Welcome to Commencement for the class of 2004. Tonight we want to recognize 486 young men and young women for their achievements. I want to welcome our special guests, friends, family, parents, and grandparents to this celebration of achievement. Thank you for spending this special evening with us.

I would like to take a minute to brag on the young men and women of this class. Four years ago when this class began their high school career as anxious and excited freshmen, I challenged you to make a positive impression on our community, and that you have done. You were challenged to become leaders of our community and our school, and that you have done. On the athletic fields, in academic competitions, presentations and celebrations, you have excelled to set new standards for the classes that follow. Time and time again, members of our community and visitors to our community have complimented you in the manner in which you conduct yourselves.

To the graduates of 2004, what a year. Through your participation and leadership, you have put LPHS out front and demanded respect from all those you compete against, no matter what the venue. On behalf of the staff, we are very proud of you.

This ceremony is the culmination of years of hard work and study. It is the end of one phase of your life, and the beginning of the next, life after high school. You have touched our lives. I sincerely hope that, in some small way, we have touched yours. The graduates of 2004 have led the way and have been positive role models for the students that soon follow in your footsteps. Through your interactions with our community, through your community service, and through your commitment to your education, you have helped to make La Porte and La Porte High School a better place to live and work. We are all better people because of you. For that I thank you and know that I am proud of you.

Now you are faced with new challenges. You’ve come to a path in your life in which you have to make decisions that will forever impact your future. Think carefully upon those choices. I challenge you to aim high in whatever you choose to do with your life. Never settle for second best. Become role models for the next generation of our youth. Our society needs you to continue setting good examples. To set examples of honesty, integrity, perseverance, compassion, and kindness. This is the challenge I give to you.

Through the years you have had to listen to my words of wisdom on a daily basis. I just happen to have a few final words of wisdom for you tonight.

First, accept that some days you’re a pigeon, and some days you’re the statue.

Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.

Drive carefully. It’s not only cars that are recalled by their maker.

Eat a live toad in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you for the rest of the day.

It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.

Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because you don’t have a leg to stand on.

Nobody cares if you can’t dance well. Just get up and dance.

The early worm gets eaten by the bird, so sleep late.

When everything’s coming your way, you’re in the wrong lane.

You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.

We could all learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors, but they all have to learn to live in the same box.

Happiness comes through doors you didn’t even know you left open.

And finally, don’t cry because it’s over; smile because it happened.

To the graduates of 2004, it has been an honor and a privilege to be associated with you. Take care of yourself and keep in touch. Congratulations, good luck, and may God bless everyone of you. Oh, I almost forgot, make it a great life, or not… the choice is yours.