Graduation Speech: What is Next? -- Graduation Speech, Commencement Ad

What is graduation? more or less people would sound out that its proof of the license we will soon experience. Some say that its the end of the high hat years of our lives. Some would say that its when were forced to grow up and become adults. Some would say that its just another day, no different than any other day, other than the scrolls, the funny outfits and the clapping. Some go into it silent, awaiting their chance to be recognized for their victory dance. Some use stupid comparisons to describe it by saying that its like the opening of a new door or that its like taking another measuring on the never-ending ladder of life. Some praise it, some dread it. Every unmatched has a different opinion, but theres one thing that we all agree on. Theres one question on the back of all our minds that we worry about every time we think about this night. And that question is Whats next? There are a thousand things that can be compared to graduation, and some of them may be pretty accur ate, but none of them can come close to the reality of what graduation rattling is. Graduation cant be described in words, other than its an event 12 years in the making. Weve waited 12 years, move than half our lives, to stand on a stage with a funny hat and robe, which if Id see someone walking down the street wearing Id throw something at them. But its just rightfully hard to think about. Twelve of our 18 years on this planet have been spend working towards this single night. From the building blocks in kindergarten, to kick and wallball in fourth and fifth grade. From standing in circles putting your arm around your girlfriends waist in seventh and eighth grades, to pulling an all-nighter in Abbots class in eleventh grade. It all prepares us. Now, the people I k... ...e questions thats on all of our minds What is next? Well, whats next is up to us. Its up to us to accomplish those goals we set for ourselves. Its up to us to decide whether well choose stagnation or generativit y. Its up to us to accept the reality of seriousness and the beauty that can be derived from it. And its up to us to regain these past 12 years and move on to bigger and better things while at the same time remembering the experiences weve had with our friends and family, because these times are the best years of our lives. Everything else is just a remix. These times are the foundation of our lives, and just like a house is built up from the foundation, our lives will be built up from these past 12 years. I just made a corny graduation analogy, but I dont care. The feelings in this room tonight cant be put into words, but they can be remembered.