It is my sincere desire to encourage you to vigorously continue your educational experience. You are now high-school graduates, but this is not a means to an end. Indeed, life for you has just begun. The clock has just began ticking. You have the power to be whatever and whoever you desire to be. Never allow anyone to discredit your dreams, goals or aspirations. You were created individually for an individual purpose and mission. No one can beat you at being you.
You were divinely created for success. Let me say that again, you were divinely created for success. I want you to realize that the day you put on that cap and gown, the day you marched down the aisle, the day you moved your tassel from right to left, was the officially start of a new chapter for you. It is always good to reflect on where you came from, as long as it doesn’t cause you to lose sight of where you are going. Destiny awaits but not forever. You must be prepared to grab life by the horns and steer it in the direction you want it to go. The only way that will happen is with a good education.
For those who are still undecided about college, I encourage you to strongly consider it. I am not saying this to you as one with a doctorate degree, I am saying this to you as a man who was once a young and very stubborn student. A young man who didn’t take college as serious as he should have. A man who had to endure a most difficult life as a result of his decisions. My mistakes do not have to be your mistakes. You have a chance to excel. You have a chance to grow. You have a chance to chart the course for the rest of your life so that it turns out to be the best years of your life.
Students, I want you to understand the enormous opportunity that is before you now. You have the keys to succeed, I beg you, please do not let those keys slip away from your hands. Get a strong grasp on those keys and use them to make your life grand and complete. As always, I wish you nothing less than the best in all your endeavors.