Remarks for SOAR Graduation - August 2, 2013
8/5/2013
1. Opening. At closing ceremonies, I can never resist the temptation to include additional counsel and reinforcement to what I hope you have learned at Riverside. Maxims for which I strongly believe include:
1) Bad things happen to people who do bad things. I promise you it is true and reinforced in the Holy Bible.
2) It is much more important to be respected than to be liked. “Yes” is an affirmative statement associated with being popular. No is a statement associated with being respected and represents moral courage. You will feel good inside when you say no.
3) There is no right way to do the wrong thing. Such thinking represents alibis and excuses, which are inconsistent with moral courage and self-respect.
4) Part of being good is looking good. Your grooming and dress make a difference in how you are viewed by others especially college counselors and employers.
5) Even when you don’t feel confident, act confident and be of courage when around strangers. Go to them with a firm handshake, eye contact, erect posture, and introduce yourselves. They will comment about your poise and maturity when you are gone.
2. Body. It has been a rapid four weeks. Most of you have experienced academic success, met new friends, and seen and experienced new things.
Some of you have experienced success who have not always been successful. Remember this, success and failure are rarely isolated episodes. More often than not, success and failure are reoccurring trajectories.
If you have a history of failure or non-success, I hope that SOAR has changed your trajectory.
Success, of course, is addictive, because it leads to affirmation, pride, self-esteem, and happy days. Affirmation is sometimes in the form of awards and medals, but mostly, it comes in complimentary words and respect from others. But a trajectory of consistent success comes at great cost in terms of effort and commitment. That is why many never achieve success at or near that God-given ability.
Some of you have achieved success in some corner of your lives be it athletics, video games, or friendships. Affirmation and warm feelings are associated with those successes.
But they are not the key to the gate of opportunity in America. That key is earned through success in the classroom, exercise of the mind, developing good daily habits, and being a man of your word.
Those human characteristics come to you through a structured daily regimen, the presence of positive role models and moral anchors in your lives, responsibility, and the opportunity to learn how to lead and how to follow.
Those acquired skills and characteristics are at Riverside, and they virtually assure success, happiness, and proud parents.
In some cases, parents will allow you to decide about Riverside. It is the harder road, but the most fulfilling journey. I hope you have the courage to choose the harder road. Those of you who will return as ROCs, have no fear of the ROC cycle. You are so far ahead of the other 160 or so new ROCs that you will be teaching and helping them be successful.
Your faculty and staff have enjoyed teaching and mentoring you for 4 weeks. We look for you and your parents to make the right decision for your future. The key to the gate of opportunity is right here.
God bless and Semper Fidelis