And in conclusion… Will this be a “successful speech? Will I hit it out of the park? Will I bring my ‘A’ game?   What are the metrics of success? Do you get credit for sounding smart, by using terms like “metrics”? Will the quotes be pertinent or profound?  Will he use too much assonance or alliteration? Will the stories be personal and purposeful?  Will it be funny, clever, witty? Too long? Will it break the conventional rules of speech-writing, like starting with the words, “And in conclusion?” How many times will he say “Finally?” Finally, will it be self-congratulatory and all about himself?     

I would like to share a few words about myself.  Usually, there is a short biography written in a program, or the master of ceremonies throws some lavish praise in the direction of the esteemed speaker.  So, allow me to throw some praise my way…I was public schooled.  There was very little schooling going on in my home at all.  My freshman class had 400 students and there was an amazing opportunity to get lost in the crowd.  I saw that the yearbook voted superlatives for the Senior class.  As a freshman, I wondered, “What could I win?”  I knew I was not the best looking, best dressed, most athletic, intelligent, musical or most likely to succeed student.  I wasn’t the most anything, unless you count ‘most average,’ ‘most obnoxious,’ ‘most likely to come the closest to not graduating, but still graduate.” 

I was every Guidance Counselor’s worst nightmare.  I was the lost kid with the unfulfilled potential.

When I looked in the yearbook as a freshman—I found it: “This is what I can win!”  They actually had an award for “Did most for Attleboro High School.”  So, I embarked on a journey of participating in the life of the school.  I entered student government and got super involved.  Because of shameless politicking, each year I was elected to a higher office, until my senior year when I was elected President.  I was 1 of 2 students who counted the superlative votes my senior year.  The absolutely crazy part of this—I got votes for every category!  I’m not saying this to brag- I’m telling you my classmates didn’t really know me.  We didn’t really know each other.      

At the end of the day- with the votes all counted, though we were tempted to give superlatives to our friends who only lost by 1 or 2 votes (out of 200)—we didn’t.  We did the honorable thing—even though it meant some people won 3 awards, while others came really, really close but didn’t win 1.

Perhaps it was my home, public, and church schooling that taught me: integrity and honor matter.  That is the only metric of success.  The truest measure of success is when it counts—will you do the right thing? When the rubber meets the road—will you give up your sole? You graduated.  You commenced to your new day.  In your honor, I hope to leave you with a few words of wisdom. 

I could only remember a couple graduation speeches. Not even the speeches, but just the themes.  A Navy Admiral said, “Make your bed every morning.”  That sounded like good advice.  Another speaker told grads repeatedly at a super affluent high school, “You’re Not Special.”   

I did what any responsible speaker would do for a big commencement address… I Googled commencement addresses…I started to glean from some of the most significant graduation speeches of all time.  I was going to quote some of the best lines from top commencement speeches.  The writers had first names you may know…Oprah, Ellen, Winston, Jesus!

Then, there was Bono. (Fun fact: he went by, Bono Vox,however, his real name is Paul Hewson).

2 years of high school Latin and I know that Bono Vox, means “good voice.” 

I also know that Summa cum Laude means “wicked smaht.”  

I also know that Diutissime, means “for the longest time.”

They both have the same amount of syllables so you can actually sing, “Diutissime” to the tune of For the Longest Time by Billy Joel.  (You’re doing it right now, aren’t you?)

I started to look for the common thread in a brilliant commencement speech.  They all contain advice usually about overcoming failure, being true to yourself, and to not listen to naysayers.  The greatness of a speech is not determined by its actual length- it’s determined by how long you think it is.  If you are engaged—you will listen for 30 minutes.  If you are bored, then 3 minutes is enough.  

Every great speech has that one line, or one point that you can take with you.   Here is mine, which I have borrowed from the band Phish. “Whatever you do, take care of your shoes.” That’s right graduates- “Whatever you do, take care of your shoes.”

They may just be the most important piece of clothing or apparel you own.

Wherever you go in life- it is important to have the appropriate footwear. 

If you know that you are going to walk in the woods—don’t wear your heels. Hiking the Appalachian Trail in pumps- not recommended.  I still have the blisters and shin splints to prove it. If you know that you are going to a formal event—don’t wear your sneakers.  Sure, it might seem hip, but like anything hipster, it’s overdone.  It’s not unique if everyone is doing it.  If you are running a long-distance race—don’t wear your new sneakers for the first time. If you are working in an industrial environment—wear your slip-resistant, steel toes. If you are going to be on your feet all day—go for comfort. If you are working in the fields…actually I don’t know what you do…but I know this–Whatever you do, take care of your shoes.

Why? Because you need to take care of your feet! Your feet will take you places.  It is hard to go anywhere without your feet. Your feet will determine the direction you go.  Your feet will determine how long you can stand.  Your feet will hold you up. Your feet will give you balance. Your feet are the most amazing, divinely created, evolved thing you own.  You have got to take care of them.  Proper footwear is crucial.

Here’s the thing about taking care of your shoes…if you don’t, then things start to go bad.  If your shoes are getting worn in a spot, then your body begins to shift to compensate for the change.  It is often so subtle that you won’t even notice at first.  Eventually, and gradually, the shift becomes prominent and your whole body is out of whack.  You will need to see the chiropractor because your shoes are a little to worn out. If you haven’t figured it out, it’s a parable, a metaphor for life.  We need to be grounded.  We need to have our feet firmly planted.

Two true stories to make this point:

A few days before graduation, at Class Night, a student who was a member of the National Honor Society got up in front of his entire graduating class, the teachers and staff.  In an effort to be funny, he began a rant which included profane, disparaging remarks about certain students and faculty. 

The punishment:  The student was banned from wearing his National Honor Society stole at graduation. The student in question, a member of the national HONOR society, didn’t wear his stole- he borrowed his older brothers and wore his.     

The second story:  on a class sponsored trip, days before graduation, even though the kids were warned- some students decided to bring drugs on the trip.  The drugs were discovered and the students were barred from participating in Commencement. The resulting uproar, protest and backlash took away from the celebration of the milestone. 

Whatever you do, take care of your shoes.

How are these young people grounded?  They made bad decisions.  With light at the end of the tunnel and only a few days to go to celebrating the hard work of the past 13 years- they made poor choices.   Like choosing the wrong footwear- we are accountable.  If we make a poor choice- we are accountable.

We are all here today to honor students who have made some very good choices.  They are our honor students because they have done their very best to not only take care of their shoes, but to take care of the shoes of others as well.  

In our days ahead- as we rise to our feet and begin to go in the direction we have planned…Whatever you do, take care of your shoes. When the rubber sole meets the road—remember integrity and honor are the truest measure of our success.  Whatever you do, take care of your shoes and don’t give up your sole.    

Thank you and may God bless your journey!