took the job here in CS and things were not goodat the time. Conway Springs was notlooked upon as a top school in the league. In fact, our reputation was terrible. Mr. Murphy and I sat down in a dingy office in the old HS and came upwith a plan to get Conway Springs going. We came up with some goals together and sat around and talked about howrealistic or unrealistic they might be. At the time, our athletics were okay, but nothing special. Our band program had sank to new lows andcommunity pride and support was not what you see today. We set out on a venture that would take usmany, many miles and would sometimes prove to be very difficult. The first two years were the toughest as we tried to makechanges and not everyone was in support of those changes. We had many late nights and many discussionsand even arguments about how to do things, but we always stood shoulder toshoulder to see things through. Nomatter what happened, we kept those goals in site and kept pushing and workingharder and harder each day. Suddenly, westarted to see a change in our students and community and suddenly the wholething just took off. Our test scorescontinued to shoot higher and higher and our athletics and music programs beganto flourish. Conway Springs suddenly becamea respected school not only in our league, but at the state level too. We not only met our goals that we originallyset forth in that old office, but we surpassed them by a long shot. Understand this – as you sit here today, you need to lookaround this gymnasium. Look at thepeople who have supported you for many years. Your parents, friends, family, teachers, administrators – they have allhad a hand in helping you reach this day. Take time to thank each of them. Remember this, you will all go your own way after today, but you willalways have this great support system right here in Conway Springs. By the way – we do expect updates on yoursuccesses. The story I just told you about includes all thesepeople. Mr. Murphy and I sat out toinstill discipline in the schools and to hire great people to work here. We have good kids here because of disciplineand we have worked with many great teachers over the years who have helped makeall of you better people. We also workedalong with parents and community members who were willing to work very hard toimprove Conway Springs for all students. You have to realize that you could make a million dollars a year at ajob, but without friends and good people – money doesn’t mean much. Throughout my fight with cancer I have realized more andmore each and everyday what life is truly about. It is not about driving a fast car. It is not about making a million dollars ayear. It is not about stealing, cheatingor lying because in the end, you cannot take money or possessions withyou. In the end, all you leave behind isyour footprint on what you have done with your life. So – to end this long speech – I am sure Mr. Murphy isgetting winded anyway. I want you toremember these things – there will be a quiz after the ceremony so you bettertake notes – ha!!! 1 – set goals. 2 – work your tail off to not only reach those goals but exceedthem. 2nd place is not anoption. 3 – Believe in yourself – others will doubt you at times andwill even tell you that you are wrong – stand your ground and do what isright. As long as you do the right thingin life – everything will work out in the end. 4 – Don’t be afraid to love– I have had the pleasure ofbeing married to a great woman and I have three super kids. Love can be scary because sometimes you canget burned, but the hurt that love can cause is well worth the pain becausewhen you truly love someone – it is the greatest feeling in the world. 5 – trust and friendship – I hope each one of you can have afriendship with someone that you can trust each and every day. Someone who will be there for you no matterwhat the situation is and no matter what time it is. Someone who would give up anything just tohelp you out. Also, find a way to bethat kind of friend – you will always have many buddies who are fun to bearound – but you will have very few GOOD FRIENDS. I want you to know that Mr. Murphy has been that friend to me and Iappreciate him more than he will ever know. Go out into this world and make the most of it. Live everyday to the fullest. Don’t just take – you have to give in life toget anything in return. Make CardinalCountry proud! Life is great – I have no idea why mine was cut somewhatshort, but life is great. Have fun,laugh, love, and most of all – work your tail off each and every day. You never know what tomorrow might bring solive today to the fullest!!!!!!!!!!! Ifyou ever need advice from me – come back and see Mr. Murphy - we were cut from the same cloth and he willknow exactly what I would tell you. Congratulations – Good Luck – I will be watching so don’t doanything stupid. I will see you down the road. Board of Education Members – the students seated in front ofme have met all requirements to receive a diploma from Conway Springs HighSchool………… PS: Thanks Doc – youmean the world to me. |
