The car rolled slowly to a stop as it reached the high school parking lot. As the engine stopped everyone waited around a minute before even hinting at attempting to get out of the car. As they sat quietly the rain picked up to a higher intensity, pounding on the top of the car and on the gravel of the parking lot. Sitting in the trunk of the Range rover was the man of honor, he wore a miserable look on his face.
One after another doors started to open as a mom, dad, sister, and brother emerged from the interior of the car. With a loud sigh of anxiety the young man threw the back door open and jumped out of the car. Turning toward the school he took off as to not get soaked by the rain. In his path was a shallow puddle which took him by surprise. Sliding across the parking lot he finally stopped with an awkward fall which soaked no more than the whole front side of his pants.
Groaning the young man got to his feet and attempted to make a hasty retreat to the car.
“Sean, where do you think you’re going?” Said the father
“Uhhh I can’t do this lets go back.”
“C’mon,”
Sean ended his hasty retreat and speedily walked to the school. As he entered the auditorium of the school he looked around and gaped at the hundreds of faces. Cursing under his breath he made his way to the front row seats where the students were seated.
“Sean, did you have an accident or something? I thought you were potty trained already.”
“James please just stop man, I am not in the mood for this. I have bigger problems to deal with than you.”
James rolled his eyes and dropped the conversation. Troy walked up the aisle and looked at Sean scrutinizing his suit which happened to be too small as well as soaked.
“Man, just do not say anything.” Sean said in despair and quickly descended the stairs to his seat. As he neared the front row a roar of laughter erupted from Troy. It was ironic that he chose to laugh when they shared similar problems with their chosen attire.
Soon after being seated the lights dimmed and the fixtures positioned over the stage glowed brighter. The speeches began with the superintendant of schools in Montgomery County who was followed by a teacher and then a few students. They all finished rather quickly making Sean feel increasingly uncomfortable.
“And now, Sean Murtah, our keynote speaker will come deliver us a message.” Sean looked around wildly with unease as the audience and the students started clapping.
With a sigh of final despair the young man stood up. Suddenly he underwent a huge transformation; he walked with the cockiness of a king, wore the expression of a boss, and gave off the aura of a higher being. The change was necessary and as he reached the stage and took his stance behind the podium he felt alive. Filling the silence that preceded his warm welcome he delivered the greatest speech of the day.
“Today I am glad to be graduating from Neelsville Middle school. For me Neelsville holds many wonderful memories. We have made great friends and shared fun times together, in class and out, like outdoor ED and school sports. It is exciting to takes stock of how far we have come since the first day of 6th grade and the opportunities that await us today.
However, I am not here to talk about looking back. The period of choices is here for us as we make another transition, this time from middle school to high school. In high school everyone is confronted with the choice to either make or break themselves. You all must take control of your future and be prepared to put the past behind you. Those of you who have not been trying (you know who you are), it is not too late to start. For those of you with ideas bigger than life, start building them now. And to the few who are still waiting in the shadows of indecision, do not hesitate to become who or what you have always wanted to be. Know that accomplishing your greatest dreams starts at school and within you. The opportunity has arisen. I challenge you all to become “Dreamchasers”.
I would also like to take a brief moment to say, “thank you” to the teachers and counselors at Neelsville. Their hard work made this ceremony possible. The 6th grade teachers taught us how to navigate through Middle School. In 7th grade you pushed us to work harder and think for ourselves. Then this year, in 8th grade the challenges got even tougher. I never thought I would be speaking here today. Teachers, we are all the products of your hard work and dedication. So, on behalf of the 8th grade class I would like to say, “thank you” for your three years of encouragement and unwavering support. “
As he concluded his speech Sean scanned the huge auditorium to gauge the reaction of the audience. After a short pause a roar of clapping filled the room and with his speech concluded Sean hastily sped off the stage, out of the school, out of the parking lot, and into the new world of high school. Middle school was now behind him.