May 24 was my last day of school. I’d turned in all of my last assignments the week before, and I thought I was finished. However, on Monday I was called to Mr. Lickliter’s office, and he told me that I was expected to give a speech at commencement. Okay, I thought. I may not have much experience with giving speeches, but how hard can it be?

Then people started giving me advice. Someone told me to be inspirational, but Mr. Lickliter said "no religion." Someone said my speech should be thought-provoking, but Mr. Lickliter said "no politics." Someone told me to keep it simple, while someone else told me to try to sound intelligent. Someone said to use humor, but someone told me not to because this is a "serious" occasion.

All of this good advice left me floundering. I suddenly had no idea what to say or how to say it. So rather than trying to speak of any grand ideals, I’m simply going to share some memories of my education.

As I look back on my four years at Butler High School, I find that what I remember most clearly is not anything I did or learned. My best memories are those of the people who have been involved in my education.

There are my parents, of course, nagging me to do my homework, driving me to and from all my activities, and still finding time to listen to me and give me advice when I needed it.

There are the members of my extended family, who often stepped in when my parents weren’t able to give me a ride or attend an event.

Then there are the teachers here at Butler who do so much more than teach. So many teachers make themselves available outside of school time, not only giving students extra help in their classes, but also advising clubs or coaching teams. I remember Mr. Wellbaum being at school by 6:30 every morning and staying until band practice was over at 5:00. I remember Mr. Mullholland going crazy with worry when the bus to an out-of-school Muse Machine performance was late. I remember how Mrs. Brown would talk with me during her lunch breaks about everything from Katharine Hepburn to the World Wide Web.

The people in this community also have been very supportive of our school. It’s incredible how many Vandalia businesses support the Aviator Aces program by providing discounts or prizes. Beau Townsend Ford donates a car every year as the grand prize for our After Prom. Senior citizens from the Vandalia Senior Citizens Center act as tutors and pen pals for the children in our school system.

And then there are the parents. The parents in this school system do so much for us, from being members of the P.T.A. to chaperoning buses on various trips. The Athletic Boosters and the Music Association provide money for uniforms and equipment for our sports teams and music groups. The parents who have formed the Auditorium Renovation Team have given an incredible amount of time and effort to help improve the auditorium: cleaning and repainting the dressing rooms backstage, removing broken seats, and providing us with what is already a much nicer place to perform.

So many people have done so much for us, and it is their generosity that I remember as I reflect on my years at Butler High School. The people of this community have helped me to understand, as I look toward the future, the importance of giving to others. As the class of 1999, each one of us has a responsibility to give back the many gifts that we have been given. We can do that by giving time to tutor a struggling student, visit a nursing home, or volunteer in a hospital. Or we can do it in smaller ways, like comforting someone who is hurting or bringing a smile to a frowning face.

But the best way that we can repay all of the kindness that has been shown to us is to go out into the world and become the best people we can be. We all have different goals, dreams, and plans, and we should strive to achieve those goals with all of our strength.

Once again, thank you to our parents, teachers, and members of our community--you've done so much for us. May each of us sitting here tonight strive to carry your example into the next generation.

Tonight will be the last time that all of us will be together as a class. So in closing, I would like to leave my fellow graduates with a traditional Irish Blessing:

May the road rise to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back

The sun shine warm upon your face,

The rain fall soft upon your fields,

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.