In a few short weeks we are to graduate. Although we have looked forward to this moment of parting, shall I say, with relief, underneath it all we sense a feeling of sadness. A sadness that comes when we think of leaving school which not only gave us the opportunity to gain knowledge but also gave us countless good times and many close friendships. We shall miss the friendly old walls of K.H.S. – we shall miss the squeaky desks – yes, we shall even miss the aroma of rotten egg gas from Mr. Potter’s lab.
Now our thoughts are directed to the future, this past is behind us, but not forgotten, the present flies by quickly and the future, yes, the future presents a permanent challenge to us. We the Members of the 1946 Graduating Class have been given too much to feel that nothing more is required of us – each of us has had the privilege of a home, of friends and of education. At this point we stop to think that it is now our duty, our responsibility to harvest all these benefits and share with others what we have thus far gained. We cannot stop, we must not shut the door, now, we have to go on learning and assimilating not only what education offers us, but also, what life and people have to offer us. It is our responsibility to see that we make this place a better place in which to live.
We have taken so much from our parents and teachers. They have spent their money and time educating us. Haven’t they the right to expect us to return, not in money but in accomplishments all that was invested in us and some interest besides? Our lives should be made to count for the most, therefore, we must make our future what we really want it to be. We must prepare ourselves for whatever profession we choose in life. We should set for ourselves a goal that we should strive to attain. Not merely one of gaining wealth or winning popularity but one much higher – a goal such as unselfish service to our fellow men. To this end we shall seek to obtain a wealth of knowledge that in future years we shall repay not only our parents and teachers what we owe them but also give something of value to the world.
Possibly, only a few members of this graduating class may make of themselves what the world terms a “success”, a success in the manner of amassing a wealth of money. But to be a success in our own eyes – we must have the knowledge that we have done the best that we know how and the joy of knowing that we have unselfishly served those about us.
At this point in my address, it seems only fitting that we, the Graduating Class should thank you, our teachers, who have done so very much for us. For the countless hours that you have spent giving us the knowledge that you yourselves have gained through years of hard work – and at the end of it all you have given us friendly encouragement. I wish that I had the eloquence to express our gratitude to you but the most that we can say is “Thank You.”
In closing, I wish to leave with you, these thoughts. For the past six years, the countries of the world have been engaged in a bitter and costly war. Costly in the sense that many young men and women gave up their school books for rifles, gave up their future as engineers and nurses to help preserve the democratic ideal. Let us not forget that to them we owe a deeper debt of gratitude. They gave their lives in order that you and I might be able to pursue our aims. Let us not fail them. They died winning the war, let us live making the peace.
