BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Telegraph Staff Writer
Valedictorian Eden Chalker said she and her classmates have constantly been looking ahead, but she talked of the importance of enjoying the moment during her speech at Bradford High School’s May 20 commencement.
“I know that it is not super likely that any of you will remember what I spoke about after tonight,” Chalker said. “If you remember anything, remember this: Stop and smell the roses. We get so caught up in the stress of what is going to happen next that we forget to enjoy the present.”
Chalker began her speech by asking her classmates to give a round of applause to parents, guardians, teachers and school staff members, and role models for positively impacting their lives.
“Without these people as our support systems, I can guarantee we would not be sitting here today,” Chalker said.
Chalker then chronicled her and her classmates’ lives up to that point, saying, “The entirety of our lives has been consumed by looking to the future.”
As sixth-graders, they looked forward to the day when they would be eighth-graders. When they entered high school as freshmen, they looked forward to becoming seniors.
“However, I believe the most anticipated event was our graduation,” Chalker said. “What no one tells you about is the stress of planning your future after graduation. The stress of filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form or the many scholarship applications as well as college applications. Nobody tells you that on top of all these deadlines, you still have to make time to get good grades, go prom shopping, try to be involved in other class activities and spend time with the people that you love.
“That is the joy and stress of senior year — always looking to the future.”
Chalker encouraged her classmates to not be fully consumed by what is yet to come.
“While it is good to be prepared for the future, stop and smell the roses,” she said. “The future may not be here yet, but today is, so enjoy it.”
Defining ‘success’
Salutatorian Hannah Ferguson focused her speech on the meaning of “success,” saying, “I’m sure we all have our own definition of what the word ‘successful” means, whether it’s excelling in a career, a sport, a passion — whatever it may be.
“But what does it really mean? I believe success is creating a goal and going after it. This goal in particular doesn’t have to be anything extravagant. It can be anything you want.”
Ferguson said once a goal is set, the next step is to work toward achieving it and not letting anything get in the way of doing so.
“Life is hard, and there are going to be roadblocks,” Ferguson said. “Don’t forget that these roadblocks are only going to make your successes that much more spectacular. When hard times come, you have to learn to keep going.”
Ferguson encouraged her classmates to use failure as a way of bettering themselves.
“It’s OK to fail, but you have to make sure you don’t let it tear you apart,” she said “You have to get back up and learn from that failure. We have to learn how to pick ourselves up and look at things from a different perspective. There’s always a good side.”
So, you’ve set a goal, worked toward it and achieved it. Does that equate to success?
“Sure, you can say that, but you can’t stop there,” Ferguson said. “It’s time to find something else to work toward. No matter what place we are at in our lives, there’s always something else we can do to better ourselves, so don’t stop there. Keep going. Find something that you love, and chase after it.”
Departing advice
As part of her principal’s address, Angela Ward said she couldn’t have had a better graduating class in her first year as principal at BHS.
“I’ve enjoyed getting to know you all this year and will miss your dearly,” Ward said. “Of course, before you leave, I’ve got to share some words of wisdom with you.”
Ward then proceeded to recite a list of short pieces of advice, such as admit when you’ve made mistakes, listen more and talk less, strive for excellence rather than perfection, be kind to others (including those who are unkind), learn from the past, plan for the future and live in the present, and asking yourself three questions before you say something out loud: Is it true, is it necessary and is it kind?
In closing, Ward said, “Remember this: Life is like a book. Some chapters are sad, some are happy and some are exciting, but if you never turn the page, you will never know what that next chapter in your life is going to look like.
“Today, we’re closing this chapter of your book and beginning your next chapter. I encourage you to turn the page. Be the author of your future.”
Superintendent of Schools Will Hartley said his advice to graduates was to be willing to leave their comfort zone.
“Throughout the course of your life, you will be blessed with opportunities,” Hartley said. “Some you will be ready for, and some will force you to step out of your comfort zone. Do not miss those opportunities. Know that in the moment, you may not be ready, but do it anyway. I promise you that on your way to that success, you will exceed what you once believed was your potential.
“Enjoy your time together tonight. As you go out into this great, big world, go with confidence because you are smart, you are brave, you are capable and you are and always will be Tornadoes. Congratulations.”
