2017-18 8th grade graduation speech

The following is the speech I delivered on May 24th, 2018 to the St. Pius X Class of 2018

First, I would like to say welcome to all the families and graduates of the Class of 2018.

One of the final and most touching traditions here, is when all the students line the hallway and cheer you, the 8th graders, out of the building on your last day of school.  I want to apologize for missing this special event, as I had to attend a family funeral in northern Indiana.  I ask your forgiveness and know I was there in spirit.

That being said, while driving up north, I had to use GPS for directions to the funeral home and it got me thinking…  I love my GPS because it tells me exactly how to get to where I need to go, and assuming traffic patterns are okay, the GPS can tell me, within minutes, the time I will arrive at my desination.  If I know I am going to be late, I can call, and if I am going to be early, maybe I can stop for lunch or a soda.  It is so nice to have the route laid out for me with a predicable arrival.

Now, no matter how old you were when you first came to SPX, I imagine you were experiencing feelings of being lost or unsure of your path, just as I was three years ago when I arrived at SPX and much like I would have been last night had I not had my GPS.  But the St. Pius community - teachers and classmates, family members and friends, were all here to assist you and give you guidance and directions, and before you knew it, you had the SPX-thing under control.  You knew where to go, how to get there, the shortcuts and road blocks, basically how to navigate to get yourself to this moment - 8^th grade graduation. 

You went from being a scared and nervous Kindergartener to a confident and comfortable 8^th grader.  You went from being lost and overwhelmed in this big school, to being experienced leaders and showing others around this school that doesn’t seem so big anymore.  You learned how to maneuver the path through school following the lead of the older kids and now you have acted as the GPS to new families taking tours and to your kindergarten buddies.

Today you leave a legacy of Leadership.  You might not know this but you’re the first middle school class to go from 6th through 8^th grade while I’ve been principal and I have had extremely high expectations for you.  I have also had much more patience than I could have dreamed of waiting for all of you to become the 8^th grade leaders.  And I must say, it was worth the wait.

Your leadership will ring through these hallways for a long time to come.  From being the Kindergarten’s buddies and student ambassadors, to leading Kaizens and taking care of the daily flag responsibilities, you were never afraid to show your true leadership abilities.  You proved not only to be good examples for the entire SPX student body but especially to the kindergarteners.  You have all stepped up and led this school, exceeding the expectations I had for you.  Please continue being the leaders at whichever high school you attend.  Be confident knowing that you have what it takes to stand strong and supporting you will be the roots and core values you have learned from your teachers and the Leader in Me. 

As I left my family function yesterday evening to head home, I again turned on my GPS.  However, this time, all I had to do was hit “home” on the screen and it automatically gave me the directions to my house, I did not have to add the city or type in my address.  Today I want to reiterate to each and every one of you that St. Pius X community is your home button.  When things get difficult, and they will, when things get out of control, and they will, when things seem to be going in the wrong direction, and they will, just hit “home” and know that you are always welcome here.   No matter where you are attending high school or where your journey takes you in life, you know you are always welcome at the home in which you sleep, now know that you can press the home key and will be welcomed back to SPX and our special community. 

So, to the class of 2018, our newest SPX alumni - I say good luck and God speed.  Know that we will keep you in our prayers, remember that you are loved and will be missed, and finally - CONGRATULATIONS!!