S T U DE N T C OM M E NC E M E N T A DDR E S S
Our Privilege STUDENT COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS BY JOEL SERUGO '16 Polar Bear. Sorry just needed something to break the ice. This is generally the point where the speaker shares their preparation process for their speech, so I will too. Why break tradition? I was going to do what Elli Park did last year and read dozens of the speeches that came before hers; I didn’t want to steal her thing though. So instead, I carved my own path; I decided to listen to my classmates and hear what they wanted out of my speech. Eunbie and Jonathan said, “It’d better be funny.” No pressure there. Cecelia Sanborn just called me Mr. Commencement; catchy. Lydia McMahon said, and I quote, “You better not start it off with that Polar Bear line.” Ooops … sorry. She then followed that up with what was
truly shows how invested you are in our
great it would dwarf all commencement
futures and our studies. Being that I have
speeches that have come before. However,
the microphone, I get to extend a special
I forgot to write it down and it was lost
thank you to my mother, Eva Namboze.
forever. Oh well, onward and upward. So
good. I’m still jealous I didn’t think of that
Trust me when I say this lady has run the
then I sat down and thought, What should I
one, so thank you, Lydia. Harrison told me
gantlet. A few months after my birth she
talk about now? Do I have to be inspiring? Do
to make it funny and not too serious; he’s
spent months at a hospital after being one of
I have to change everyone’s life? Do I have to
going to be disappointed. All right, let’s get
the unfortunate victims of a terror attack.
give the class information that they didn’t have
like a car key and start this thing. By the
Regardless, she came back stronger and,
already? No, I decided that I couldn’t write
way, for those of you thinking of leaving to
after losing a husband, she moved by herself
with the intent to teach and amaze. I just
go get refreshments or use the restroom, I’d
to the States in hopes of being able to offer
have to write something I find relevant and
hold it; this one’s a life changer.
her family a better life. A few years later
appropriate to share and let everyone take
her four children joined her in this country,
from it what they please. Also, having to be
to my speech’s content, I’d like to take a
and look where I am now. When I needed
inspirational is extremely difficult; at some
moment to thank the parents. It’s because
to be straightened out as a young child,
point you start to sound like a Hallmark
of your efforts that we sit here today. I’d like
which was often, my mom would say, “I am
card. So what did I find important enough
to thank every parent, from the mothers of
your mother, your father, your auntie, your
to me to share with you today? Love and
all us, Dr. Talkin, Nancy Marcus, Mercedes
grandma, and your uncle.” I never really
appreciation for Cate School. Our common
Brennan, Tina Nettesheim and others, as
understood what she meant, but today I do.
factor. I’ll share with you two stories that
well as the fathers friendly to all, like Mr.
She is my everything. Thank you so much,
show why this place is so dear to me. There
Nettesheim, Mr. Marcus, Mr. Brennan and
Mom.
will be clichés. You’ve been warned.
perhaps the most helpful piece of advice I got through the entire process (once again I quote): “It better be good.” You know, until that point I hadn’t thought about making it
Before I give a formal introduction
many more; thank you all. I know every
And now for the intro. A few weeks
But first, another thank you before
parent has a responsibility to send their kids
ago, while talking to one of my classmates,
we jump in. This one is for the faculty of
to school, but sending your children to Cate
I got the idea for my speech. An idea so
Cate. Here at Cate, lessons transcend the W W W. CATE . O R G
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