Blue Ridge Beauty

          photo by Raylyn

 

 

 

He spoke to his graduating class at Christiansburg High School (Christiansburg, Virginia), on Sunday, June 5, 2011. 

 

With a 4.27 grade point average, Aaron was chosen to give the Salutatory speech to congratulate and cheer on his fellow graduates.

 

 

 

 

 

Members of the Class of 2011, 

Distinguished Faculty and Staff, 

Parents, Family Members, 

and Special Guests,

 

First of all I'm honored to be here today, 

and thank you so much for this opportunity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seniors, we have reached the end of an era. During this time, our mind is thick with memories as we try to find out where the time has gone. Whether it's just reminiscing, talking to friends, or seeing pictures of ourselves; even freshman year seems ages ago. Sitting there in your seats, your mind can file through 13 years of history all the way up to this day, June 5^th, 2011, the end of high school. As we experience so many "last times," we reflect on some of our firsts and all the memorable ones in between. 

 

Our first day of middle school, first boyfriend or girlfriend, first day of high school, first SOLs, and so on. For some middle school memories, many of us looked forward to (or dreaded) Fridays because we got to play dodgeball in gym, or who we sat at lunch with, singing the same song every day. During the 8^th grade field day some of us were playing football, signing yearbooks, reminiscing, or trying to find out whether the SnoCone supply really was unlimited.

 

Then we stepped through the doors of the high school. Although never explicitly communicated, a sense of personal responsibility confronted us and demanded change.

 

 

 

No longer were adults holding our hand, but with that responsibility came a lot of freedoms as well. Hard decisions have a way of changing perspectives. The things you remember are the moments when you learned something.

 

 

 

 Proud  Dad

 

When we come to major crossroads, we have to make the best choice possible and if wrong, we can choose a different path the next time.

I have to believe that in the last 13 years I have figured some things out. Whether they are things I need to fix next time or things I need to capitalize on, something about me should have changed. In the words of a recent movie, "What's the point of all this, if you're not going to let it change you?"                                               

 

 

 

 Although we are moving on, we must never forget the lessons we have learned until this point:

 

        Being someone else is wasted time and wasted effort.                                                                                                                                                                                           

        Be the best you that you can be. 

 

        After all, as Shakespeare said, 

        "It is not in the stars to hold our destiny, but in ourselves."

        Character is who you are when no one is looking. 

 

        The little things often say the most about you.

 

              

 

Proud Mom     

 

Be the change you want to see in the world. Little can be done about the shortcomings of those around you. Rather than sit in judgment or complain, show by example the values and traits you wish to see in others.

 

As Frank A. Clark said, "If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." There will be obstacles, but what makes us strong is the little things inside us that we hold on to (virtue, integrity, character). Have faith in something!  If nothing else, have faith that what you do today will provide for a better tomorrow.

 

 

Some of us have found something we love to do more than 

anything else and want to pursue that after high school.

If you haven't, I would encourage you to find it. 

Howard Thurman said, "Don't ask what the world needs. 

Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. 

Because what the world needs is people who have come alive!"

 

Sing like no one is listening! Dance like no one is around! 

Paint the unique masterpiece that only you can create.

The joy with which you live your life inspires others 

to truly live as well.

 

The 'Grad', flanked by his sisters

 

 

 

One of the joys of graduating

is the chance to look back

and to see where we have come from, 

what we did to get here, 

and discover what to do next. 

We get to ask ourselves, 

"How will they remember me? 

Did I choose to love?

Did I make a mark on things?"                                                                                      

       

Every graduate in this room has left a legacy 

at Christiansburg High School, 

and as a member of the class of 2011, 

I want to say that I am very proud of all 

the accomplishments and achievements 

that our class has attained. 

Whether in athletics, academics, fine arts, 

or any other area, our class has exceeded      

expectations like no class before. 

 

You have set an example that will be very hard 

for future classes to follow. 

As I have seen you reach for and achieve success, 

I would challenge you, don't let up. 

 

 

 

Don't strive for just good enough; 

 

continue to strive for excellence. 

 

Don't compare yourselves to other people 

 

to judge your success,

 

 just ask yourselves if you are doing 

 

the very best that you can. 

 

Give all that you have and hold nothing back. 

 

 

          Congratulations Class of 2011!          

 

 

 

 

 

 

[We conclude with the "signature" on the email which sent us 

the text of Aaron's speech. 

It expresses the foundation, the "rock" on which

this family has built its life.]

 

Let us not try to live SO THAT God will love us, but live BECAUSE we know he loves us....

 

He demonstrated his love for us in that while we were still sinners... Christ died for us.