This is the salutatory speech delivered by Whitley Boyd in the virtual Rockdale High School graduation Friday:
“Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes, but when you look back, everything is different.” Four years ago, I quoted novelist, C.S. Lewis during eighth grade promotion. Obviously at the time I thought it held so much truth, yet who knew how relatable that statement would become.
High school changes you. I believe that is the greatest challenge of all. We were all given a blank canvas freshman year, the pictures we drew, the young adults we became, scarily, that was all up to us. I remember always being told: “Your large friend group won’t last; you won’t all play every sport like you did in junior high.”
I thought I knew for sure they were wrong about my class. We were all so close, what would ever separate us? They weren’t wrong. I entered this school with “best friends” that I now haven’t talked to in a year. I know this is a part of how we chose to decorate our canvas; I realize this is a part of growing up, but let’s be honest, looking back, it doesn’t make any of it hurt less. If you were ever in my life, no matter where our relationship stands today, I thank you for being you, it helped shape me into who I’ve become.
Thank you to all the teachers that pushed me. I’ve learned so much, (entirely way too much math) but of course, it is so much easier to be appreciative looking back. Each and every one of you were a stepping stone to the next chapter of my life. To the coaches who put up with
To the coaches who put up with me year after year, you mean the world to me. Soccer, powerlifting, golf, because of you, these are way more than just sports to me. Your guidance and support left me with so many great memories.
Sadly, my golf season was cut short this year, and just as many of you are missing your final season, I know firsthand it’s a pain that can’t be taken away, so I’m not going to try. But I encourage you to try to find the good in these unimaginable circumstances.
This is the first time in a long time and probably the last time in a long time, we will ever have so much free time on our hands. We can’t change the situation so we might as well be grateful for the slowness. No running off to practice, no stressing over schoolwork. We are about to enter the real world; so, don’t take this gift of time for granted. Embrace it and appreciate it.
I am Second. If anyone listening to this speech had the initial thought of, “yes, you are, salutatorian,” then I ask you to listen extra closely. I am second because I am blessed to get to call my God first. I get to worship Him daily, no matter what that looks like prayer, worship music, reading the Bible.
I get to praise Him every day in hopes of pointing someone else to Him. You think you’re cool? You like the world here? Well, let me tell you, my God is out of this world, and if that means I’m second, I can’t surrender quick enough.
I was asked what I believed to be my biggest accomplishment. I told the judges that I had been at the top of my class for the past three years. They began to congratulate me, and then I said, “but my biggest accomplishment was realizing that I am so much more than 1 or 2 or 47. I’m Whitley Boyd, and you can’t put a number on that.”
I am so much more than a ranking; that realization, is by far my biggest accomplishment. See, so many times I could have given in, let myself be driven by something that was so little in the big picture. But I chose not to.
Looking back to the wide-eyed 15-year-old who was beyond ready to grow up, you did it. Graduation is here. We were born into a world affected by 9-11, and now on the brink of adulthood, we are again being affected, this time by a virus.
We continue to make history; now it’s our time to go forth and make our world the best it can be.
Rockdale High School, you have taught me to believe in myself and chase my wildest dreams, which I plan on doing to the fullest. Thank you.
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