Wow. Its hard to believe that this is it. We all thought this day would never come! But here we are graduation. It seems like only yesterday that we were mere freshman, terrified of heading into big, bad high school. Fortunately, we didnt get picked on as much because everyone was just as busy as we were trying to find their way around this brand new school.

As we learned our way down to the 300 hall, we also found our home here – in these halls, this gym, the band room, the cafeteria, and the athletic fields. The kids who went to Campobello mixed easily with those who grew up around Landrum. As we were joined by a couple Floridians and John from Nebraska, we blossomed not only as friends, but as family.

That sense of family is strong in this area. Although most times we wont admit it, our community has been a pretty comfortable place to grow up. Our roots are strong, like a tall oak tree. While these roots do ground us, they dont tie us down. Now is that time when were pushed out of our nests and forced to find our own way in this world. When I was little, my dad used to quote a poem by Langston Hughes. It goes like this:

Hold fast to dreams

For if dreams die

Life is like a broken winged bird

That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams

For if dreams go

Life is like a barren field

Frozen with snow.

Class of 2010, I urge you to discover your dreams and fly. Fly, fly, flyyyy. Find what it is that makes you truly happy. Dont ever settle; dont ever compromise. Break free from what is comfortable. Reach for the highest star in the sky; soar to the heavens. I know you can! Each and every one of you has shown that you have the potential to do something amazing. You just have to search for it within yourself. Dont shy away from difficulties. Hold fast, always hold fast to your dreams. But at the same time, remember your roots, remember your family here this class of 2010. Thank you teachers, thank you parents, thank you family fellow graduates – friends. Thank you for making this a place Im proud to call my home. I love you all.