Matthew M. Roy

Valedictorian Williamson 1W5

Commencement Address by Senior Class President

I brought along a prop: the student handbook, aka The Rule Book. I will admit, Mr. Moffit, (Dean of Student Affairs) this looks much smaller than it did freshman year. Then again, everything seems smaller since freshman year. Guys, (addressing fellow graduates) this is not a trick question. Does this rule book directly apply to you once you receive your diploma? No. That is correct. You are no longer held to the same standard as you were during your time here at Williamson. Let me ask you another question. Since you were held to a redefined standard when you entered Williamson, is it possible to say that you will also be held to a redefined standard as you now enter a new phase of your life? Yes. Let me be so bold as to take that logic to the next step. You will be held to a standard, by others around you, but most importantly by yourself.

My dad has a saying: “Matt, that's just a fact of life.” You know, for a while I thought that was just something my dad said when he was making a point. But after a while I began to see a pattern emerge, when he would say, “that's just a fact of life.” The principle that he was teaching would be consistent in all areas of life. Some people would call these maxims; others say that they are the rules of nature. But, let me explain. Everyone should know this one, and shout out if you do, “What goes up...” And, “Water follows the path....” There you go! Now, Williamson men, “Don't walk on the...(grass).” And, “Don't step on the …. (seal).” Those are easy, and we all should know them. But how about the ones that are not written down, how about the rules of life: maxims by which to live. We all know the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” That is a great one, but do we ever apply it to our lives?

     Rules are so much easier to obey when you are not worried about where the line is. Has anybody else ever noticed that? To this day I'm not entirely sure what the failing grade is, I just made sure that I aimed for the highest possible grade I could achieve. I never had to worry about how many hours I had left before they kicked me out, I just tried to never get any. The same thing applies to our lives.If you strive to be a man of faith, you won't have to worry about what others think. If you strive to be a man of integrity, you won't have to worry about people not trusting you. If you strive to be diligent in all areas of life, you will never be called lazy. If excellence is your aspiration, mediocrity will never be acceptable. If you are a servant to those around you, selfishness will no longer be your biggest challenge.

     If you are a man of character, you won't have to worry about how far down you are, because you are only looking at the next step ahead. Let me say that a different way, if you are a Williamson man of character, you won't worry about how close to the cliff you can slide, because you are as far away from it as you can be. A poor work ethic will never be a problem, because you are putting all of your effort to be the hardest working man on the team.
     Don't be a man that tries to apply the principles when it is convenient and easy...own them! That means when hard times come, you try harder. That means when you have to make a choice that seems impossible, you don't give up until you have seen the task through. That means when you fail. You will get back up and run faster. That means when you don't know the answer, you run and find it. When you own your principles, you don't have to worry about anyone else around you, because you know that you are consistently doing what is right.A man of character will accept who he is, and take responsibility for who he will become. 
     You control the outcome of your life, we are all given the gift of free will, and it is the daily choices that we make that set us apart. It is not the circumstances around you that determine the kind of man you are, it is what you do with the circumstances in which you have been placed that demonstrate the man you truly are.That means, Freshmen, when you are the only one that seems to be trying; it won't matter to you; because you are looking straight ahead to your goals. That means, Juniors, you will take a stand as the leader. Why? Because you are a man with principles and that is the only option. And that is why, Seniors, all of you can succeed; because failure is not in your vocabulary. We simply will never know what it is life to fall and not to get back up because we have the determination to push harder. Be a man of character, and nobody will ever doubt that you are a Williamson man.