Your parents have taken the last eighteen years of their lives feeding, clothing, and protecting you. They were paid in return with your laughter, learning, and insight. They've been paid with pride and with entertainment in seeing you perform your best efforts around the home, in the classroom, exhibited on walls, on the stage or athletic fields, at your place of work.... They are being paid right now, witnessing the culmination of your success here today.

Look at the faces of those around you. Your friends have taken several years of their lives comforting, growing, and playing with you. They were paid in return with your caring, consideration, daring, and sense of fun. The promises they've made with you have determined your values. The promises you've kept with them have determined your worth.

For ninety minutes a day I gave my lessons, opinions, things and events important to me. In return, I was paid with your kindness, generosity, and your best efforts. The things shared between us, both in and outside of my classroom, have been more important to me than you will ever know. I have to admit I feel a great degree of sadness and of loss in knowing that you will all go on to bigger and better things. If I've touched any of you in the ways you have me, then we were each paid well for our work.