  Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen:When I was chosen as Valedictorian, I began to wonder, 'what is the value of a Valedictorian Address?' Is it supposed to address the benefits of education? Is it supposed to comfort parents whose children are leaving home? Is it supposed to be a farewell to my classmates? After pondering these questions, I have come to the conclusion that a Valedictory Address is simply a message of empirical truth. So what is that truth? The truth about graduation is that it is a rite of passage. Tonight, we stand on the threshold of a doorway. As we go through this doorway, we are stepping from the world of dependency into a world of opportunity. Just as each individual is unique, so too are the opportunities that await them. Behind this doorway lies the prospect of a thousand more doors, and each graduate must choose which one to open. Behind each door awaits a world of possibility; some positive and some negative. Each individual must make a choice as to which of these doors to open. I will not stand here and be as naive as to assume that everyone here tonight will make the correct choice. However, I believe that the key to understanding life and the empirical truth inherent in it is in recognizing mistakes, and correcting them. It is only then that success is possible. John Heywood, a fifteenth century writer, once said that 'Of a good beginning, cometh a good end.' We certainly had a good beginning, but others were the doormen. First our parents kept the doors closed. They wanted to protect us, and keep us innocent, but soon realized that we too have to be part of the world. Slowly they allowed us to explore our world and expand our horizons. School came next. Teachers now held the keys to the doors. Here we were able to forge friendships, explore interests, and assert a degree of independence. I can honestly say that from the beginning our class demonstrated a closeness, which came from mutual respect and appreciation. These vital influences gave us our good beginning, and tonight we separate ourselves from them. Tonight we step through the door alone, masters of our own fate. What life holds in store for us is unknown, but our good beginning will surely influence our ending. A few short weeks ago, I was more assured of a joyous future. However, with the recent loss of a classmate and close friend, I have come to realize that sometimes our doors are chosen for us, regardless of how independent we think we are. I thought that Robin and I would remain close friends forever. We often talked about staying in contact, even though we were choosing different futures. Sadly, this one door, which I thought would remain open forever, closed suddenly and tragically over spring break. Various people in our lives have different expectations of what doors we should open, but I hope each one of us chooses for ourselves. To choose your direction in life, based on other's wishes, will not guaranteed happiness nor success. It is only through our own personal choices that we can achieve our dreams. Who knows better what is best for us than ourselves? I truly believe that everyone up here on stage has the potential to do or be anything he or she wants to. The doors you chose should be a reflection of who you are and not just who others want you to be. Fellow graduates, I congratulate you all on the feat which we have almost accomplished. However, I cannot help but wonder what will become of our futures. I hope that everyone will keep in mind that our years spent here in Worsley will always be 'A Walk To Remember'. Memories are what will keep us together. Thank you. |