From the editor: Let the speeches commence

I’m not sure what to make of commencement addresses. In the imagination of those hopeful for words that inspire a lifetime of achievement, they might equal John F. Kennedy’s “New Generation” speech, Ronald Reagan exhorting the Soviets to “tear down this wall” or—at the very least—a good old fashioned rousing halftime talk by the likes of Knute Rockne.

Of course, I have no memory of my high school graduation address. I don’t even know who stood behind the microphone that day. The words presented at the end of my undergraduate years, from none other than the college president, sticks in my mind only for the speaker’s decision to cite the Everly Brothers to send us into the future … only he pronounced the group’s name as “Eeeverly.”

I’m not sure what life advice we could have gleaned from “Cathy’s Clown,” “Bird Dog” or “All I Have to Do Is Dream” anyway.

Unless one is fortunate enough to hear from a witty celebrity or an earnest political or business leader, my experience is closer to reality. Commencement addresses are well meant, but end up as little more than a tradition to be endured, a quarter turn of the clock to suffer before the celebration begins.

The comic strip Doonesbury once parodied this tradition when the character of President King stood before the assembled mortarboards and presented the speech in outline form:

“Platitudes, pontifications, a rehash of what I’ve said every year. But with a wry joke. Two sweeping statements. Dramatic pause, eye contact. A call for action …”

Perhaps I’m a bit too hard on those asked to take the podium on graduation day. What can you say in 15 minutes to a room full of 18-year-olds that might encourage them toward greatness?

Well, there’s no real need. I may not recall a bit of my high school commencement address. But I know by heart the challenges set out by Mrs. Randolph, our journalism instructor, who could balance the threat of a very painful dismemberment if we missed deadline with sincere praise for a well-crafted story. Then there was Mrs. Simshauser, who pushed students to delve deeper into world history and trusted us to meet her expectations.

My dad, our baseball coach in summer leagues, focused on fundamentals and imposed one rule on the team: never criticize a teammate for mistakes, because we all make them. He once watched us drop a game through overconfidence to the worst club in the league. Afterward he gathered us together and merely said “I hope you learned something.”

My mom’s minister listened as young people interpreted passages in their own manner. He treated their theological knowledge as if it were as valuable as his own. He gave them confidence to disagree, to debate and to listen in a realm were many people dig in their heels.

You see, from kindergarten through 12th grade, students have been urged, cajoled, inspired and more by a series of teachers, coaches, school administrators, parents, ministers and peers. Add in those who lead such activities as 4-H, and the importance of a few words fades into the background.

Teachers, parents and others impart life experience, decision-making skills, confidence and more. Long before the microphone flicks on, students have been inspired to pursue something in the future—college, a job, the military or work on the panhandle’s ranches and farms.

How can you compress all of that into a few chosen words? Well, it may not be possible after millions of words and actions over 18 years. All the speaker can do is add a few more.

Graduation is a day to be celebrated, speech and all.