Baccalaureate Talk 5-16-10
Baccalaureate Talk for THS May 16, 2010
I am honored to be your speaker this afternoon. It is humbling to be standing before you as I consider the line up of speakers that you have had in recent years…from my friend Danny Copeland-NFL great…Shawn Jones Quarterback of national champion Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Pulitzer prize winning author Jeffrey Marx, decorated military leader Moses Everett and also my friend Stephanie Tillman, corporate counsel for Flowers Foods.
As my wife told me back in the fall when I was invited to be one of a group of speakers in a local forum on various international topics…”you are the only one in the group that is not a Professor or carries a doctorate…You ought to feel mighty humble”…It is an honor you have given me as a local businessman to be your speaker among the group of distinguished speakers that have come before me.
I will open with a few general comments; will share some key tenants about life using the acronym. FREEDOM, and will finish with a few closing thoughts.
This is a particularly special opportunity for me as I know so many of you personally. I have had the pleasure of seeing some of you Baptized in some cases, observed you giving your profession of faith, I have cheered for many of you thru YMCA sports, recreation league games, and THS sports events. I have been a Scout leader for some of you having backpacked with you or enjoyed time around a campfire. Many of you I know thru your friendship with my four kids (Christopher, Mallory, Madison, and Marshall), thru your parents, or maybe from your accomplishments academically or on the field.
I was on the field with quite a number of you Friday night celebrating a State Soccer Championship with Bulldog Pride. My 9th grader Madison passed me a note in church this morning that said…Dad, after beating 5A Norcross in the regular season and now defeating A/AA finalist Wesleyan of Norcross…we basically own the city of Norcross in soccer for 2010.
I believe this is the first State Soccer championship for any public school in South Georgia. This is also the first team State championship for Thomasville High school since we were 1999 baseball champs. I realize that this is a class that has accomplished much in your years here growing up in Thomasville. Your achievements for Thomasville High reflect your efforts.
Your parents and your community are very proud of you.
You represent fresh energy
You represent creative ideas
You represent a bright future
By this point in your life, you have to realize that Life is made up of special occasions. This week of Graduation will be a great memory for you, your family, and your friends. In the fast paced world that we live in, it is awesome to slow down and just reflect when we reach special milestones like this week.
It is a good time to give appreciation to those that have made a difference for you in your first 18 years:
Your parents and extended family have been there for you through thick and thin….I know in my own life….now more than ever what my parents sacrificed for me...loved me in spite of my shortcomings…..love you cannot truly understand until you have your own children
Teachers, coaches and administrators dedicate their lives to young people….constantly guiding, encouraging, and at times disciplining….two of my THS teachers are still teaching…Lynn Stowers and Dale Graham…What incredible dedication? They have had a big impact on lives in this community and beyond. They had an impact on me and are thankfully still serving and making a difference for my children today.
And each of you has other mentors in your life…Know that they want the best for you. Know that your mentors will not stop helping you. I encourage you to continue to seek their council. In fact, know that most of those older than you throughout your life take it as a compliment when you ask them to share their Wisdom. One of your greatest assets for you going forward will be those adults around you that have knowledge and experience from many decades to draw on.
As I reflect back on my growing up years here…I recall attending 6 schools in 12 years…Eastside (what is now the Cultural Center), Scott, Susie Dunlap, Douglas, MacIntyre Park, and THS….makes me wonder now if my class made such a ruckus that we had to be moved out every two years. In actuality, integration occurred during my middle school years…not an easy time and yet a great experience that shaped and molded me. Teachers like my good friend Andy Jones had an impact on me during those turbulent times…placed a mark on me. Andy is a dear friend. I have great respect for him. We are fortunate that he continues to serve this school system as a Board member.
Certain aspects and certain people in your life growing up here have shaped you. They are part of your DNA.
Like I did, you grew up in a very special place. Thomasville is often called “A Place Apart” and the further you get away, the more you realize just how special that it is. I had to get all the way to California just after college-2500 miles away in my first job before I realized how good we have it here.
My daughter Mallory, now a freshman in college recently had several girls from her school visit here. They adjusted their drive on the way back from spring break in Florida because they wanted to see the place that from Mallory’s description sounded to them like C.S. Lewis’ Narnia. The natural beauty is one amazing aspect. But the people here add a dimension that is unique.
Your plans may include work or school locally or far away. You have the opportunity to make a difference wherever you go. But, I encourage you to cherish your roots.
As you consider the road ahead in your life….I would like to share some thoughts with you that I feel are important…I will use the acronym FREEDOM hoping that this will be a way that you will remember some of my comments
F - Faith-a strong faith is a sure foundation. If you do not hear anything else that I say today...take away that God has a plan for you…operating in His will should be a lifelong objective for ALL of us
Family-Love them and appreciate them more than you think you should. I am fortunate that I married above myself. My bride is an amazing lady...she shores up my weaknesses. And we are blessed with four very special children. We are a prolific clan and so I have a large extended family thankfully.
Friends are “the spice of life”. Do the “little things” to lift others up-do more than you have to…My Mom gets credit for imprinting this in me and I am not the best at it but just consider the impact on those around you….a fresh-picked camellia on a neighbors door step, a note, a card, a call, a hug. Friendships enrich life.
R - Responsibility-as a Citizen-for your community-State-Country-
-personal responsibility for your actions-Use your judgment as you make your way thru life….Act like Ladies and Gentlemen. You will not always get it right but learn and grow from your mistakes…I have far too many battle scars from my walk thru life. Sometimes it takes me a little longer to learn a lesson. I am grateful for the forgiveness I have been given in abundance along the way
E - Enthusiasm-Act enthusiastic and you will be enthusiastic-wear a smile and you will find it to be contagious-it does not cost a thing
In my Freshman year at Washington and Lee, my friends kidded me as I spoke to everybody on campus…called most by name but there was this Connecticut football player that never would speak when you passed him. It troubled me. It took my classmate from Milwaukee to explain to me that not everybody smiles and speaks to everyone. Be enthusiastic every day…it will be contagious to many of those around you and makes life more fun for all.
E - Expect the best of yourself- Be your own person. Do not be conformed by this world (Romans 12:2)
My father taught us what his Grandfather taught him “each generation should be an improvement over the prior generation”
D - Dream Big-and dream often-write down your hopes and dreams and make a commitment to revisit them regularly. Consider developing an annual personal plan for yourself and eventually for your family. I like to take a day a year as a planning day to check my progress towards my goals. Establish positive daily routines that are steps toward your broader goals…good habits in the area of fitness, growing knowledge, and deepening faith are examples.
O - Opportunity-you were born in America, land of the free, a place that many refugees will go to great lengths to get to. Appreciate what you have in your country. Many that came before us sacrificed much for what we have. To maintain this opportunity you must
be informed. VOTE! Decide now to never miss an election in your lifetime.
M - Make a difference in the lives of those around you and your life will be a rich one.
“To whom much is given, much is expected”
We have been given so much….we need to be mindful of those less fortunate that need us to pay attention and make a difference
FREEDOM….consider the value of your freedom
Faith, Family, Friends
Responsibility
be Enthusiastic in work and when you play-show Joy-radiate a passion for life
Expect the best of yourself-be an improvement over the prior generation-Do not conform to this world-Be your own person
Dream big-write down your goals-make them measurable-check your progress
Opportunity-appreciate your country-your freedom
Make a difference in the lives of those around you
Take your FREEDOM seriously!
We hear so much negativity today…Politics….about the economy…from the Press in general. Yes, we have challenges to deal with in America and globally but I feel that this is a huge time of opportunity for you. Set yourself apart with a strong work ethic…with a commitment to lifelong learning and with passion for all that you do. You decide how high to “chin the bar”. Do not allow others to lower your expectations for yourself.
The Commencement speaker at UGA last weekend was famous food show host Alton Brown…quite a character. When relating to those college Grads his top advice as they approach their career search, he stated “Don’t look for your car keys with a telescope”. That really got my attention. Keep your viewfinders open. Keep your perspective broad. You want to be able to see opportunities that are around you.
Choose a career path that you can be passionate about….not what you are pressured into …do what you really feel “called” to do. Follow your passion.
Your path will develop over the course of your life. At age 51, my path and my purpose are still developing.
Alton also said that “No job is a waste of time unless you choose to waste your time” Learn at everything that you do all along the way. Give it your all!
As I wrap up, remember that God has a plan for each of us. I believe that he uses us as an instrument in the lives of others. Be open to God’s intended purpose for you. In my life, it has often been when I looked back in time that I realized that God had his hand on me.
I would like to close with Proverbs 3:5-6 . It is one of my favorites. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and He will make your paths straight.
Seniors, Seize the moment! Your time is now. May God Bless you and keep you.
