Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
I am now proud to introduce Ian Tang, giving his speech entitled "United."
First I'd like to thank Mrs. Campbell. Her speech is going to make me cry pretty much.
Anyways, thank you Soraya, Principal Milbrandt, distinguished guests, friends, family and
fellow graduates.
Today we have reached our destination. But more important than any destination, is the
journey itself, and the lessons it has taught you.
Now, I know a lot of you have assumed that I will talk about Google, a conclusion you
probably drew from my apparently obvious love for the company. I really do believe that
their technologies and values will make the world a better place.
And though this speech isn't about Google, the company—in an indirect way—helped
me realize how we can make the world a better place. I remember the day when one of my best
Apple-loving friends from high school pasted two Apple stickers on my car. I simply placed
a Google sticker right back on, with the two Apple logos as the Google's o's. I didn't
know it then, but looking back now makes me realize how this was just one of the many
examples of how we, as Desert Mountain students, are able to be accepting, respectful, and
above all, united, though we each have distinct beliefs.
Likewise, on our very first day of high school, we all gathered in the morning, wondering
what our next four years would be like. And from there, our paths could not have been
any more different. We each pursued what we loved and wanted. AP. Art. Basketball. Football.
IB. Karate. Swim. Theater. Track and Field. This diversity, the different stickers we
each had, made us all unique as an individual, but in a way, all united.
United in the fact that we all strived to be our best. United in the way that we all
tried to make Desert Mountain, the community and the world a better place. United in the
ability for us to stand back up after we were knocked down, whether it was from a bad test
individually, a bad game as a team or a tragedy as a school. United in the
sense that we all came together to encourage each other to stand out at the passions we
simply excelled at.
We pushed each other to improve and be better people. We found who we really were, especially
when we were lost. And we really made character count.
As the Class of 2013, each of us, in our own little ways, tried to change the world as
we saw necessary. A lot of people just accept the reality of the world with which they are
presented. Instead, we were bold. We questioned both the immoral and the impossible. We stood
up for what we believed in. And we never let anyone stop us from chasing our dreams.
So today, from one beginning's end, is yet another beginning. Another uniting point where
we wonder what's next, and how we diverge from here. A continuation of each of our journeys.
Another opportunity for us to once again be true to ourselves, and to remind a world that
has forgotten how to live as a community. To make more change in the world. To act like
men. To reach for the stars. To be guided by our integrity, morals, principles and values.
And to gather our rosebuds, while we may.
Whatever journey you embark on next, cherish it. Enjoy it. Because there's no right path
to your destination, as long as you're loving every moment of it and believing in the work
you are doing. But also, do not forget where you come from, all those who helped you, and
the lessons of the first leg of the journey.
Thank you. Congratulations. Good luck!