.:Wassup With It:.

:.Chapter 25.:

Thursday , May 20th , 10:21 AM

Lexi Pov

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Today was the day i've been waiting on for 3 years now. I'm finally finna walk across that stage and receive my diploma in nursing. I was sitting in my seat as the ceremony was proceeding. I was the valedictorian for my college class also so I had to say a speech today to. 

"And now , your college valedictorian of 2017 , Ms.Lexi Lyons." I smiled as everybody clapped as I walked up to the stage. I grabbed the mic and started , "Goodmorning everyone. It's an honor to be standing before you all today. This journey to get my degree hasn't been easy. Loosing my best friend , mom , dad , and grandfather has been MAJOR setbacks for me but I still managed to pull through and that's how I'm standing here today.Yet, today is not only my day to shine. Everygraduate present here is deserving of high praise and recognition and Iwould like to congratulate each of you on reaching this milestone in life.I think I speak for my fellow graduates when I say that this is a momentwe have always imagined and one we will remember for the rest of ourlives.My time here at Miami University will forever be etched in my heart. The many opportunities Iwas given both inside and outside of the classroom contributed to my growth, as a student andindividual. It was here, under the guidance of supportive professors and staff, that I became aware ofissues, realties, and perspectives that I hardly gave a thought to before. I would like to express a heartfeltthank you to Dr. Lynne Jackson and every member of the Communication Arts Department at St.Francis. I would especially like to thank Dr. Scott Weiss, Dr. Richard Berleth, Dr. Timothy Dugan, andProfessor David Gewirtz for your endless support, patience, and guidance. I owe a debt of gratitude toDr. Weiss for serving as my mentor and for guiding me throughout my three years at St. Francis and alsoto Dr. Berleth for sharing your fountain of knowledge which I admire and for inspiring me to be just asgreat in the career of my choosing as you are. I would also like to thank Dr. Emily Horowitz andProfessor Diana Gibaldi of the Sociology Department for helping me find my voice, sharing with merefreshing perspectives that challenge everyday norms. I must also say thank you to Professor StephenMarino of The Arthur Miller Journal, Director of Public Relations Mr. Richard Relkin, Director of theAcademic Center Professor Mitch Levenberg, and Dr. Gregory Tague of the English Department forpassing along many opportunities my way, opportunities that have strengthened my skills and allowedme to gain invaluable experience. Furthermore, on behalf of my graduating class, I would like to thankevery faculty member here at St. Francis for sharing your knowledge, for serving as mentors, for yourpatience and support. We are honored and grateful to have you as educators and to say we were onceyour students. Last, I would like to say thank you to Julie and Anne Kelly for providing me with a fullscholarship to attend Miami University alleviating me and my family of any worries about how to pay for myeducation. Their presence in my life is a true blessing.I would now like to take this time to thank my family for their endless support and love. Mom,thank you for your encouraging words, your advice, and for always believing in me even at times when Igave up on myself. Just as you have stood by me and helped me accomplish so many goals, I hope to beable to fulfill many of your dreams. Dad, thank you for your support, guidance, and for the lifelongvalues and morals you have instilled in me. To my little sister, thank you for keeping the child inside ofme alive, for always finding a way to put a smile on my face, and for your honesty. Last but not least, Iam proud to share this moment with my grandmother, a person whose wisdom and spirituality I deeplyadmire. I am extremely grateful and thankful to be the first grandchild in my family that my grandmotherwill witness graduate from college. To my family, I may not say it enough, but I love you all more thanwords can express and without your presence in my life, I don't know where or who I would be. MayaAngelou said, "But nobody, no nobody can make it out here alone" and I think my fellow graduates willagree with me when I say that this moment would not have been possible for each of us without strongsupport systems and I would like to thank all of the parents, family members, and friends here today forthe contributions you have made to our lives.To my fellow graduates, we all come from different walks of life, we all have different stories torecount our journey to Miami University, and after today we will all embark on unique paths. Yet, thecommon thread that runs among us is the desire for a brighter future and despite our individualizedviews about what that future may look like, we chose Miami University to bring us one step closer toour ultimate goal, to give us the tools we need for a better future, or simply to give us a new beginning.And what we got in return was perhaps more than we ever expected—we have each found a home hereat Miami University, one filled with supportive and caring professors, administration and staff, one filled withdiversity and activities to accommodate an array of interests, and a sense of community based ongenerosity and respect. Here, we were pushed to discover and challenge our abilities, interests, and evenour identities.My fellow graduates, I would like to leave you with these few thoughts. Nothing is ever handedto you in life. The accomplishment of your dreams and goals is only possible through dedication,passion, and effort. Don't ever become easily discouraged, believe in yourself and your dreams, staydetermined in the face of adversity, and never let your fears hold you back. I truly believe that everythingthat happens, happens for a reason and while you may not fully understand circumstances or turn ofevents right away, in time you will. Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Live as if you were to die tomorrow.Learn as if you were to live forever." Don't wait until tomorrow to do what you can do today; sometimestaking the road less traveled leads to unexpected opportunities and memorable experiences. But neverforget to maintain the curiosity of a child and embrace opportunities that will broaden or challenge yourperspectives. On your road to new adventures and endeavors, never forget to follow the Golden Rule oflife and treat others as you would like to be treated. Perhaps, unaware to you, your smile, kind gesture, orencouraging words can give someone that extra boost they needed.As I look out into the crowd before me, I sense a wave of emotions from everyone present. For family and friends, the sense of pride you have in your graduate's accomplishments is unmeasurable. You parents have a sense of joy in knowing that the child you have raised earned a college degree, and the knowledge there will be no more tuition payments. Brothers and sisters have gained a whole new sense of respect for the person who was your best friend growing up, or even your worst enemy. But nothing can top the feelings that we graduates have right now.Only four years ago we sat through a ceremony similar to this: Convocation. That day, graduation seemed far away, and the next four years seemed fresh and new. It was the first time many of us lived on our own or even had to wake up for class by ourselves. We learned new and interesting items that could be cooked in the microwave without setting off the fire alarm. During that ceremony, we listened to unfamiliar voices speak and tell us how much we would learn over the next four years. We trusted complete strangers, called Resident Advisors, who were overwhelmingly enthusiastic and borderline crazy. They showed us where the essentials were on campus, like the laundary rooms, and gave us advice to get through the first week of college. Many of us quickly made new friends, joked around, and acted like everything was better than it had ever been. But deep down, whether we wanted to admit it or not, a sense of fear ached in the pit of our stomachs. The fear of the unknown, the fear of failure, the fear of the future. Today, we fear losing touch with these friends we have made. We fear not finding the ideal job, and instantly the stresses of our childhood seem so trivial.When I was five years old, the worst thing I experienced was breaking my pink crayon. I cried for days. When I was eight, I was furious when I only got a Pochontis plate set and not the sneakers like I had asked for. At twelve years old when I didn't make the talent show I never wanted to go back to school. And at fifteen, when my parents said I was too young to go to a school dance, I thought life was completly unfair. Part of me is ashamed for reacting so dramatically to issues that appear so minor now.As we close this chapter and continue to write the pages of our lives, let's never forget thebridges we've crossed, the bonds we've shared and the memories that we've made. Let's alwaysremember the important role that Miami UNiversity, the Big College of Big Dreams, played in helpingus accomplish some of our many goals.Congratulations once again and I wish each of you health, strength, prosperity, and happinessnow and in the future!! Thank you." I smiled as I walked back to my seat. I was only a step closer to leaving this bxtch.