Salutatory Address

[JaneYoung]

Every year I assess the time spent and commitment to the team and to FIRST and I think, ok - this is the last year - really. I'm getting old, my hair is getting blonder, time to step back. And then a remarkable thing like this happens: a gift freely given by a graduating senior who acknowledges the value of her education and the inspiration she has received through her experiences. Those experiences include FIRST and her role models: teachers, mentors, Dean Kamen.

And then I sigh and say, ok - one more year.

It would be a lot easier if students would quit being so magnificent. Really.

[GaryVoshol]

Well done.

[Scott Ritchie]

Wow great speech.

I know that sometimes it gets hard to sit through some of Dean's talks. I think he knows he is not the so called "dynamic" speaker. On the other hand I don't know if it is a side affect of my dyslexia but about two days latter I think wow that had some profound nuggets in it. When I was a team lead I know my kids didn't always want to sit through those talks but I couldn't help thinking this is so great for them to her someone much smarter than them or me talk for awhile. How many high school students get the opportunity to hear a mini lecture from someone like Dean, Woodie, or Dave? This is all good and I commend you for listening and putting it to use.

[tennispro9911]

WOW, great speech. I'm valedictorian of my class, although my graduation is June 28th. Mind if I use a couple ideas from it?

[StephLee]

Thank you for the great comments everyone - they mean a lot.

Originally Posted by tennispro9911

WOW, great speech. I'm valedictorian of my class, although my graduation is June 28th. Mind if I use a couple ideas from it?

Feel free to use some ideas, if you want.

[RoboMom]

Stephanie, it's been fun watching you the past 4 years. You have grown into a terrific speaker. I love this one!

Go out and do good things.

ps. I hope Stephanie won't mind that I share with the cd community that she did an amazing job speaking, along with another student, at the VIP luncheon at Chesapeake. She agreed to do this, under a lot of time pressure, as she was also juggling multiple responsibilities. Both these students made us very proud.

[OScubed]

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

It would be a lot easier if students would quit being so magnificent. Really.

Ain't it so

[David Brinza]

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

Every year I assess the time spent and commitment to the team and to FIRST and I think, ok - this is the last year - really. I'm getting old, my hair is getting blonder, time to step back. And then a remarkable thing like this happens: a gift freely given by a graduating senior who acknowledges the value of her education and the inspiration she has received through her experiences. Those experiences include FIRST and her role models: teachers, mentors, Dean Kamen.

And then I sigh and say, ok - one more year.

It would be a lot easier if students would quit being so magnificent. Really.

A couple of years ago in Atlanta, I was chatting with Charlie Clement from FIRST. He said something that I've come to believe:

"There is no exit strategy from FIRST!"

[David Brinza]

Stephanie - what a terrific speech. My youngest son just graduated from Mountain Home HS (Bomb Squad) two weeks ago. Their saluatory address talked about the "rite of passage", but your speech reminds the Class of 2008 that there is much more to celebrate as we mold our careers and future. Congratulations and good luck!

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Steph,
A tear came to my eye as I read your address. You get a gold star! You have condensed your thoughts down into a workable concept and you delivered. I wish I could have been in the audience to applaud because this definetely needs applause. Good luck on your future endeavors, I am sure you will have a lot to celebrate in the future.