Honored Guests, Parents, Teachers, Fellow Students, I am honored to have the privilege of speaking to you here tonight.
Graduation marks an important spot in our lives. At this time, having completed our compulsory education, we are about to enter into the world on our own. We must realize however, that what we know is only a taste of what there is yet to learn, not only from books, but from practical experience. “Three sorts of ability need to be cultivated: ability to do things, adaptability to cope with new things, and reliability to do things well.
We have learned a lot over the years. Elementary school was the beginning of our formal education. Here we were introduced to many of the subjects we would later pursue. Under the constant surveillance of dedicated teachers, we learned the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic. Perhaps more important than these, we learned to centre our concentration on particular things.
Through our studying for small spelling tests and science quizzes we formed an important basis of study habits. Socially, too, we matured. We learned to get along with other children by associating with them in the classroom and on various sports teams. Many lasting friendships were formed during these, our elementary years. Here the frames of our character were molded.
Then came the day when we passed into Junior High School. At the time, I remember, we felt as if this was the greatest moment in our lives. Finally we would be able to follow a timetable and carry a looseleaf like all the older teenagers whom we idolized. In Junior High, we set the pace for the future. With the help of patient counselors, we carefully chose the subjects in which we would specialize. Under the steady encouragement of teachers and parents, we gained greater interest in our school work. We learned that we must do more work on our own to earn the extra marks which would warrant us an “A” on our report cards. Having set examinations in each subject, we found it necessary to form good study habits. We were expected to act like young adults and, in turn, we wanted to be treated like adults. Also in Junior High we found a much greater variety of school activities. We now became interested in dances and sports teams. Here we were introduced to club work. The Annual, the Chess Club, the Library Club, and the Newspaper Club had many interested and enthusiastic members.
Then again, came another great day in our lives. We passed into Senior High School. I remember that we had heard so much of this place where the older students looked down on the new arrivals, that we looked forward to the first day more with fear and apprehension than with enthusiasm. But, of course, after the first week of school, we realized that this was all nonsense and we started to enjoy ourselves. Here in Senior High, we followed a much more specialized programme with a rather indefinite goal ahead, that goal being graduation in four years. We found that we had to study hard in order to maintain a decent average. The teachers, however, helped to make this seem less of a chore. Through their active interest in our work and their particular subject, they kindled the flame of interest in their students, who, in turn, worked hard to gain good marks in the examinations. Much more competition was found in all fields of Senior High. The Honor Roll became a goal to many students and the awards at the end of the school year encouraged some students to strive harder than average. Interhouse activities such as trackmeets and noon-hour games provided competition within the school. Students began to take pride in their house and strive to put it ahead of the others. Local and out-of-town festivals provided competition for the band, the Glee Club and the Drama Club. All of the people who were members of these groups remember well, I’m sure, the immense feeling of pride felt when the leader of the group was being handed the award for first prize. Something like that just cannot be forgotten. The various teams also provided competition within the school: grasshockey and football, tennis and badminton, volleyball and basketball – all provided honor and activity for the students and teachers of the school. Socially, too, we found that there was much more going on than in previous years: school dances, team games, tournaments, talent shows, slave auctions, donut sales, Band Concerts, Glee Club performances, and Drama club plays. Many of us found that we had to regulate the time given to these social activities so that academic subjects didn’t suffer. Unfortunately, some students found this out too late in the school year, and consequently, didn’t attain the standards of which they were capable.
I feel that this is an appropriate time to thank our main sources of help and encouragement. First are the teachers, all of whom spent hours of hard work in preparation of lessons in order to make them challenging and interesting to their students. Besides this, many of them spent extra hours in preparing special lessons and tutoring those of use who would have been unable to pass without this extra help.
Just as important but perhaps not quite as obvious: Our parents. They provided constant encouragement to us when we were discouraged. Through gentle urging, we were persuaded to continue until now - - graduation.
Now we look forward t the future. Some of us will go on to universities for further education; other to vocational schools and technical institutions; and still others will begin jobs at once in various communities throughout the country.
Whatever the future holds for us, let us take pride in the work we do. Learn to accept situations without complaint or self-pity. Strive to do the best job possible and remember that loyalty to employer or colleague is a part of our job. Never let us sink into a state of lethargy. We must never be content with ourselves but work continually for self-improvement. As Thomas J. Watson, creator of International Business Machines Corporation said, “The minute we say to ourselves that we have succeeded, we have confessed failure.”
Some of us here tonight will enter vocational school to acquire skills or crafts. It is important to learn not only what is necessary but all that is possible. Don’t be content with just what you are taught, take advantage of all possibilities to learn more. As long as different methods are being developed, there are new things to be learned. Remember “machines do not destroy the need for skill, but change the character of the skill required.” In the world today, “men of ability backed by knowledge” are in demand.
Others of us will enter universities throughout the country. Here, for the first time in our lives we will be on our own. Our success will depend entirely on ourselves. However, even if we are on our own and doing more or less what we please, we must remember that people have invested in us not only money but also trust. As Benjamin Disraeli once said, “A university should be a place of light, of liberty, and of learning.” We are attending these institutions of higher learning for the purpose of work and study. Although social activities are important, we owe it to our parents and sponsors to work our hardest. Remember, Technical Schools, Universities or Colleges actually provide trial periods which will test how much of our earlier teaching and guidance we have absorbed. It is up to us to settle down to work without someone forcing us or overseeing us.
We here tonight are the adults of tomorrow. We will be responsible for our country’s welfare. In the state of unrest in the world, we must do our best to make our country a better place in which to live. By learning to live in peace with one another, we may encourage our countries to follow us. It is our responsibility to remain aware of current events. With the vast opportunities open for travel, it is the responsibility of each of us to take advantage of this method of learning more of people in our own country as well as other countries. We must be sensible, responsible adults, helping to create a society in which we will be proud to raise our children.
