My HS speech

Minus the ad libs-

Mrs. Messina and the Treble Choir indulged my request this year and sang “Let it go” at the spring concert.  For some reason when I watched the movie Frozen with my 10 year old daughter the song and theme of the movie really spoke to me.  Instead of adults seeing the gift in a child they quickly sought to hide her talent.  Princess Elsa was different- and as the lyric states she was directed to “conceal don’t feel”.  The death of her parents (BTW- you don’t want to be a parent in a Disney movie) left her without guidance and she grew up to believe she wasn’t gifted, rather she was cursed.  The song “Let it go” describes her coming out party- when her secret is finally revealed and the weight of the world is lifted off her shoulders.  Consider the lyrics, “it’s funny how some distance makes everything seem small and the fears that once controlled me can’t get to me at all.  It’s time to see what I can do. To test the limits and break through.  No right, no wrong, no rules for me. I’m free. Let it go”  Your graduation today is very much like princess Elsa’s coronation day; the day you all reveal yourselves to the world.  Who will the world see? We al have special talents and gifts. Don’t hide them- discover them.  Embrace and cultivate them.  Pursuing your passions will ultimately led to a happier life.

Little did I know that when my daughter asked me to watch a Disney movie with her it would seem so profound to me.  But I guess that is the beauty about the arts whether stage, film or music words and melodies all touch us differently.

I thought it would be interesting to make the theme of my speech this year on popular lyrics in the songs of 2013-14; that is until I listened and read the lyrics of over 50 songs!  I discovered there aren’t too many lyrics I want or care to repeat.  But I did find a few messages in the lyrics that were fitting for today.

For example I could hear some of your teacher’s saying- -what would I do without your smart mouth.  Drawing me in and you kicking me out. You’ve got my head spinning, no kidding, I can’t pin you down.  What’s going on in that beautiful mind, I’m on your magical mystery ride

I know some of your parents are hoping you aren’t saying…”here I stand and here I stay.”

But most of the lyrics I selected really offer advice-

• “Lately I been losing sleep. Dreaming about the things that we could be, but baby I been praying hard. Said no more counting dollars we’ll be counting stars.” One Republic reminds us to dream big!
• I used to bite my tongue and hold my breath. Scared to rock the boat and make a mess.  So I sat quietly, agreed politely. I guess that I forgot I had a choice. I let you push me past the breaking point. I stood for nothing, so I fell for everything.  Kati Perry reminds us to Believe in yourself! –
• We don’t have to worry about nothing cause we got the fire and we are burning one hell of something.  They gonna see us from outer space, light it up like we’re the stars of the human race. When the lights turned down they don’t know what they heard. Strike the match, play it loud, giving love to the world.  Ellie Goulding urges you to make a positive mark on the world
• now I’m not much of a poet but I know somebody once told me to seize the moment and don’t squander it cause you never know when it could be over- Marshall Mathers reminds us to live in the moment
• This is the time to remember cause it will not last forever.  These are the days to hold on to cause we won’t although we want to.  This is the time- but time is gonna change. Billy Joel reminds us to cherish great memories, but know there are many more to come.
• There is always going to be another mountain and I am always going to want to make it move. Always going to be an uphill battle sometime I am going to lose. Ain’t about how fast I get there, ain’t about what is waiting on the other side.  It’s the climb.  The Hannah Montana Miley Cyrus speaks about the importance of perseverance

Finally I think Natasha Bedingfield says it the best- “drench yourself in words unspoken. Live your life with arms wide open. Today is where your book begins. The rest is still unwritten.”

God bless all of you and may you find peace and happiness in all that you do.