Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
[ Sound Effects ]
>> I want to work hard.
And I want to do every job that I'm on the best that I can,
the best of my ability.
My name is Garrett Book.
I'm from Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
I'm an ornamental horticulture major
at Penn College and I love it.
[ Sound Effects ]
>> I love working with my hands and I have
to get my hands dirty.
[ Sound Effects ]
>> I need to work outside.
I learned that about myself before I came to Penn College
that hard work keeps me grounded.
Ornamental horticulture is a relatively broad field.
It's landscaping, it's floral design,
it's greenhouse production, nursery production.
Specifically, I am interested in the landscape design aspect
of ornamental horticulture.
Landscaping for me,
it re-energizes me more than anything.
A good night's sleep doesn't quite compare
to a hard day at landscaping.
As we come into the end of the semester here, my fourth
and final semester at Penn College,
you realize that your classes have been transformed
from lecture in the classroom
to working almost full time everyday putting
in five days a week, eight hours a day
and it's not lecture anymore.
[ Sound Effects ]
>> It's a pretty big project that we have
that will involve making a walkway through this area
and the center piece is an abstract art,
a welded sheet metal surrounded by two sitting walls.
It's a lot of fun to be a part of and I think,
of all my classes, this one gives you the most
real-life experience.
[ Sound Effects ]
>> And I've got to say that every experience here
at Penn College has been a terrific learning experience.
[ Sound Effects ]
>> Terrified of heights.
[ Sound Effects ]
>> I like landscaping.
Landscape design is a very dynamic practice and that can be
from standing at a landscape and looking around,
but it can also be at a desk inside using your imagination
above all else.
You have to be able to imagine what the finished landscape will
look like before a single, a hole is dug.
[ Sound Effects ]
>> I've enjoyed here at Penn College the friendship
with fellow students.
You meet people who have the same interests
and the same passions as you.
Before I came to Penn College I didn't know anyone under 50
that was interested in gardening and plants.
Here when you can share that passion with someone your age,
it's a unique culture.
It's very different.
Grateful is an understatement for how I will feel
and how I do feel about my education here at Penn College.
Years down the road, I will undoubtedly look back
and recognize, I think probably better than I do now,
how significant my time here has been to my career.
I can't express how proud I am to be part of this class,
to have met and worked with you, the inspirational students
and the devoted faculty, and I am humbled to speak
as a representative of this class in the company
of such tremendous individuals.
It's truly an honor.
So, be proud of yourselves,
every one of you, you deserve it.
Congratulations.
[ Applause ]