Tag: graduation

Posted on in environment, family, inspiration, parenting, poetry, Technology and social media

If I were Oprah Winfrey–my speech to the graduating class of 2026

Trent University Environmental Sciences graduates with their professor

Friday was a special day. I attended the convocation ceremony at Trent University in Peterborough for my daughter Grace who graduated with a BHSC in Environmental Resource Science.

It was a lovely ceremony and like every parent who sat in that gymnasium, we were so very, very proud of our daughter.

It made me think of a blog post I wrote five years ago when both my girls were graduating (elementary school and high school) during the height of COVID.

So much has changed in the past five years. The world is a scarier place. And in some ways, our children seem less equipped to solve its problems.

It made me wonder, what would be my message to this year’s graduating class if I was a big celebrity like Oprah Winfrey? I think my speech would go something like this.

Don’t be afraid
of who you are and who you aren’t
or not knowing who you will become
nobody has it figured out
even the people who look like they have it all figured out
(especially the people who look like they have it all figured out)
be happy with who you are today

Don’t be afraid
to laugh or cry
protest or mourn
to shout wantonly from the rooftops
or dance wildly in the streets
never stand idly on the sidelines
when you can be exulting in the moment

Don’t be afraid
to put away your phone
and look directly in someone’s eyes
to connect on a deeper level
and seek love, trust, compassion
it is, after all, the essence of being human
and the future of humanity

Don’t be afraid
to take chances and risks
to accept or ignore people’s advice
only you know what’s best for you
everyone else is just a spectator in your life
cheering you on from the stands
forge your own path in life

Don’t be afraid
of that niggling voice in your head
planting seeds of doubt
convince that voice
you are capable, prepared
and even if you fail, you will be okay
climb that peak

Don’t be afraid
to talk to your parents from time to time
we’ve watched you grow and falter
succeed and stumble
and reach heights we never imagined
you may not need us any more
but we need you

Don’t be afraid
of the world and its problems
in all its vastness and complexity
love and hatred
beauty and darkness
there is still good in this world
you may just need to work a little harder to find it

Don’t be afraid.

Read more

If I were Oprah Winfrey: my commencement speech to the graduating class of 2020—The Next Act

Two new Trent grads standing in front of an alumni sign in their gowns
Posted on in Uncategorized

Write your own valedictory speech

Girl in grad dress with her grandfather
Grace with her grandfather at her graduation

A couple of weeks ago, I had the honour of hearing Grace deliver the valedictory address at her grade 8 graduation. I am so proud of the beautiful, smart funny person she has become. But I was especially proud because of what she shared that night and how brave she was.

Her words were insightful. She reflected on her classmate’s accomplishments, and spoke with hope and optimism about the future. I think we all need to take a moment for this kind of reflection especially at important milestones in our lives.

This week’s #HappyAct is to write your own valedictory address. Reflect on your accomplishments and look ahead and envision your future. Here’s Grace’s speech.

“Ladies and gentleman, fellow students. At this school, we come here for one reason and one reason only, and that is to learn. I have been at Prince Charles since I was in Junior Kindergarten and I’ve had my ups and downs, but overall, this school has helped me to find myself as well as my future.

Every person in this world is smart, whether it is sports, academics or leadership. Every person in this world is smart no matter how you describe it and I’m sure all the parents of the graduates are proud of what they have accomplished in life as a student as well as a person.

Tonight we are celebrating the first chapter in every graduate’s life. On our first day of high school next year we will be starting a new chapter, a new journey and a new way of life. I would just like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who has made our first chapter incredible—parents, teachers, family, friends, principals, vice-principals and many more.

We have created so many memories in the first chapter. The one memory I’ll never forget is coming second in the girls basketball tournament a few years back. Even though we lost in the finals, we still worked together as a team and we had such a great day.

I can still remember when some of the graduates didn’t know how to tie their shoes and now they are maturing into adults. Even this year as a class, we have created so many memories, such as playing a good game of Dr. Dodgeball in class, our year-end field trip to Canada’s Wonderland or the St. Lawrence Cooking program that we participated in earlier this year. These are all memories that we will never forget.

We all have challenges that we need to face in life, but when we do face them, it makes us stronger, better people. When I was three, I was diagnosed with autism and I had a lot of trouble making friends when I was younger, but I dealt with it because we have to face our challenges in life.

Life is a path and we have to choose our own way. May you always choose the right path. Thank you.”

Copyright Grace Swinton 2016