David Hill, Grade 7 Math Teacher and Student Nominated Speaker
Grandparents, parents, friends, fellow educators, Class of 2024… congratulations!
I had the opportunity to teach all of you last year. Travel with you to DC. Coach many of you. Scuba dive with you. Or do advisory and A Little Help together. And - then - teach and coach a handful of you again this year. It's been my privilege.
I had the opportunity to teach all of you last year. Travel with you to DC. Coach many of you. Scuba dive with you. Or do advisory and A Little Help together. And - then - teach and coach a handful of you again this year. It's been my privilege.
And here we are. You made it! You persevered. You met your responsibilities. You adapted. You developed important relationships. You're about to graduate!
Thanks for inviting me to say a few words.
We could have a productive conversation about:
Following your passion
Pursuing justice
Surrounding yourself with inspiring people
Finding your purpose
Overcoming obstacles
Embracing diversity
Nurturing relationships
Connecting to your community
Staying curious
Changing the world!
These are all important ideas. And I hope you'll think deeply about these themes as you grow up. And do your part, personally and for the world around you.
But I have just three things I hope you'll consider as you prepare to leave Graland and move on to high school.
But I have just three things I hope you'll consider as you prepare to leave Graland and move on to high school.
I want to share these lessons that I learned - or actually internalized - as an adult. So, if you take even one of these things and give it some consideration for how to guide your priorities as a teenager, you'll have a good head start.
One is within yourself.
The second is between you and the people around you.
The third is directed outward.
Be True to Yourself
The teenage years can be tough - there's peer pressure and the constant temptation to try to be someone you're not. But here's the thing - being yourself is a real superpower. Oscar Wilde said, "Be yourself; everyone else is already taken." Don't be afraid to let your personality and unique gifts shine through. Stay true to your values and interests, especially if they're quirky or different. You kids who have the courage to embrace your authentic selves are the ones who end up being leaders. BE TRUE TO YOURSELF.
The teenage years can be tough - there's peer pressure and the constant temptation to try to be someone you're not. But here's the thing - being yourself is a real superpower. Oscar Wilde said, "Be yourself; everyone else is already taken." Don't be afraid to let your personality and unique gifts shine through. Stay true to your values and interests, especially if they're quirky or different. You kids who have the courage to embrace your authentic selves are the ones who end up being leaders. BE TRUE TO YOURSELF.
Live Up to Your Word
Being a person of integrity means doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. It's doing what you say you will do, telling the truth, owning your mistakes, and standing up for what you believe in. Martin Luther King Jr. said, "The time is always right to do what is right." In a world with so many pressures, it can be easy to compromise your principles. But no feeling beats being able to look at yourself in the mirror with an entirely clear conscience about your effort, your moral courage, and your own truth. Be a person of integrity in everything you do. LIVE UP TO YOUR WORD.
Being a person of integrity means doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. It's doing what you say you will do, telling the truth, owning your mistakes, and standing up for what you believe in. Martin Luther King Jr. said, "The time is always right to do what is right." In a world with so many pressures, it can be easy to compromise your principles. But no feeling beats being able to look at yourself in the mirror with an entirely clear conscience about your effort, your moral courage, and your own truth. Be a person of integrity in everything you do. LIVE UP TO YOUR WORD.
Be Respectful of Others
Finally, I want to talk about respect - for your peers, your parents, even your teachers. Really, for all people. Treat everyone with kindness, compassion, and an open mind. You never know what struggles someone else is going through, and the reality is that we're all facing hardships all the time. That's part of our human condition. Remember, to receive respect, you have to give it. As you go into high school and beyond, there will be ups and downs, triumphs and failures. But if you stay true to yourself, live up to your word, and treat others with respect, you'll be setting yourself up for success and fulfillment.
Finally, I want to talk about respect - for your peers, your parents, even your teachers. Really, for all people. Treat everyone with kindness, compassion, and an open mind. You never know what struggles someone else is going through, and the reality is that we're all facing hardships all the time. That's part of our human condition. Remember, to receive respect, you have to give it. As you go into high school and beyond, there will be ups and downs, triumphs and failures. But if you stay true to yourself, live up to your word, and treat others with respect, you'll be setting yourself up for success and fulfillment.
I love you guys. You've made a lasting impression on me. You've given me a great gift of your joy and energy. It's been an honor to take part in a little bit of your journey. We'll miss you, and we're excited to see the amazing things you accomplish and, more importantly, the people you become.
The world is yours, Class of 2024! Congratulations!
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
