Your Own Path

Good afternoon, graduates, family, friends, and faculty. 

To celebrate this very special occasion, we should all take a look at what got us here in the first place. The story I’ll tell you today starts in my first year of kindergarten. 

You see, I took kindergarten twice and let me tell you, the second time around is much easier. During the second time around, you know where the crayons are, you know when lunchtime is, and you definitely know NOT to eat glue. But the first time I was in kindergarten, I was very outgoing and ambitious about my future. I didn’t know much– I didn’t even know my left from my right– I just knew I wanted to be rich. So what does anyone do when they don’t know anything in kindergarten? They ask the person next to them. 

So, that is what I did. I looked at the kid next to me and asked, “How do I get rich?” The girl next to me stared at me like I was asking for the meaning of life.  Eventually she replied, “The president is the richest person I know. He’s all over the TV.” And just like that, I was locked in on my destiny. 

Here I am, barely 5 years old, sitting in a classroom, in Litchfield Maine, thinking I am going to be president when I grow up. 

For my two exceptional years of kindergarten and my year in first grade, I was 100% set on becoming president. My speeches were written, my Campaigns were set, and I was ready to “rule the world” in my 7 year old mind. 

Then second grade came and with second grade, unfortunately I learned that being the president isn’t the gateway to being a professional freeloader. I’d have to deal with laws, congress, crisis, and that half the country will hate me no matter what. I thought to myself, “Wow, I really do not want to be the president.” I contemplated for probably a couple hours and shortly figured out about these people called business owners. I learned that some of them make more money than the president. I was astonished and intrigued with the idea of owning a business. Just like that, I was now 100% set on being a business owner. I could already see myself wearing a suit and bossing people around. I was the CEO of something, I just wasn’t sure what. 

As high school became a reality, I still had my dream in the back of my mind. I started taking business classes and from them I learned that running a business was way more than just looking important while holding a coffee. Marketing classes took me down an amazing path about teamwork, branding, and networking. There were also the occasional group projects that made me question my entire life. But you know what? I loved every part of it. Sure, it wasn’t the fantasy I drew up in my head– but it was mine. It was what I wanted to do. It was something I believed in. I didn’t have a plan– but I had a dream. And dreams change, but that is because  they are  supposed to– especially from when you are in kindergarten. 

Everyone has their opinions about what you can and can’t do. They hand you their own roadmaps saying which version of yourself will make them feel most comfortable. But here’s the truth of it: If you follow a map that’s not yours, don’t be surprised when you end up lost. You’re the one who wakes up in your body everyday and has to live with the choices that you make. So why not make those choices for yourself? 

Happiness is a choice and life isn’t about pleasing everyone. Not everyone will understand your happiness– and that’s okay. If someone finds happiness in something you don’t understand, and it doesn’t affect your life, let them be themselves. That’s not just kindness– that’s empathy. You don’t have to be loud to live life boldly. You just have to be honest with yourself. 

So graduates of 2025, whatever you’re doing next– going off to college, starting a career, or still trying to figure it all out– don’t wait for permission to be who you are. That’s your job and it’s in your power to go and chase your dreams. Even if you change your mind 5 times– well even if you repeat kindergarten, remember to live boldly and honestly. And above all– live by following your path.

Thank you and congratulations to the class of 2025.

Image Citation: “graduation” by Sean MacEntee is licensed under CC BY 2.0.