Graduation Speech That Never Was

Our class is impossible to sum up in two minutes. Rather than trying to do the impossible, I will instead share with you the one thing that has most inspired me: You. All of you.

My past four years have been a privilege because I was lucky enough to spend them as a member of the Class of 2012. You all have managed to do two things that seem contradictory: celebrate the individual and sustain community.

We have band members who play football and soccer players who do drama. Someone who in the same year can go to states in both cross-country and Science Olympiad isn’t unusual. We live outside ordinary boxes. Never once have I been made to feel out of place because I did something different or out of the ordinary. We respect and we celebrate everyone in our class for who they are as individuals.

At the same time we bring ourselves together to create an amazing community. There is a sense of united purpose everywhere you go at Haverford that is both inspiring and humbling.

As we move into a world at once growing more connected and more diverse, our ability to celebrate the individual and embrace the community will serve us well. No matter where life takes us we will be able to value the people we encounter for who they are while at the same time working for something greater than ourselves. We are well poised to take William Arthur Ward’s advice, “Do more than care: help. Do more than dream: work. Do more than belong: participate.”

Thank you. And Congratulations Class of 2012!!!