Thank You...Your Adventure Continues...

Just as you have so graciously shared your personal thank yous these last few minutes--and, I must confess---it’s awfully tough to have to speak after that emotional display---I would like to express my gratitude to you.

As the noted writer, Thornton Wilder claims,

 

Well, today is one of those moments, and I certainly am conscious of what the Class of 2018 means to me.

You have established yourselves, as leaders in the Classroom, and you have set the bar high, for all to follow.

You have used your time well here, contributing well beyond that Classroom.

Your Positive Spirit and your Genuine Commitment to the Ideals of our School are of the highest order, and our entire Community owes you a great debt of thanks for leading us so capably this school year.

I say “thank you” for setting the tone this year and being such positive leaders and influences for our School. You have been good mentors, role models, and Spirit Guides for our younger students.

You have led the way in terms of establishing our Falcon Flock, and your efforts to raise the overall level of spirit on campus these past couple of years have not gone unnoticed.

You have led our Chapel efforts, helping to continue our Student Vestry tradition, and exhibiting sincere support in our quest to be an environment infused with love, and committed to inclusivity.

You have “jumped in” and spoken out respectfully and powerfully, most recently in your quest to support the National Gun Violence Debate and Movement.

You have helped lead our artistic efforts, both on stage and in the Visual Arts, sharing your musical, performance and creative talents for all the world to enjoy, and you have done so enthusiastically and generously, mentoring our younger thespians and artists so capably.

You can also lay claim to being part of our School’s first ever athletic State Championship Team, and you have competed at the highest level, with the most-noble ideals, and with true sportsmanship as the goal.

A member of your Class has also served as our first “official” Student Alumni Board member, fostering greater connections to our extended Community.

And, perhaps, most importantly, you have accrued more than 20,000 hours of volunteer service as a Class, helping our greater Community, by living our Mission so well and so visibly.

In short, you have worked hard to serve as a Palmer Trinity Student, and all that such a privilege and responsibility require----a healthy focus and commitment to seeking excellence and the highest of virtues while maintaining the right balance of Mind, Body, and Spirit.

And so, again, I say “thank you”, for responding to my call back in August to “lead the way” this year, and to remember what your Legacy would be.

 

If you’ll indulge me for a few minutes,  I’d like to take you back nearly a year ago--- to be exact, to August  16, 2017---our Opening Chapel.

If you recall--and I’d be really impressed with you if you do remember this--- I shared with you an Opening Day Speech, entitled, “Your Adventure Awaits”.  In those brief minutes, I encouraged you to “soak in” the coming school year, remembering the important lesson that it’s really NOT about the destination, but the journey---and to be grateful for the “ups and downs”, the challenges, and the joys along the way.

I provided you a few “tips for traveling”, including the importance of planning---setting your sights beyond, while reminding you of the rewards that you will reap for putting in that planning time and for having the right “road map”.

But also, if you recall, I  warned you, that regardless of what you might expect, every adventure has a “twist and turn”, and your ability to adapt would be critical for your success.

Well, In this “spirit of adventure”, I am proud to say that, believe it or not, now 9 months later from those remarks, and more importantly, after approximately 13 years of “schooling”, this “first leg” of your journey is nearly complete.

Rest assured, today represents a significant milestone--a celebration richly deserved---A rest stop, if you will, in which you can and will truly enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Today, you can look back over these years, and these dramatic 9 months, feeling quite proud and probably a bit fatigued.

Today, you can and should revive yourself--relax a bit, rest up, and fortify yourself...For, as you already well know:

 

Just where this Adventure takes you, well, it’s anyone’s guess...Granted, you have a good, preconceived notion already...College life is waiting, and for most of you, that life will reside in the United States...Some of you even know what you will study and major in, and even a few of you have already shared with me, in our conversations, of just what you hope to do professionally, after school.

 

But, tell me, who can truly predict exactly what the future holds?

Our best-laid plans are, well, just that----Plans.

As you go forward today, let me offer 3 more simple tips for your travels---3 thoughts to stow away with your essentials.

First,

 

As legendary filmmaker, George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars and Indiana Jones, recounts,

Be persistent...Follow your passion, and go for it!

Remember, too, that as your Adventure Continues, and unfolds, there will be challenges unforeseen. Take that positive attitude of yours, and remind yourself that, as you well know by now, life isn’t always fair. Things won’t always go your way. Your attitude, and your work ethic, however, are completely up to you.

In their published work, 212: The Extra Degree, authors Sam Parker and Mac Anderson expound upon the simple concept of giving that extra effort or “push”, denoting the difference between achieving greatness and simply finishing the task. Using the example of the difference between boiling water and hot water--literally, one degree, the authors note:

Giving the extra effort is critical to success, and both Parker and Anderson provide some compelling examples regarding recent results from the Daytona 500 and Indianapolis 500 auto races. Most notably, in the last 10 years of each race combined, the winner took the checkered flag by an average margin of only 1.54 seconds.

Considering that each race takes roughly 3 and a half hours to complete, this differential is quite astonishing. It might also be interesting to note that the difference in prize money between winning the race and finishing second was $657,492!

 

Yes, one might say, it truly “pays” to give that extra effort---

Take advantage of every moment, give your very best, and be doggedly persistent. As the old country saying goes,

Secondly,

 

Remember to say “thank you”.

You are supported and loved, and you have an entire Community behind you.

Don’t forget to let the people who have helped you know just how much you appreciate their support. You’ve done that so visibly today, but keep at it! You can never say “thank you” enough!

Consider the following story I love so much:

 

Thank the ones who have given everything for you to at this point, in this moment, today. Remember their sacrifices, and just how they have “cleared the branches”, for each of YOU.

And finally, let me encourage you to:

 

Only You can be You.

 

As the famous activist and leader, Eleanor Roosevelt reminds us,

 

 

The great writer, and, now, resident of my hometown Nashville, Tennessee, Anna Quindlen, encourages us to forget about perfection, and realize the beauty each of us possess, adding that

 

As you already know, you will find yourself in moments of question---moments in which you will have to choose between being popular and being true to yourself. You will not please everybody, and your integrity will be of the utmost importance.

You are strong and you are grounded. Your experience, training, and character are solid, and your choice, while difficult, is simple: You must remain true to who you are. As the great Greek philosopher Homer states,

 

Be of good cheer, and do not despair. And, if things get really tough, take a bit of solace from the following, last piece of advice I’ll share with you today...A powerful Blessing….In fact, It’s my one of my all-time favorite Prayers, and it comes from Mother Teresa:

 

And so, Class of 2018, that’s all I have for you...No more advice for today.

I do hope you’ll enjoy this “continuing adventure” to the fullest, and most importantly, I hope you know just how grateful I am for each of you.

You have made our School a better place, and you have enriched my life, and the life of the Roberts Family, with your presence.

 

Remember, too, upon leaving us today, the following:

Know that you are loved.

Know that you are supported.

Know that we are always cheering for you.

Know that you will be missed.

Know that we are waiting, and hoping you will return in due time to share your stories with us…

And, always remember,