Dear graduates, please understand that the future belongs to those who see possibilities before they become obvious. Your pan soloist and your singer understand that you were born to pursue excellence, to go where no one else has gone before, to break records, to sparkle like fireworks. I appreciate your theme song, particularly the verse that speaks about moving from the hurricane to a rainbow. Do not allow anyone to discourage you, to destroy your self-worth, to set your agenda. You must have fantastic faith in God because He alone can turn your scars into stars, your sadness into satisfaction, your obstacles into opportunities, your crisis into control. Let us examine a couple verses of your theme song: "Do you ever feel like a plastic bag, drifting through the wind, wanting to start again? Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin like a house of cards, one blow from caving in? "Do you ever feel already buried deep, six feet under screams, but no one seems to hear a thing? Do you know that there's still a chance for you cause there's a spark in you?" You are no pack of cards, you have emerged successfully from your sojourn at this noble and illustrious school. Perhaps, more than ever you recognise that the journey of a 1,000 miles begins with the first step. Treat this as the first step, but also as the first significant step. There will be more storms to navigate, more mountains to climb, more disappointments.
Remember those who helped you to reach this point and remember those who wanted you to reach the point of no return. You have one daunting task in life, you have to distinguish your friends from your enemies. Your friends will lift you up, correct you when you are indulging in wrong, help you when you are grieving and push you to maximising your potential. Your enemies will seek to squeeze you into their mould, deceive you, and make every effort to ensure that you are a victim of misinformation and glitter. But recall that all that glitters is not gold. The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is the word extra-extra effort, extra perspiration, extra patience, extra determination, extra study, extra passion, extra faith in God. Many youth have exposed a romantic addiction to mediocrity, almost like if it is a sin to embrace decency and success. Do not settle for silver and bronze, when you can achieve gold. If you were not born with a golden spoon, get a wooden one and paint it gold. Ben Carson grew up in Obama country, Chicago, and experienced grief and disappointment. His father left after a stormy relationship with his mother Sonya. However, she had a profound faith in God. Imagine he came last in 5th grade, got a zero in mathematics, and yet today is an internationally acclaimed pediatric neu- rosurgeon. After his complex array of hurricanes came the rainbow.
Do not get the idea that there is an instant change in fortune and circumstances. You have to work hard, experience beads of perspiration, but through the hard rock of discouragement, eventually, you will reach the finish line. The race is not for the swift, but those who endure unto the end. Do not admire those who are rude and crude, there is nothing special about them. They have a low self-esteem and would like to lead you into the gutter. You have to resist their temptations by taking the high road. This would include love and respect for your parents and those who are in authority. I have a special word for young men who have a single parent. Generally, single parents are mothers who have to struggle to put bread on the table. Some young men have an attitude of ingratitude. They admire false heroes who are crocodilian vam- pires, gangsters who will have an early appointment with the undertaker. Young men, if your fathers have deserted you, and your mothers are struggling with you, do not take advantage of them. I have three pieces of advice for you: love your mother, love your mother, love your mother. Please remember that the future belongs to those who see possibilities, long before they become obvious. Your talented musicians, Makesi Albino and Chloe Bishop, understand this statement. Your amazing principal, Angela R Lalla, gave a thrilling report and she understands that to be a success you must have faith in God and a commitment to excellence.
Eagle action requires eagle vision. Therefore, I am recommending the bald eagle. Bald eagles can fly to an altitude of 10,000 feet and achieve speeds of 35 mph. They can locate a six-inch fish from 10,000 feet in the sky. They believe in saving energy. They practise soaring, using thermals-rising currents of warm air. John Wyatt believes in eagle thinking and vision. He has invented the bionic eyeball which would enable the blind to see. It consists of a camera relaying images wirelessly to a microchip in the eyeball, which would send pictures along the optic nerve to the optic centre of the brain. You have chosen the theme, "You Are A Firework." Let us focus on the words of the third verse: "You don't have to feel like a wasted space, you're original and cannot be replaced. If you only knew what the future holds, after a hurricane comes the rainbow." A hurricane represents challenges, superstorms, crises, grief and disappointments. But remember that no storm or hurricane lasts forever-after sunset comes the sunrise. While a hurricane represents depressing moments, the rainbow represents hope, satisfaction, a solution to a nagging problem. Helen Keller knew that after a hurricane comes the rainbow. She was blind and deaf at the age of five, but still went on to become a university graduate. Serena Young was born a quadriplegic, but this crippled girl surprised the world and became a medical professional.
Perhaps, now is the best time to quote Helen Keller: "The greatest blindness comes to people with perfect eyes but no vision." Allow me to give you some advice. Don't be anxious to lose your innocence. Have an attitude of gratitude. Recall how to smile. Do not be distracted. Learn from the errors of celebrities like Tiger Woods. He was the golfing guru until he was distracted by approximately 10 ladies-one for each commandment. Therefore, you must resist distractions, maintain an eagle focus. Beware of peer pressure. You were destined to be somebody great. Hold on when the pressures of life descend upon you. You can do mathematics, chemistry and physics, but you don't believe that you possess the ability. Therefore, you are getting a C- when you have the talent to get an A+. Obey God and have a passion for excellence.