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Commencement Welcome Address
May 31, 2007 12:00 AM
By Tannika King - Faculty
Read the complete text of Brett Henson's ('07) Welcome Address given during Commencement on May 26:
On behalf of the esteemed graduates of the Class of 2007 and with great pride, I would like to welcome you all to Darlington School’s 102nd Commencement.
Today is Graduation Day, so why would we use the word “commencement” to describe the end of our high school careers? Some of you may not know, but the word actually has a dual meaning. It refers to the end of something and, of course, the beginning of something else. It is during these transition periods, “commencement,” that we fully come to understand what has ended. Even more importantly, we take that which has been concluded and apply it to the new beginning. As Dr. Carleton told me weeks ago that I would be commencing Commencement, I hope to share some of these conclusions with you.
So, first things first. Thanks to all the teachers here at Darlington and all of the family members at home who have given their support. I know you have heard this countless times in the last few days, but it would not have been possible for us to be sitting here today without you. Our appreciation will never do justice for the many gifts that you have bestowed upon us.
Well guys, we made it. After four years of shifting many gears here at Darlington (isn’t that right, Mr. Rhodes?) - seeing three heads of school, two Upper School principals, two deans of students, countless changes and improvements, being the last class to avoid school uniforms, and steering clear of the bad elements (just as Mr. Neville advised) – I can say with confidence that we have seen all of Darlington’s faces, and we have been a constant factor throughout.
Darlington puts a great emphasis on the fact that the seniors are the leaders of the School. To be a leader, you do not have to be elected or appointed or privileged. Leaders are those who believe and act on their beliefs – it is that simple.
I believe the seniors have shown leadership by being great role models. Dr. Carleton charged us at the beginning of the year to build a Habitat for Humanity home. I cannot honestly give the seniors credit for this success, but they have been the catalysts for encouraging everyone to get involved. As a school, we raised more than $50,000 to be a full sponsor. This spring students, faculty, and friends of Darlington have been working hard to construct the home. Former Attorney General Robert Francis Kennedy once said, “It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope.” Everyone who gave their time and energy to this project: you are selfless people of great integrity and devotion sending out the “ripples of hope” to the world, and my hat is off to you. Keep caring and giving because (as much as you may not believe), you inspire others to do the same, and people like you make the world go ‘round.
Those of you who know this senior class well also know that most of its members have gone through some very difficult times. It is just not natural for any group of high school students to cope with the kinds of tragedies that we have faced. I would like to share part of an essay I wrote for Mr. Saunders in junior English following the passing of Anna Kipp and Hannah Tillman:
A part of Darlington has been lost with the deaths of our friends. But, the Darlington community’s core values of care and thoughtfulness have strengthened among us in the light of tragedy. It is our responsibility to carry on the memories of the dead by spreading these values that we hold dearly.
You know, each year when I see the graduation stage being built, I am sadly reminded that the year is coming to an end. But, standing on it now, my soul is uplifted by what I see. In front of me on the hill near the library are two trees growing in the memories of Clay McKemie and Sean Wilkinson. To my left overlooking the Cove is a statue celebrating the life of Erika Binns. To my right is the Morris Chapel, a gathering place and a house of worship, where yesterday a student of Darlington was given the Kipp-Tillman Memorial Award. How can I be sad when I know that those students still live on in our hearts and minds?
As a graduate of Darlington, I feel a great sense of empowerment. You know, truthfully, we are all extremely blessed to be here. The opportunity of Darlington is one that has been given to us. We, the soon-to-be alumni, are here for reasons largely out of our own control. With this opportunity comes many benefits and privileges but also great expectations and responsibility. Beyond these gates is a bigger, very different world – one of large problems and a sometimes harsh reality. As former Darlington President Jim Hendrix said to last year’s graduating class, it will be up to our generation to solve these problems – making health care affordable for all, trying to feed the world, implementing positive ways to interact with our global environment – all concerned with the general well-being of people. Whether you like it or not, every person sitting here will make an impact – in choosing your occupation, in promoting awareness for your ideals, in who you vote for to represent those ideals, yes and even in paying your taxes that hopefully go to promote programs of progress.
One of the most influential men of the 20th century, Mahatma Ghandi once said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” I believe Darlington has given us the tools we need to think for ourselves. You can make a world of difference by practicing those thoughts and living those beliefs in order to be that change that you desire.
Finally, I’d like to read you a poem that I heard in a sermon this past Christmas. It is called “The Paradoxical Commandments” by Dr. Kent Keith, and a version of this poem is written on the wall of Mother Teresa’s home in Calcutta where the Missionaries of Charity come to pray. I have kept a copy of this in my drawer to read whenever I feel that life is unfair.
People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.
If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.
The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.
People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.
People really need help but may attack you if you help them.
Help people anyway.
Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.
This is great advice to live by because it is helpful to everyone. I hope we all will strive to give the world our best because no one can expect more and should not expect less.
Last thing. I have something to say to a very special person. Mrs. Barnes, thank you for being my mother this year. All your fine, young men love you very much!
To the graduates of the Class of 2007, in the ever-enduring words of Dean Neville, you truly are the best under heaven. It has been an immense privilege to be here with you. I wish you all the greatest of luck in your future endeavors. Godspeed and God bless!
On behalf of the esteemed graduates of the Class of 2007 and with great pride, I would like to welcome you all to Darlington School’s 102nd Commencement.
Today is Graduation Day, so why would we use the word “commencement” to describe the end of our high school careers? Some of you may not know, but the word actually has a dual meaning. It refers to the end of something and, of course, the beginning of something else. It is during these transition periods, “commencement,” that we fully come to understand what has ended. Even more importantly, we take that which has been concluded and apply it to the new beginning. As Dr. Carleton told me weeks ago that I would be commencing Commencement, I hope to share some of these conclusions with you.
So, first things first. Thanks to all the teachers here at Darlington and all of the family members at home who have given their support. I know you have heard this countless times in the last few days, but it would not have been possible for us to be sitting here today without you. Our appreciation will never do justice for the many gifts that you have bestowed upon us.
Well guys, we made it. After four years of shifting many gears here at Darlington (isn’t that right, Mr. Rhodes?) - seeing three heads of school, two Upper School principals, two deans of students, countless changes and improvements, being the last class to avoid school uniforms, and steering clear of the bad elements (just as Mr. Neville advised) – I can say with confidence that we have seen all of Darlington’s faces, and we have been a constant factor throughout.
Darlington puts a great emphasis on the fact that the seniors are the leaders of the School. To be a leader, you do not have to be elected or appointed or privileged. Leaders are those who believe and act on their beliefs – it is that simple.
I believe the seniors have shown leadership by being great role models. Dr. Carleton charged us at the beginning of the year to build a Habitat for Humanity home. I cannot honestly give the seniors credit for this success, but they have been the catalysts for encouraging everyone to get involved. As a school, we raised more than $50,000 to be a full sponsor. This spring students, faculty, and friends of Darlington have been working hard to construct the home. Former Attorney General Robert Francis Kennedy once said, “It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope.” Everyone who gave their time and energy to this project: you are selfless people of great integrity and devotion sending out the “ripples of hope” to the world, and my hat is off to you. Keep caring and giving because (as much as you may not believe), you inspire others to do the same, and people like you make the world go ‘round.
Those of you who know this senior class well also know that most of its members have gone through some very difficult times. It is just not natural for any group of high school students to cope with the kinds of tragedies that we have faced. I would like to share part of an essay I wrote for Mr. Saunders in junior English following the passing of Anna Kipp and Hannah Tillman:
A part of Darlington has been lost with the deaths of our friends. But, the Darlington community’s core values of care and thoughtfulness have strengthened among us in the light of tragedy. It is our responsibility to carry on the memories of the dead by spreading these values that we hold dearly.
You know, each year when I see the graduation stage being built, I am sadly reminded that the year is coming to an end. But, standing on it now, my soul is uplifted by what I see. In front of me on the hill near the library are two trees growing in the memories of Clay McKemie and Sean Wilkinson. To my left overlooking the Cove is a statue celebrating the life of Erika Binns. To my right is the Morris Chapel, a gathering place and a house of worship, where yesterday a student of Darlington was given the Kipp-Tillman Memorial Award. How can I be sad when I know that those students still live on in our hearts and minds?
As a graduate of Darlington, I feel a great sense of empowerment. You know, truthfully, we are all extremely blessed to be here. The opportunity of Darlington is one that has been given to us. We, the soon-to-be alumni, are here for reasons largely out of our own control. With this opportunity comes many benefits and privileges but also great expectations and responsibility. Beyond these gates is a bigger, very different world – one of large problems and a sometimes harsh reality. As former Darlington President Jim Hendrix said to last year’s graduating class, it will be up to our generation to solve these problems – making health care affordable for all, trying to feed the world, implementing positive ways to interact with our global environment – all concerned with the general well-being of people. Whether you like it or not, every person sitting here will make an impact – in choosing your occupation, in promoting awareness for your ideals, in who you vote for to represent those ideals, yes and even in paying your taxes that hopefully go to promote programs of progress.
One of the most influential men of the 20th century, Mahatma Ghandi once said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” I believe Darlington has given us the tools we need to think for ourselves. You can make a world of difference by practicing those thoughts and living those beliefs in order to be that change that you desire.
Finally, I’d like to read you a poem that I heard in a sermon this past Christmas. It is called “The Paradoxical Commandments” by Dr. Kent Keith, and a version of this poem is written on the wall of Mother Teresa’s home in Calcutta where the Missionaries of Charity come to pray. I have kept a copy of this in my drawer to read whenever I feel that life is unfair.
People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.
If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.
The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.
People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.
People really need help but may attack you if you help them.
Help people anyway.
Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.
This is great advice to live by because it is helpful to everyone. I hope we all will strive to give the world our best because no one can expect more and should not expect less.
Last thing. I have something to say to a very special person. Mrs. Barnes, thank you for being my mother this year. All your fine, young men love you very much!
To the graduates of the Class of 2007, in the ever-enduring words of Dean Neville, you truly are the best under heaven. It has been an immense privilege to be here with you. I wish you all the greatest of luck in your future endeavors. Godspeed and God bless!
