Graduation Speeches

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This is the time of year when commencement addresses go viral.  We see pictures of the First Lady, Mrs. Obama, read tweets about Tina Fey, and view videos of Gwen Ifill, as well as other celebrities addressing the classes of 2014.  Using humor, experience, and good old practical advice these speakers offer clues into a successful life for graduates. 

I heard an address to the Senior Class of 2014 at Dominican High School this past week.  These students were told to go make the world Dominican!!!  The speaker challenged the students to
dare to dream the future,
dare to live without fear,
dare to change lives.

Using examples such as Malala Yousafzai, the young Pakistani girl who challenged the Taliban, Jack Andraka, who took what inspired him in freshman biology to develop a diagnostic test for pancreatic cancer, and Blake Mycoskie, the young owner of TOMS shoes who uses his success to give away shoes all over the world.   This veteran DHS teacher encouraged these graduates to use their passion, intellect, and moral compass to be Dominican and make a difference wherever they go. The teacher concluded by saying he sleeps well at night because our future is in such good hands!!

How about you?  What good graduation speeches have you heard?

Peggy Ryan, OP/Whitefish Bay, WI

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