Bummy
Study came out last year.. American 4th-graders are the 3rd-smartest in the world in math & science. Last year: 8th-graders were low on the list. More PhD’s than any other country. We chew more bubble gum than any other country. Two pounds person a year. Our toilet paper was rated the best by a group of international travel writers… But what about leaders? What makes a leader? If any of you plan to be followers for the rest of your life, then make paper airplanes out of your programs or something for the next few minutes. I want to talk to those who want to lead.
This diploma you’re about to get….this education… is like a bunch of bananas. They’re good, but if you put them away in a drawer and don't use them, they’ll just stink and draw flies.
How are you going to use what you have? A few tips:
- Get your mind off yourself and help somebody else.
God has given you gifts and talents. They’re wasted if you keep them to yourself. It’s hard to be a teenager and not spend most of the day thinking about yourself, but try. Please give it a shot. Becky Easley...funerals.
- Loosen up. Anyone who’s been to school as long as you, needs a break. Ease up. Take a break. Jeff W....free spirit...robbed Church lady Roger Ebert....
Don’t take yourself too seriously. If you’ll look around, you’ll notice that no one else is.
Go barefoot more often eat nothing but ice cream for an entire day tomorrow: wear underwear backwards Mc Donnalds...”Have a Nice Day!:” Why? Biggest grouch you know “I just want you to know that I feel great!”
Loosen up. I teach teenagers. A very serious bunch. Always posing. Always concerned about how they’re looking.
You can’t use your gifts if you’re always thinking about yourself.
J’ville girl: CFS>
Want to know your parents anxieties? Look in Mom’s purse. Dad’s billfold. Me: draft card. Comb.
- Constantly ask yourself...Who am I trying to please? Teachers? Mom and Dad? Myself? My friends?
Hiney the Mule.
- Out of everything in your life, put people first.
Every day you see people who are hurting, who need help. Who could use a hug, a pat on the back, a compliment. Get to know them...in this crowd tonight...people with a lot in common... Poll: Who........Used to take one large step into bed Covered up all but a breathing hole. Has ever faked being sick How many mothers made sure that your graduates are even wearing their best underwear tonight? Really? What did you expect them to do? The whole world is very much like you. Treat it like you would yourself. It’s as confused and excited and guilty and lonely and wanting to be loved just as much as you.
You’ve been given wonderful gifts... Intelligence, a great school, people who love you. Being smart and working hard is just the first step. It’s what you do with it that makes a difference to me....
Our school has lived in some fear for the last month.. yours has too.. But you know what? The chance of some nut with a gun doesn’t scare me much tonight.. The thing I fear is a world without leaders. The terror scare will eventually go away. The need for leaders will not.
When you go to bed at night, count the number of people you’ve made happy. The money you earn will rot away. Your new car will rust. The house you live in now will be gone some day. But the people you help, the people you make happy, the people whose lives you change by making them better...That will last forever.
Last summer I ran a youth camp. When one got thirsty, they all got thirsty. When one decided to perform, they all followed. One girl got up to go to the bathroom in the middle of a performance and we had to hold the show as twelve others suddenly got the urge.
The world has plenty of followers. What we need are leaders. What we need is you. And let me give you a tip.. It’s a lot more fun to lead!