What it Means to Have Honor
By Walker Sirmans '23 - '23
Good morning, my name is Walker Sirmans. I would like to thank my teachers and Mrs. Jones for the opportunity to speak today. I was asked to speak about honor.
Everyday at Darlington we say the mission statement, “I will learn with passion, act with integrity, and serve with respect.” We say this because our Honor Code is “Honor Above Everything.” To me, honor is respecting others, telling the truth, playing fair and being able to choose between right and wrong.
My family has taught me about honor.
My parents have taught me to tell the truth even when I might get in trouble. My mom and dad have taught me to help others because it is the right thing to do, and to always stand up for my friends. They have taught me to show respect to adults and to obey the rules. My parents expect me to honor myself by making good decisions and choices even when others do not.
My brother, Knox, has taught me how to be polite and respectful to someone even if we disagree.
My sister, Ivey, has taught me to not make fun of people even if they look different. She has also taught me that no matter what the differences are, we are all pretty much the same.
When I started thinking about the topic and what honor means, I realized that sometimes choosing honor can be hard to do.
That is why our parents and our teachers want us to know what it means to have honor.
Honor requires knowing the difference between right and wrong and having the courage to do what is right. Honor means respecting others, in spite of our differences. Honor is always telling the truth, no matter the consequences.
Showing honor to others is not something we should do to get attention or to be rewarded.
Honor is the small things we do everyday for others and ourselves that shows integrity and respect when no one is looking.
Thank you for this opportunity and I hope everyone has a great school year.
Click here to see photos from Convocation 2015.