Independent and dependent clauses,
Gerunds, participles, infinitives,
Logos, pathos, ethos,
Narrative, expository, argumentative essays
Ideas and understandings that have been discovered and cultivated over thousands of years—we have tried to cram into fewer than 180 days of school.
We have experienced a week of smoke, several snowy days, and a time when you were shown what standing up for principles looks like.
We have laughed together—maybe too often, and at times, the tears that welled in our eyes weren’t from the laughter.
We have been snarky and snippy with one another but also supportive and silly.
We have perhaps been more than just a class.
Together, we have read stories about Scarlett O’Hara and Romeo and Juliet—sort of.
We have met an orphaned street kid that reminded us that societal expectations can only shackle us if we let them,
An abused boy who taught us that heroes can come in all shapes,
And a group of teens that may have opened our eyes to more of life’s lessons and realities than those whom we call friends.
We were gripped with emotion while witnessing the world’s profound ugliness as those who simply wanted to live life and love God were massacred because it offended someone,
And many who could’ve done something about the evil chose not to.
We heard and told stories through poetry—because poetry is a lot less scary than previously thought.
And while many of you may have connected for the first time to a book this year, remember that your story is unique.
Your story is remarkable.
Your story is necessary.
And while it might be easier sometimes to try to tell and to live someone else’s story, know that our world would be less interesting if yours is never told.
I can’t promise that life after middle school is going to be easy.
Heck, life in middle school isn’t always easy.
There will be times when you are broken,
And the pieces of disappointment, grief, and betrayal will be so heavy in your pockets that you will feel like you can’t swim back to the top.
And I hate that.
But you will swim back up
Because you are resilient, and you are strong.
You know that this is not the end.
And if you haven’t figured that out, yet, listen to me—even if it is for the first time this year: this is not the end.
There may be times when your survival depends on help from others.
Ask for that help
Because I know the people who surround you,
And I know the types of people, whom you can choose to surround yourself with,
And when you have finally swum back to the top, and you have climbed back in that boat and dried yourself off, keep your eyes open.
Look for those who are still struggling to stay afloat.
And instead of saying, “Oh, how terrible,” jump right back in.
Don’t be afraid to get your clothes wet if it means saving someone else.
Care for others long before they care for you.
Be the person who stops to pick someone else up, and if she can’t get up, sit down with her until she is ready.
The way you treat, think about, and talk about those whom you do not like say so much more about you than how you treat your friends,
Friends that you have chosen, maybe wisely or poorly,
And, it isn’t too late—it is never too late to choose again
Because those who hang out with trash, end up smelling like trash.
And those who associate themselves with honorable people will, too, be honorable.
Many will say that you are too young to be in love—and most times, I tend to agree.
In fact, I think I’m too young to be in love.
Relationships are a high-risk, high-reward investment because both sides of a broken heart requiring mending.
“I love you” may be the sweetest or the bitterest words that can ever cross your lips.
Your heart may sing for someone long after they’ve stopped playing the music,
But in the end, your value to this world will not come from some guy or some girl.
Fall in love with who you are, and if you can’t, it might be time to re-examine your heart.
Remember that “I” and “seen,” don’t go together, but “I think,” “I can,” and “I will” can change your whole life.
Remember that every thought that comes to your head is not worthy to be spoken,
And “please” and “thank you” are not magic words because they get you what want.
Guard your opportunities. Guard your words. Guard your reputation. Guard your innocence because each is fragile and once broken, can never be fixed again.
Use your words wisely and your anger even more prudently,
Know that forgiveness is not weakness
Because being able to rid yourself of resentment and pain each day takes immeasurable strength.
I know that some of you don’t feel like you’re enough. Smart enough. Pretty enough. Talented enough. Accepted enough. Loved enough. “Fill in the blank” enough
And I know that as long as I am on this earth, you will have someone in your corner. You will be loved, you will be cared for, and you will be enough.
When you look back on this year, on this class, I hope you stand up a little taller
Because you made it. You survived.
You survived a daily barrage of sarcasm thrown at you like confetti.
You survived being called “bud” or “mujer” more often than your own name.
Your survived a presidential campaign, writing essays and poems, and giving speeches, sometimes wholly personal, in front of your classmates and a teacher who has a hard time controlling his face,
And when I look back on this year, I, too, will swell with pride
Because I know who you were, I know who you are, and I know who I hope you will become.
I have always wanted to be a great artist.
I have always been envious of those would could make people stop and wonder at their masterpieces,
But, now, I ‘m not jealous—well, not as jealous
Because you are my works in progress, and you join nearly a thousand of my other works in progress.
I will probably never get to see the masterpieces that will be your lives:
Your successes and disappointments,
Your family and your lost love ones,
Your joy and your pain,
But if ever I hear your name, I will smile because you are one of “my kids.”
So, here are some words that you have heard at least 180 times:
Do good things.
Feed the hungry. Welcome the lonely. Better the world. Love others.
Make me proud.
I will be proud when you transcend the expectations that the world places on you.
And above all else, in times of darkness, do not be another person who complains about how dark it is.
Walk over and turn on the lights.
