Decoding You *Watty Awards 2012*

Chapter 39

June 1

I had gotten my cast off the day before, I was lucky enough to be walking across the stage tonight as Valedictorian. But I would be watching the guy I loved making his speech as Salutatorian.

We had all been called up and we had all recieved our diploma's. As Valedictorian I was sitting right next to Ryder in the front row, he's nervous. He keeps rubbing his palms on his knee.

I pat his hand, and whisper, "You'll be fine," before walking up on stage behind him.

"First of all, I can't believe that I'm not Valedictorian," the crowd chuckles and he turns and winks at me briefly before turning back, "I'm only kidding. Kind of. I wasn't here for all four years of high school. I was actually one of those kids constantly messing up in their life. I'm the kid that set all the frogs free in Biology freshman year."

Everyone laughs at the memory, "I only came back in December, and even then I was still making mistakes. I won't lie and say that I've quit making mistakes because in the last six months I've made some of the biggest mistakes of my life. But with mistakes come lessons. And with lessons come the art of growing up. Leaving high school and joining in on the real world, becoming an adult."

Everyone nods in agreement and he continues, "I know that throughout high school our class has come away with a lot of memories. Like when we were sophomores and the 2010 seniors asked for our help with their senior prank. We were the very reason that they pulled it off so smoothly, and they didn't even try to get us in trouble. I think with that memory we learned a lesson for our senior prank. Never tattle on your help."

Everyone laughs again and he says, "I have a quote for all of you that I found while searching the Internet and random blogs, because honestly I didn't have any clue what to write tonight. It's from inspiringquotes.tumblr.com and I think it fits what I'm trying to say pretty well. I'm not entirely sure who wrote it, but whoever they are they seem to know what they're saying. So here it goes:

'Do you think, that when we're old and dying, we'll look back at life and laugh and say, 'I got all A's in my senior year?' Or that our only regret will be, 'Why didn't I try harder and get into Harvard? Or Yale? Stanford? Why didn't I become CEO of my company? Why?'

No.

When we're old and dying we'll look back at the memories we made, laugh at them, remembering the grand old days. Childhood memories. First love. True love.

And we'll regret those things we failed to do. Working late, never being there for our children's big memories. Not taking that trip to Europe. Not asking that big question. Not taking risks. Not coloring outside the lines.

It's the memories that matter. Not the merits. Go out there, and live. Live a life you'll want to look back on. Do crazy things. Risk it all. And love like there's no tomorrow. The possibilities are limitless.

You are limitless.

It's your turn. So go out there. And live.'

He's silent for a minute before saying, "I had an entirely different speech written last night and this morning it just didn't feel right after our practice. But I'm going to tell you the gist of it. I thanked several teachers for what they taught us and I talked about silly cliche memories that none of us will forget. I thanked my friends and I thanked my parents and family and then I thanked all of you."

He pauses and smiles, "So right now I would sincerely like to thank every single teacher any of us in this room has ever had. You've created memories for us, a lot we'll probably never remember, but a few we will never forget. You guys are the whole reason we're all here today in cap and gown."