Graduation Address

Promises Made: Promises Kept
A Graduation Address for the School for Integrated Academics and Technologies Charter School
6/23/2005

Thank you Mrs. (Kelly) Callahan, Members of the Faculty and Staff, Families, Friends, and most of all SIA Tech Graduates:

Congratulations to each and every one of you!  You have made extraordinary efforts to complete your program here at SIA Tech so it is a great pleasure to have the honor of help you celebrate your fantastic achievement.  I think you are very special people and I want to tell you why.

First, you are among the first graduates of charter high schools in New Mexico, and in particular graduates of a school focused on real learning for real life.  Not seat time in the traditional classroom.  Not the “ra ra sis cume ba” of the football fields.   But an individualized curriculum that teaches academic content through computer and office skills for the 21st century—skills that many of your elders do not have—and which will give you a good start in today's global economy. 

The second thing that makes you special is that you are developing what Rev. William Sloan Coffin called, “ a passion for the possible.”  More than many adults—you know that the world's a hard place and life's a tough act.  That some people are dealt a bad hand from the start and others make mistakes and spend years paying for them.  But in spite of that, you know that it is possible to set a direction and follow it, that it is possible to overcome bad choices, triumph over economics and turn a new page in your life.  And you know that it is possible to make a promise to yourself and keep it. 

Promises Made, Promises Kept, as some would sum it up.     But this is just the beginning, not the end of your quest.  And remember what Eleanor Roosevelt-- that first lady from long ago and far away—said.  “The future belongs to those who hold fast to their dreams—and don't give up!”  Si Quieres, puedes—if you want to, you can.  Nothing can stop you-- except you.  And sometimes when you most feel like a loser, there are great things ahead.

I always remember the story of one politician in the 1800s who everyone thought was a looser.
In 1831 he failed in business
In 1832 he was defeated when he ran for the legislature
In 1833 he went bankrupt in his second business
In 1836 he suffered a nervous breakdown
In 1838 he was defeated for Speaker
In 1840 he was defeated for another political office, Elector
In 1843 he was defeated for Congress
In 1848 He was defeated for Congress again
In 1855 he was defeated for the Senate…

But in 1860 this persistent man was elected President of the United States.

His name was Abraham Lincoln, and he is regarded by both historians and the American people as the greatest President this country has ever had. 

And speaking of succeeding against all odds, do you suppose Yogi Berra had SIA Tech in mind when he said,  “People said it couldn't be done.  But sometimes it doesn't always work out that way.”

Well graduates, for you it is working out…. and I hope that this is just the beginning of a process of lifelong learning that will nourish you for many years. And, perhaps here at SIATECH you've beginning to discover the secret of lifelong learning…. That working and learning are more powerful, more exciting, and more satisfying when they are combined.

So, in closing, I urge you to continue to keep your promises, develop a passion for the possible and hold fast to your dreams, as Eleanor Roosevelt said.  I hope you have learned here that there are people all around who want to help—your parents, your grandparents, your teachers and people out here in the neighborhood and community who care about your success as well.

Again, graduates, congratulations on this day of commencement.