Page 50 - 2001

46...GrabuatioJ1 CeremoMies
Valedictory Address
Despite his lack ofhair, an inspiring teacher ofmine discussed an interesting topic offate and choice not too long ago. I don't think much of fate, a planned d~stiny that one follows through life. I vj'ew life as a variety of choices in which one has the opportunity to do anything that is desired. When one turns desires into actions, a path has been created, not followed. As individuals, we choose the direction that we want to go, similar perhaps to others, but never the same. Peers, be proud of your choices, because those choices have enabled you to accomplish a great goal tonight..... becoming a graduate of Collingwood Collegiate Institute. We have all journeyed through high school together, you did it your way and I did it my way.
The words of Frank Sinatra seem relevant @ a time like this.
I've loved, I've laughed and cried I' ve had my fill, my share of losing And now, as tears subside
l fmd it all, so amusing
To think, I did all that
And may I say, not in a shy way Oh no, Oh no not me
I did it my way
Well, Frank is able to sum up his views of the past with a few lyrics and some background music. I on the other hand do not quite possess the Sinatra style, the Sinatra looks, or the Sinatra voice. Instead, l can present my perspective in the form of the "Fabulous Five F-words"; Freedom, Focus, Future, Friends, Fun.
We will begin with FREEDOM • To each, our own. As young adults closing the door of secondary school, we are now opening new doors, bigger doors, and a greater variety of doors into a completely new environment. A place where attendance is not recorded and homework checks do not occur. This atmosphere offers a great deal of freedom and choice in which endless opportunities will present themselves. But one must keep in mind that such freedom can be a liability in the sense that priorities may become unorganized. Be confident, be independent, be free, but@ the same time, maintain the ability to concentrate on what is most important to you.
The ability to FOCUS • (A certain quality that could use a little work in my life) An obvious fact in life is that we always start at the bottom and have to work our way to the top. We did it in elementary school, we did it here in CCI and now, whether we indulge ourselves in post secondary schooling or head into the working world, we have to do it again. This is not something we should see as being unfair, it is simply something that will make us stronger, and something that will truly introduce us to the notion of independence. The feeling of desire, followed by the feeling of success, because we have been able to focus on our goals, and achieve great results.